The last echoes of the Rotunda Sing had hardly faded when students began lining up to audition for the University's myriad of a cappella groups.
With so many groups on Grounds, just about any interested student could find one that suits his tastes. For the traditionally minded, the Virginia Belles and the Virginia Gentlemen are the oldest all-female and all-male groups at the University. ReMIX is a group dedicated entirely to hip hop and R&B, while Flying Virginians - often known as the Flying Vs - devote their time to rock a cappella.
Meanwhile, the New Dominions have the honor of being the oldest co-ed group, and CHoosE - short for Christian Hoos Exalt - mixes music with Christian fellowship.
But even with the wide range of available options, students interested in joining a capella groups will face an intensive audition process, one that can introduce a whole range of emotions. Such was the case for first-year College student Carroll Neale, who waited with anticipation outside 16 East Lawn, where the New Dominions held auditions. Beside her was her application for the group, with questions ranging from the practical - "Can you percuss / beatbox?" - to the more open-ended - "Draw 'Bear Fury.'"
Once the door opened, group members announced her name to president Emily Abernathy. They began the audition with a vocal warmup: Neale sang scales accompanied by a keyboardist, then listened to notes played and sang them back, pitch-perfect.
Next was a sightreading exercise, and after that came Neale's true chance to showcase her voice. Every group asks those who audition to come prepared with a verse and chorus of a favorite song. Neale's song was "The Way I Am," by Ingrid Michaelson.
The last exercise, however, was unexpected. She was asked to sing "Amazing Grace" and did so with ease, noting that this was her best audition yet.\n"No other group asked me to do another song," she said afterward.
But despite her own sense of satisfaction, Neale was not accepted to an a cappella group this year.
This experience illustrates just how selective the audition process can be. The Academical Village People, for example, may call back 10-15 individuals out of the 50 or so who audition, said AVP member Stephen Hatch, a fourth-year Engineering student. Out of these individuals, only 2-5 will be selected. As a result, one may wonder just what it is that a capella groups use to select new members.
"We want performers," Hatch said.
Nevertheless, applicants do not necessarily need to have formal training.
"Some people are shower-singers, and some have been trained since they were 3 years old, so it's nice to put those voices together," said Virginia Belles Music Director Erin Kirchoff, a fourth-year College student.
And auditioning students should not necessarily fear facing Simon Cowell-esque censure during their tryouts. Second-year Engineering student Adam Szpila, for instance, had a more positive experience.
"They were really nice," he said after his tryout for the Virginia Gentlemen. Szpila received calls from CHoosE and the New Dominions. Eventually, he was offered a spot in CHoosE.
"I am so grateful to have the chance to sing with an a cappella group," he said. "The members of CHoosE so far have been nothing less than the kindest, most supportive new friends I could ask for."
In fact, this supportive environment may reflect one of the most important criteria that a capella groups use when choosing new members: personality.
John Lehmann - a fourth-year Commerce student who has been in the Hullabahoos since his first year - said although performances are important, the best part of a cappella at the University is the camaraderie.
"We do really awesome activities together ... just hang out, go on trips," he said.
Nicole Ziemann, a second-year ChoosE member, added that her group benefits from a shared world view.
"We share that spiritual aspect," she said. "We're lucky that we can tell each other anything without having to worry about being judged ... It's a really nice place to be."
And even with the exhaustive process it takes to join such a group, some students may find the auditioning process worthwhile, regardless of the outcome.
"Although I was disappointed that I didn't make any of the groups, I think trying out was a great experience," Neale said. "I plan to focus on other activities this year and audition again next year"
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