Auditions for many of the University of Minnesota’s a cappella groups started this week, in preparation for upcoming concerts and competitions.
For all a cappella groups on campus, one of the biggest competitions is the International Championship of Collegiate Acapella (ICCA) in January, a competition made popular by the movie “Pitch Perfect.”
Sophie Beyer, president of gender-inclusive a cappella group Urban Sound, said competing at the ICCAs ranks among her favorite memories throughout her time in the group, specifically when it was announced that Urban Sound had moved on to the semifinals last year.
“All of us just started crying and screaming and celebrating and it was such an amazing high moment,” Beyer said. “I’ll remember that forever because that was just an amazing night.”
To get to that high moment of performing at the ICCAs, some groups like Basses Wild, the University’s only tenor and bass group, increased their number of rehearsals from the standard of two per week. In addition to learning songs, the groups also need to learn their own choreography for ICCAs.
For Ivy Broder, a member of the Enchantments, a gender-inclusive a cappella group on campus, rehearsals are more than just time to practice their music. Broder said it feels like a big hangout, with the added work of learning music. Usually, the group works on two to three songs per rehearsal, running through different measures of the music.
Broder said since joining the Enchantments, it has been a creative outlet as a STEM major. As someone who loves the arts, it was something they were missing.
“It’s so nice to just go somewhere and get to do what I love with people I really like,” Broder said. “It’s just been a huge creative outlet for me. It’s honestly been a breath of fresh air when I’m dealing with all of these other classes like dealing with chemistry.”
Getting to compete at the ICCAs was a great experience, Broder said. They added that getting to bond as a group, as well as meeting other a cappella groups and hearing the music they were working on was special.
“I think, honestly, the best part is hearing what the other groups have been working on because everyone is so different,” Broder said. “But also, last year, almost every group did a song from Hozier, which was wonderful. It was a whole Hozier concert.”
Gavin Browning, president of Basses Wild, started in the group his freshman year. To Browning, being a part of the group and making music with people is a great way to bond with each other as well as relax outside of schoolwork.
Browning added that Basses Wild taught him independence and how to read music.
For Beyer, joining Urban Sound was a turning point in her college experience, and the friends she has made through Urban Sound have been there for her through everything.
“I don’t even know if I would still be in college if it wasn’t for Urban Sound,” Beyer said. “I feel so supported and happy, and it’s just something I can put my energy into when I’m sick of doing homework and everything. I’m really grateful for Urban Sound.”
