The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: Variety

HARMS

Anna Harms is a budding media guru. The incoming freshman from Gainesville created a mixtape music exchange group on Facebook which, as of press time, had almost 600 members.

The concept is simple: Incoming freshmen who join the group are encouraged to first invite all of their friends who will also be attending the University in the fall.

Harms then randomly pairs up members of the group by posting their names together for everyone to see.

The pairs connect on Facebook, exchange addresses and send each other their favorite playlist or mix CD.

"While not everyone's musical interests are the same, I do think that music is something we all have in common," Harms said.

But Harms' musical taste is something in which everyone in the group could find a similarity.

She installed a Sirius radio in her car where she said she likes to tune in to '60s pop and hip-hop channels.

Her iPod is packed with more than 2,050 songs. Harms said she felt like this was a perfect opportunity to share her passion for diverse music and meet her fellow classmates.

"From some stories I've heard, the other freshmen are really enjoying this exchange," Harms said.

For example, Ashley Davis from Locust Grove was surprised when she found out her and her randomly picked partner graduated from rival high schools.

"We just laughed it off, though," she said.

Kate Mathews from Fairfield, Conn., said her mixtape partner was coincidentally in her orientation group.

Drew Davis from Bexley, Ohio, was paired with an incoming football linebacker.

Although Davis admitted to being unathletic, the freshmen shared music and found such common ground that they plan to meet as friends in the fall.

Some of the mixes include an expected choice of music: some of the most popular pop and rock tunes from the last few decades.

However, others are an impressive grab-bag of tastes: local Corey Smith, Sara Bareilles and the occasional eclectic choice. Anna Tankard from Macon was thrilled to see a Radiohead song show up on her mix, as she gave her partner a collection of MGMT tracks.

This group of freshmen has exemplified an enthusiasm for camaraderie that is apparent in the personal messages sent to Harms:

"I just wanted to say that music is basically my life," wrote Denver Blackwell from Kansas City, Mo. "Even my Facebook statuses are mostly song lyrics."

Rebbecca Pogue, a music lover from Atlanta, sent Harms a message that said, "The whole experience really broadened my horizons."

Through skimming the Facebook group's wall, the gratification and excitement about Harms' idea is evident.

The challenge may be in getting these newcomers to put down their laptops, take out their earbuds and sample the sounds and sights of live music in their new college town.

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