Sometimes the University feels like the set of “Pitch Perfect.” With A Capella Ball and sorority Big Sis week serenades, the talented voices in our midst just can’t be ignored. In helping to launch the start of the semester’s a cappella concert season, all-female a cappella group Hoos In Treble presented their spring concert, “HIT gets Fit,” last Saturday, displaying impressive voices and touching sentimentality.
HIT performed an array of alternative-pop songs sprinkled with Top 40 favorites. Standout pieces included Alisa Price’s rendition of “Royals” and Mollie Clement’s take on “Radioactive.” The women also performed to old favorites, such as second-year College student Rachel Mink’s powerful version of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” and first-year College student Nan Macmillan’s “Hollow Drum.”
“Songs are a group decision because everyone has different taste and listens to different types of music,” said group member Katie Gigante, a third-year College student “People suggest songs that they think will work well and we usually vote as a group.”
The group works hard to remain adaptable and democratic leading up to a performance.
“The songs we decide on at song selection aren’t set in stone,” Gigante said. “The music director, with input from the group, often switches a few songs around afterwards.”
At the concert, all-male group the G-Men from the University of Michigan provided a brief interlude between the first act and intermission. The group thrilled with its beatboxing skills and ability to reproduce mechanical, electronic sounds. Apoorv Dhir stunned the audience with a solemn rendition of “Skinny Love” and Marty Gray paid homage to Kanye West in a rousing version of “Love Lockdown.”
The group has toured across the United States, competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella finals and performed privately for former President Bill Clinton.
“The Michigan G-Men wowed us and the audience with their flawless musical technique and showmanship” said HIT member Mollie Clement, a first-year College student.
After intermission, the performance took an emotional turn as members recognized each of their graduating fourth-years. Fourth-year College students Kate Breimann, Camille Loomis, Thy Nguyen, Lizzy Ramey and fourth-year Commerce student Hope Stadulis ended their HIT careers with Saturday’s performance. They culminated the show with a teary rendition of Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend” after heartfelt speeches from younger members of the group.
“Our beautiful fourth-years have put so much time, talent, and effort into HIT,” Clement said. “I will miss them terribly but am honored to have shared the stage with them.”
Gigante expressed similar sentiments about the departing group members.
“Everyone is so different but we are able to come together, make music, and have a great time doing it,” she said. “We put so much time into HIT and it’s special to be able to share our hard work with our audience at the concert. HIT is truly my family.”
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