Recently, a committee was formed around the purpose of commemorating Lee’s musical history in the first ever Lee University Songbook.

The songbook will be the result of a combined effort by Phi Mu Alpha (Lee’s male music fraternity), Sigma Alpha Iota (Lee’s female music sorority), the School of Music and the Student Life Office.

“I’m really impressed with these two music fraternities coming together and doing this,” said Dr. Walt Maudlin, vice president for student life.

According to senior Andrew Morgan, member of Phi Mu Alpha, fraternity President Jason Vawter was the one who came up with the idea.

Vawter was inspired to begin the project while collecting songbooks himself. Over time, he began to wonder why Lee did not have one.

Morgan attributed the absence of a Lee songbook to the decrease in popularity songbooks have experienced over time as well as the small number of songs written about Lee – so far.

Morgan said songs that will probably be included in the songbook are Lee’s alma mater, Greek clubs’ songs and hymns that have become special to Lee.

Other groups who can expect to have songs included are the choirs on campus. Maudlin advised that the choirs on campus should submit songs that are representative of the group’s history.

Songs that have been used throughout Lee’s history will also be included, said Mauldin. These song would include “Great is thy faithfulness,” “Beyond open door” and “Bind us together.”

The songbook is currently set to hold 100-200 songs.

While the songbook will have great historical value, it will also serve further purposes.

According to Vawter, the purpose is “to foster school spirit… for students and alumni.”

For Mauldin the purpose was to help remember Lee’s past and present though music as well as to understand Lee’s “musical culture.”

Morgan said the songbook would be a “great snapshot of Lee’s history through music.”

The song selection committee is set to begin organizing the songbook toward the middle of next semester.

This committee will include members from Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota, as well as Mauldin, Darlia Conn, other faculty and students; the committee maintains the goal of acquiring the help of people from different backgrounds.

An event that those involved in the songbook project are looking forward to with great anticipation is the songwriting competition. For those who are interested in composing a song and being published, this competition will allow students to submit their work and the winning songs will be included in the book. Entries can be about clubs or departments on campus.

An informational meeting will be held concerning the competition on Nov. 20. Students interested in competing should keep a look out for fliers about the songwriting competition.

If things go well, the songbook committee hopes that the finished product will be available by Homecoming 2009.