by Sophie Hilker ’20
Unprecedented times call for creative measures, so says the staff of Chanter, Macalester’s premiere literary magazine. Usually, the staff print and publish physical copies of new issues and host a launch party after publication, a soiree that includes live music, fancy hors d’oeuvres, and readings and presentations from student writers and artists published in the newest edition, and a featured English professor.
When it became clear that the usual festivities had become untenable, rather than postpone publication, Chanter staff rose to the occasion and continued to hold regular meetings over Zoom, discussing submissions, designing layouts, and planning for their first ever digital launch. Though the magazine has been uploading new issues to their website since Fall 2015, this occasion marks the first ever online-only publication for Chanter. After utilizing the platform for org meetings, Chanter staff saw Zoom’s potential for ever larger gatherings, and successfully hosted a virtual launch party for their Spring 2020 issue during the evening of April 25, 2020.
The issue is now available for viewing on their website chantermagazine.com, along with a back catalogue of recent past editions. Their spring magazine features some incredible poetry and prose by Macalester English Department students, so check it out!
The English Department would like to commend and thank the entire staff of Chanter: Ema Erikson; Maya Crowl-Kinney; Teddy Holt; Maria Bodansky; Asher de Forest; Alice Asch; Lily Duquette; Aron Smith-Donovan; Cynthia Aguilar; Audrey Bentch; Cole Galvando; Josh Groven; Sydney Jones; Mary Liebers; Xotchil Quiroz; Ella Rehman; Tobie Schecter; Kira Shukar; Irene Schulte; Hannah Staats; Libby Sykes; Estelle Timar-Wilcox; and Jonah Wexler; in addition to all those without whom Chanter would not exist, and all the authors and artists who contributed their creative works to the Spring 2020 edition for bringing some light to readers during these dark times.