As the current season of Glee comes to a close, Ohio University’s a cappella groups perform to fill the void.
Saturday, five of Ohio University’s a cappella groups will perform at the 10th annual Ohio University A Cappella Invitational.
The invitational is a concert that marks the only formal instance each year when all a cappella groups on campus perform for one another. That is exciting not only for the audience, but for the groups involved, said Jonathan Head, a member of Leading Tones, an all-male group that began with members of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity.
“I’m most looking forward to the other groups because most of us haven’t had a chance to hear them,” he said. “It’s a nice change to listen to the other groups and have a chance to what they’ve been doing.”
The groups on campus range from all-female groups like Title IX — made up of some members of OU’s Women’s Chorale and The Tempo Tantrums, an entirely extracurricular group — to all-male groups like the concert’s presenters, Section 8, an ensemble made up of some members of Singing Men of Ohio to the co-ed group, New Chords on the Block.
While some groups are part of the School of Music, others, like Leading Tones, are separate, which Head said makes the experience of the group more relaxed.
“We don’t really have any boundaries,” he said. “We like the idea of the Leading Tones being something we do for fun and not have to stress about it.”
Each group will perform several songs from their “highlight reel” of the year, said Andy Blum, a member of Section 8.
“My favorite part of the invitational every year is seeing the pieces that the other groups are premiering,” Blum said. “All the groups show off their best stuff and generally save a song to debut at the invitational. They really work their tails off to make it fantastic.”
Audiences at the concert can expect pop songs in the usual style of groups, and while some of the set lists remain secret, the groups will perform tunes from popular artists such as Adele, Michael Buble, John Mayer and more.
“This year proves to be one of the biggest and best lineups in recent memory, and we already have some very exciting things in the works for the show,” said Ryan Norris, a member of Section 8.
If You Go:
What: The 10th annual Ohio University A Cappella Invitational presented by Section 8
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Admission: Free
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