‘On The Rox’ plans singing, dancing for today’s concert

“On The Rox” isn’t going to be singing typical a capella music today.

The group, composed of 11 women who sing and dance to a wide variety of music, are getting prepared for their fall show tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the Box Office and $6 at the door.

“We sing classical music, oldies, stuff you hear on the radio, some Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar, we even have a top 40 mix,” Big Rapids senior Nicole Bouman said. “We work very hard.”

She said the group practices three to four times every week because they perform so many musical selection during performances.
“We’ll be singing about an hour and half of music,” Bouman said.

But “On The Rox” doesn’t just sing, they also do some choreographed dancing.

“We have choreography to most songs,” she said. “It’s fun and it’s usually goofy.”

“On The Rox” has been on Central’s campus for six years. It all began when the founder, Nicole Borden, thought it was time for women to have a group as well.

“‘Fish and Chips’ is an all guys group and Nicole thought the girls should have one too,” Bouman said.

The group is made of all types of students, not just music majors.

Bouman, for example, is studying to become a teacher.

“Its all about making good music, having fun, entertaining people, and forming bonds,” Walker junior Katie Hillyard said.

Jillyard joined four semesters ago and said she loves it.

“I learned about it from a friend and it sounded really interesting,” Hillyard said.

She said she has been singing all her life and is really excited about the Fall Concert.

Michigan State University’s men a cappella group “Accafella’s” will also perform Friday. They are going to open for “On The Rox.”
“I’m really excited,” Hillyard said. “I can’t wait to show people what we’ve got.”