The Ear Drum

On a warm Tuesday afternoon, a small group gathers around the Turlington rock. Two girls and around three guys pull out guitars and start singing, but they migrate under Turlington’s overhang when rain comes, where they continue singing and playing.

This group is the Singer-Songwriter Society, hence forth referred to as 3S, a UF club that focuses on bringing solo musicians together to perform and find an outlet for music.

“I realized there was no place for non-music majors to get together and express themselves,” said Demario Hardman-Fort, the president of the organization.

The group, which has been around since 2009, has around 30 to 40 members, but Hardman-Fort says they have never done a proper tally. He said 3S is not only a place to make friendships, but also a place to learn how to get farther in music.

“We give information on how to find links into the music industry,” said Hardman-Fort. “And you’ll have someone to come back to if you make it big.”

The group performs all over campus and Gainesville, including a frequent open mic night at the Orange and Brew. 

3S is also contacted by other student organizations when they want music for an event. Hardman-Fort said they’ve played at events for the Black Student Union, a Women’s History Month performance, and a future performance for an event held by the Progressive Black Men.

“It’s about promoting music and helping each other out,” said Vice-President Valerie Panting. 

Panting says that they match singers with instrumentalists, and that they can make lifelong friends here. It was easy to see, as everyone performing looked excited and full of energy.

When Panting introduced me to Hardman-Fort, she gave him a giant embrace and said that he had ‘saved her life’. After seeing their passion for their organization, it’s hard to not believe her.

To learn more about 3S, visit their Facebook page.