Our Arguments to Penn State (some ideas)

Singing Lions is not just another music ensemble in the School of Music. We teach valuable life skills, not just for those of us who pursue performing careers, but for all of us in all sorts of professions.

SLs teach team work--we all load in shows; we are the tech crew, we are the band, we are the singers and dancers.
SLs teach the value of persistence, hard work, and attention to detail
SLs teach preparation, preparation, preparation--If we prepare extremely well for what we expect, we not only survive the unexpected but actually face the unexpected with grace, dignity, and grand success--A very important life lesson.
SLs are Penn State Ambassadors--Who else at Penn State does all of what the Singing Lions does in such a small self contained unit? We present visually and aurally entertaining stage shows, travel around Pennsylvania and the country visiting with Penn State alumni on and off stage, encourage high school students, entertain senior citizens, pump up Penn State pride at football games . . .
SLs instill confidence--Each show we do is different--length, song order, stage size, lights, no lights, risers, no risers, outside, inside. We perform under constantly changing conditions. The older members show the younger members the ropes and they in turn teach the next round of new Lions. This perpetual dynamic and sense of family is one of the significant reasons the Singing Lions have improved so much over the years
SLs teach presentation skills: SLs alumni are doctors, and attorneys, and teachers, and social workers, and sales reps, and business consultants, and, yes, performers--many, if not most of us, deal with the "public" in our respective fields. I know we all have benefited from our Singing Lions presentation experience. It matters not that we're tired from two earlier "shows." We have to be "on stage" 100% for our "audience." They would expect nothing less. Nor should they.

Questions

Why must the Singing Lions struggle each year for funding?
Must other music ensembles do the same?
Why must we struggle and beg when we give so much back to the university and alumni communities?

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