Ashanti Alexander
Staff Writer
The Jackson State University community was treated to a performance by a group of young men in the Legacy Dining Hall on Valentine’s Day. Their name, the College Impalas, is as interesting as the “vintage” way they sang songs such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “In the Still of the Night.”
The singing group was formed by long-time Jackson State Professor Marshall Longmire, who has taught physical science for 35 years at JSU.
“The College Impalas started off as a high school group who named themselves the Impalas. It was originally a quartet.
“I started singing in a quartet at an early age and that inspired me to start a singing group of my own,” said Longmire. “I started the College Impalas at Jackson State in 1996.”
Justin Spencer, a senior music education major from St. Louis, Mo., has been a part of the College Impalas for a year.
“Every moment I spend with the group is a memorable one. From us joking around to us getting yelled at, we always have fun.”
The group does not charge for performances.
“I raise money for the College Impalas,” said Longmire. “I don’t charge for performances because I love what I do and that is why I do it for no profit.”
The College Impalas perform in many churches and local venues. According to Longmire, the group sings mostly hymns, spirituals, popular “doo wop” songs, and patriotic songs.
“We try to sing what is appropriate for the occasion,” said Longmire.
Spencer said, “I love the song choices because you won’t hear the selections anywhere else unless you have an old vintage record.”
Longmire said he has only recruited one person out of the group he has now.
“I allow the guys to recruit other guys,” he said.
Christopher Cathey, a junior biology/pre-dentistry major from Senatobia, Miss., is the one person recruited by Longmire.
“I have always had a passion for singing. I sing with a similar group at home and when Dr. Longmire recruited me I was excited to get started.”
Christopher Funches, a junior civil engineering major from Jackson, Miss., has been a part of the College Impalas for one year.
“I became a part of this group because I felt like they were a group of young men who were doing something they love to do and coming together for a common interest. I wanted to be a part of that,” said Funches.
Spencer, Cathey, and Funches all agree that they love the positive and welcoming feedback that they receive from the audience when they perform.
“How could these young men not get positive feedback being so fine-tuned and well-groomed,” asked Longmire, as he describes his expectations of the College Impalas.
