"Silent Night" has never had such soul. During a rehearsal in the Wilson College music room Tuesday, four female voices seamlessly blended to create a unique rendition of the Christmas classic.
A group favorite, the song is a trademark of Culturally Yours, Princeton's only all black, all female a cappella group.
Like Black History Month, which extends through February, the many black student groups on campus — ranging from Bible study to theater — represents more than a distinct racial heritage.
"That's not what we're about — not just being black and being female," said Sahtiya Logan '04, the president of Culturally Yours. "It's about the music that you sing, and the passion you have for it."
The group was founded 10 years ago when a group of African- American students decided the University's a cappella groups "all sounded very homogenous," said Mia Powell '03, music director for the group.
In response, they created their own brand of a cappella, singing songs by composers of African-American descent.
Black organizations at the University first flourished in the '80s and '90s in response to criticism that Princeton did not foster a friendly environment for minorities.The groups aimed to encourage black student involvement on campus and to create a sense of support and security that many feel the University still lacks.
Deborah Blanks, the University's assistant dean of religious life, acts as chaplain of Hallelujah, a 12-year-old Christian service attended predominantly by minority students. The organization encourages students to "cheer from the heart, feel the support and affirmation of community" that they might not find elsewhere, she said.
"I definitely feel that we are meeting the needs of students on campus," Hallelujah president Treisha Edwards '02 said.
The Black Student Union acts as an umbrella organization for African-American students on campus, and a "safety net" providing social opportunities and academic advice to freshmen and sophomores, said Stephen Caldwell '04, BSU's newly elected projects chair.
In addition to providing guidance and support to black undergraduates, the BSU orchestrates a number of activities ranging from service trips to homeless shelters to ski vacations.
Though they were originally founded to meet the needs of African-American students, in recent years black student organizations have embraced a more racially mixed membership.

Culturally Yours emphasized that they welcome people of all races into the group. At auditions last week, the girls said they were excited that a Caucasian student had tried out in the fall.
Princeton's Rho Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, an 87-year-old national sorority for black women, also encourages members of all races to join, said Maisha Robinson '02, the sorority's secretary.
While Robinson said the sorority was important to her as a minority on a predominantly white campus, she added that Delta Sigma Theta is not exclusive.
"We're open to everybody," she said. "[The club] is a lifetime commitment to community service, not so much the social aspect."
The BSU and Hallelujah have already attracted students of different backgrounds, including last year's treasurer, who was white.
Members of the minority groups said they want to be defined not by the race of their members, but by what they accomplish.
"We don't have to be an all black group," Powell said. "Our music will speak for itself."