The University will be treated to the third annual SingFest Friday, an "Acapellapalooza" featuring a range of the student body's finest vocal ensembles, including the Virginia Glee Club, the Virginia Gentlemen and the Virginia Sil'hooettes.
The Virginia Glee Club started SingFest two years ago as "a means for the U.Va. community to get a taste of several different singing groups on Grounds," Glee club president Jacob Friedmann said in an email.
Though the event was originally created to showcase different groups, this year's SingFest has a philanthropic twist - organizers plan to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the Central Virginia Food Bank.
The Central Virginia Food Bank, which provides food to residents in 31 counties and five cities, has suffered in the wake of the general economic downturn. Friedman said.
"This year the Central Virginia Food Bank had an especially rough winter fundraising season and we wanted to help out," Friedman said in an email.
This event will raise funds for the Central Virginia Food Bank while showcasing musical talent at the University.
Friedmann said he looks forward to his group's musical numbers, which fall at "the light-hearted and contemporary end of the spectrum." This differs from some of the Glee Club's more serious choral programs and will "likely include college songs, funny songs and popular songs by the likes of the Beatles and Leonard Cohen," Friedman said in an email.
In addition to the Virginia Glee Club's all-male arrangements, SingFest offers prime selections from the repertoires of the Virginia Gentlemen and the Virginia Sil'hooettes. Virginia Sil'hooettes president Brittany Peterson said in an email the group will be performing some old favorites to appeal to fellow University students.
The Sils have recently been honored with inclusion on a Best of College A Cappella 2012 collection - their recording of "Idioteque," originally by Radiohead, is the number two track on the compilation. The group will also release its newest CD at its spring concert April 14. At SingFest, the Sil'hooettes plan on singing "Summertime Sadness" by Lana del Rey and "Set Fire to the Rain" by Grammy-winner Adele, as well as a number of other audience favorites. Known for their phenomenal vocal power and distinctive all-female sound, the Sils will bring welcome balance to SingFest's otherwise all-male groups.
As the University's best-dressed all-male a cappella ensemble, the talented Virginia Gentlemen will round out the night's list of major performers. Sporting their trademark navy blazers and blue-and-orange bowties, the VGs will wow the audience with some of the strongest solos and vocal arrangements you're likely to hear on Grounds. During their solo performances, they usually tackle every brand of mainstream music, from golden oldies to chart-topping pop powerhouses.
The variety of vocal performances at this weekend's SingFest represents a special combination of music and philanthropy which should not be missed.
Tickets are $5 in advance or with canned goods, and $7 at the door. Tickets are available this week on the Lawn, through the University Arts Box Office and at the door of the event
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