The V-8's of Mount Holyoke College (circa 1958)

From left to right, front row: Turner, Buckley, Escrive, Borton, Taft, Tarpy
back row: Sample, Trowbridge, Stoneback, Hakewessell, Shanley, Hodge, Karnan, Edwards, Perry

First Sopranos: Marcia Buckley 1958, Wakeman, Ohio Betsy Hakewessell 1960, West Hartford, Conn. Marilyn Tarpy 1958, West Hartford, Conn. Second Sopranos: Jackie Escrive 1960, Buenos Aires, Argentina Barbie Karnan 1958, Williamsport, Pa. Judy Perry 1958, Director, Wynnewood, Pa. Laird Trowbridge 1958, New York, N.Y.

First Altos: Tommie Borton 1958, Philadelphia, Pa. Sara Hodge 1959, Wilmington, Del. Tilda Sample 1958, Pittsburg, Pa. Lanny Stoneback 1959, Bethlehem, Pa. Second Altos: Ardie Edwards 1958, Johnstown, Pa. Nini Shanley 1960, Short Hills, N.J. Linda Taft 1958, Business Mgr., Mt. Vernon, N.Y. Helen Turner 1959, Secretary, Seattle, Wash.

To the general Mount Holyoke community, "the V-8's" calls to mind that gang of girls who disappear periodically into the back room at the C.I. [College Inn] to drink free coffee and talk and sing. An occasional visitor to rehearsal, discovering that all three processes go on simultaneously, shrugs his shoulders and crosses his fingers for a bearable performance. But somehow this group, already established for over a decade, seems ready to sustain itself for several more. Started during World War II to entertain both civilians on campus and enlisted men in nearby armed forces bases, the "Victory Eights" have built up a college tradition of singing. Numbers like "Sweet Sue" and "Holyoke Blues" are passed on solemnly to each new V-8 member and no questions are asked. Through the years notes, rhythms, and words may be changed unintentionally, but the spirit behind the songs remains intact. Often one of the V-8's appears with a new arrangement which is quickly assimilated into a growing repertoire. For, counterbalancing the talking, knitting, and coffee drinking is a sound musical sense, enthusiasm and a love of singing.

When the time comes to present these arrangements rehearsed at the C.I., the V-8's have ample outlet for their talents. They sing for Mount Holyoke alumnae and friends, for the faculty, administration, and the students. Formally, informally, spontaneously, or strictly rehearsed they perform at dances, dinners, octet concerts, and parties. They have been found in Boston, Williamstown, Saratoga Springs, Providence, Princeton, Wellesley, Northampton, and Amherst. And finally, they have made a record. Minus the click of needles and the clink of coffee cups, we present the V-8's.