New Singer director brings fresh energy to alma mater
By: Kristen Layne
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
Roddey Smith, a sophomore Singer who has experienced two years of Vick's leadership, became excited about Floyd after he led a Furman Singers rehearsal last semester. "He had a lot of energy," Smith said. "I really like his conducting style; he's very visual."
As much as students look forward to the innovation and change a new director will bring, there are certain traditions that they hope to remain the same despite the change of leadership.
"Furman Singers should progress and it will change, but there are certain things that make it unique," said Stacks, citing such traditions as the singing of "Brown Eyes" and the tours as important parts of the Singers experience.
Mark Helms, a freshman Singer, is among those comforted by the fact that, as an alumni, Floyd already has a sense of the group's connection.
"I think that since he is a former Furman Singer, he knows a lot of things that Singers do," said Helms. "I think it'll make the transition a lot easier."
Floyd said he does not want to overhaul Singers, but to "keep the best of the past as we move forward."
Just the fact that he is a different personality brings with it different temperament and tastes, Floyd said. He hopes to expand the repertoire of the Singers to include more 20th and 21st century music and expand the touring tradition to include "more exotic destinations" like South America and the Pacific Rim.
Floyd also said he wants the group to do more performances in actual concert halls and do some trips that combine singing and a service project.
"When the group travels together it changes the dynamic," said Floyd, who remembers the Furman Singers tours as key college experiences. "There's a real bonding dynamic when you're spending so much time together, whether for good or for ill."
Any changes he brings in will not come into effect immediately. "It's been running so well, there'll be enough changes with just a change in personality," he said.
Floyd is ready to embrace the challenges and changes coming to Furman will bring. "It's home for me," he said. Not only did he attend the university, but, as a native of Greer, S.C., Floyd attended the Furman strings camp several times in elementary school.
He said his experience with the search committee was fundamental in his desire to return. "There's a warmth to Furman, a positive energy, a light to the place," he said. "I want to be a part of that."
As much as students look forward to the innovation and change a new director will bring, there are certain traditions that they hope to remain the same despite the change of leadership.
"Furman Singers should progress and it will change, but there are certain things that make it unique," said Stacks, citing such traditions as the singing of "Brown Eyes" and the tours as important parts of the Singers experience.
Mark Helms, a freshman Singer, is among those comforted by the fact that, as an alumni, Floyd already has a sense of the group's connection.
"I think that since he is a former Furman Singer, he knows a lot of things that Singers do," said Helms. "I think it'll make the transition a lot easier."
Floyd said he does not want to overhaul Singers, but to "keep the best of the past as we move forward."
Just the fact that he is a different personality brings with it different temperament and tastes, Floyd said. He hopes to expand the repertoire of the Singers to include more 20th and 21st century music and expand the touring tradition to include "more exotic destinations" like South America and the Pacific Rim.
Floyd also said he wants the group to do more performances in actual concert halls and do some trips that combine singing and a service project.
"When the group travels together it changes the dynamic," said Floyd, who remembers the Furman Singers tours as key college experiences. "There's a real bonding dynamic when you're spending so much time together, whether for good or for ill."
Any changes he brings in will not come into effect immediately. "It's been running so well, there'll be enough changes with just a change in personality," he said.
Floyd is ready to embrace the challenges and changes coming to Furman will bring. "It's home for me," he said. Not only did he attend the university, but, as a native of Greer, S.C., Floyd attended the Furman strings camp several times in elementary school.
He said his experience with the search committee was fundamental in his desire to return. "There's a warmth to Furman, a positive energy, a light to the place," he said. "I want to be a part of that."