The placid pipings of an a cappella group wafted over Ho Plaza during a humid June 5 lunch hour. The source of the sonorous sortie were five members of The Sherwoods, having alighted here after their annual migratory return trip to Cornell, where they will flock this year in numbers of up to 57 singers for their 50th anniversary.

The Sherwoods are Cornell alumni who, for the love of song, perform each year on Reunion Weekend. But this year is special: The group was formed in 1958 by renegade choristers who left the Glee Club to follow their own drummer, so to speak.

On June 5 during Cornell Reunion 2008, five members stood outside the Willard Straight Hall entrance crooning among themselves for practice and for the benefit of passersby. An office window above them cranked open, and the voice of an invisible staffer could be heard offering compliments.

The five, who called themselves members of the "younger" Sherwoods were: Bob Berger '71, Mike Morris '72, Ron Johnson '68, David Good '67 and Michael Kinney '66.

While the entire group will perform they also will break into small ensembles and play the role of reunion troubadours.

Under "Memories" on the Class of '58 Reunion Plans, The Sherwoods are cited four times, so group members have their work cut out for them.

With the promise of a sultry celebration ahead, it was a good day to practice out-of-doors. And, as festivities get under way, The Sherwoods will wander singing their hearts out and wetting their whistles, anon.