The Summit Singers, an exclusive a cappella men’s group at St. Thomas, will use a $1,300 grant from the Undergraduate Student Government to put on a Christmas concert.

USG Vice President of Financial Affairs Anne George said USG usually does not fund exclusive clubs; however, she said the Summit Singers fit the rules for an exception.

According to Campus Life’s club and organization handbook, “exclusive organizations are not eligible for funding. But, they may be eligible to receive limited USG funding for a project or event if it is opened to all students and advertised throughout campus.”

George said the Summit Singers fit the guidelines for several reasons.

“We thought that this met that guideline, and this concert has attracted over 400 St. Thomas students,” George said. “It seemed like a great event.”

Junior Danny Glass, a Summit Singers co-founder, said the singing group started out with nine men from St. Thomas’ choir two years ago. After it became more popular, the group applied for and attained club status last fall.

Glass said the Summit Singers asked USG for the $1,300 because they wanted this year’s Christmas concert to appear more professional than last year’s.

“We wanted to have the proper lighting, because we, as performers, really strive for the best that we can get,” Glass said. “The audience can come out and say, ‘None of the sound was choppy; the lighting was beautiful. The group looked great up there.’”

George said USG is happy to sit down with all clubs to discuss funding.

“I think all clubs at St. Thomas are deserving of funds. They’re all doing great things for our students,” George said.

Freshman Robbie Ellingson said she would like to see the concert.

“I would love to see that concert,” Ellingson said. “If it’s anything like ‘Pitch Perfect,’ you can bet I’ll be there.”

Junior Taylor Hawkins said he isn’t a fan of a cappella music.

“I would not (see the Summit Singers) because I do not enjoy singing concerts,” Hawkins said.

Glass said he is excited for students to see a show they would actually want to see.

“When going to a show, you go to a show for the costumes, you go for the lighting, for the sound, and then you’re there for the performance too, so it (the funding) really all ties into we want out our concert to be,” Glass said.

Kayla Bengtson can be reached at beng2004@stthomas.edu.