In perfect harmony: a cappella singers make music on campus

Who needs musical instruments? UConn’s a cappella singing groups can create a world of melody, harmony, bass, and percussion using only their voices.

“There weren’t any a cappella groups when I came here in 1984,” says Peter Bagley, professor emeritus of music. “A small choral group got together who enjoyed singing. They were technically and vocally very good – just guys hanging out.”

Since that time, a cappella has blossomed on campus, part of a national trend.

Now, there are at least six formal groups: A Minor, the Chordials, the Conn-Men, Extreme Measures, Rubyfruit, and A Completely Different Note.

The term “a cappella,” Italian for “in the style of the chapel,” refers to music without instrumental accompaniment. Perhaps the most famous collegiate a cappella group in the state is Yale University’s Whiffenpoofs.

Robert Miller, professor of music, says “there is a very active music life on this campus. I see the growth of a cappella groups as a measure of the success of music education here. These kinds of student-run groups are the soul of the University.”

According to Bagley, in the mid-1980s “a cappella spontaneously became popular all over the country. Word spread like wildfire.” Bagley attributes part of its continuing popularity to the availability of music websites, iPods, and other “fast ways of communication.”

Marvin McNeill, assistant director of athletic bands, ascribes the explosion of collegiate a cappella to the music of the past decade, some of which involved multi- part harmony, including songs by Take 6, the Backstreet Boys and Boyz 2 Men.

“A cappella gives students an opportunity to express themselves with their voices and touch people with their music,” McNeill says.

Arielle Schachat was “blown away” the first time she saw the Chordials perform. “I knew I wanted to be part of it,” says Schachat, a music education major who is now president of the ensemble.

“A cappella is hard work,” she says. “It’s really exhilarating, but it’s also tough. You have to have a good ear. You have to always think about the right pitch and connecting with the other singers.”

The Chordials hold retreats during the fall and summer to select their music. “We all bring CDs and listen,” she says. “Everybody has a say in what we pick. We learn a lot from each other.”

At auditions, they look for “personality and upbeat attitude. We like to have a good time and we’re serious about making music,” Schachat says.

Matthew Previdi, an animal science major, is president of the all-male A Completely Different Note. He says their group spices up performances with humor. “We like to do something funny to lead into songs. People always say, ‘It looks like you’re having so much fun.’”