Serenades: A Tradition of Music and Memories

Serenades, when the Traveling Men and their sister-school counterparts entertain the community by singing to dumbfounded students, is a longstanding tradition around Valentine's Day. As much as people hear the serenadeds’ perspective, many do not understand the day of these vocal superstars, including a busy four-hour schedule of serenades, multiple sing-offs, and a lovely lunch to end a day full of surprises.

According to Serenaders, one significant part of the serenades is the comical experience it provides the singers. Zachary Fader, ‘25, shared a story about when he serenaded a girl he knew junior year and proceeded to stumble on all his words. It was funny, but Zach loved most that he serenaded the same girl this year, and it made for an amusing sequel. Zach explained, “When you don’t know the person, you can have fun with it, but you don’t want to make it too awkward for them. With a friend, you’re on your knee and holding their hand, and it is altogether a great time.” A member of Bryn Mawr’s Dayseye, Evie Burke ‘26, shared her time serenading a student in Mr. Slutkin’s ‘17 freshman class: “It’s always funny, especially with the guys, because they get uncomfortable.” Overall, the lighthearted and awkward serenades make the tradition memorable and entertaining for everyone involved. 

One of the unknown traditions of Valentine’s Day is that the schools have a sing-off. Derick Su ‘25 said, “We will have a sing-off with RPCS between first and second period, and then Bryn Mawr, at least last year, gathered in their quad area, right outside the cafeteria, and did a sing-off in front of many people, which was fun.” The sing-offs have significant energy, talent, and passion. They should be advertised so students can gather and watch the singing groups compete. 

Finally, serenades are an excellent chance for talented singers to bond with each other in a shared passion. Derick spoke about the lunch the Traveling Men enjoy after the serenades: “We go out to lunch after as a group, and we just get to spend a bunch of time together. And it’s always entertaining.” This year, they dined at the Food Court in Towson Mall. Serenades showcase musical talent and foster camaraderie and lasting memories among the singers. 

While Serenades are ultimately filled with positivity and joy, a few issues were described by the folks at Gilman. At Gilman, faculty and staff are not heavily incorporated into the festivity. The first limitation is that Gilman faculty cannot be serenaded. Derick Su understands the reasoning behind this, but believes that this change would create a more inclusive space: “It’s great to include [the teachers] because they’re always just the ones watching.” The other complication is that teachers schedule assessments on this special day. Zach believes it is unfair and improper to serenade during a test, so they let the teachers know beforehand. The issue is, “Teachers will do tests. They won’t let us know.” Only Mr. Gouline, who would not comment on serenades, refuses to open his doors to singers. Despite these challenges, serenades remain a cherished tradition highlighting community and joy.

As described by Zachary Fader, “Everyone loves them, and I think everyone loves to see them walk around, and everyone gets a laugh out of it in their way.”