More than music
CMU a cappella groups share what they love most about performing
For Shelby Township senior Stacey De Armas, being a part of On the Rox is about much more than making music.
"When you rehearse with people for six hours a week and you have gigs with them all the time, it becomes your family," she said. "So it's just so much more than about music."
Central Michigan University has three a cappella groups. On the Rox, Fish N' Chips and Central Harmony are full of talented individuals who love to sing and do not need music to appeal to their audience. They also do not have to worry about inter-campus rivalry.
One name may sound less edible, but all three groups are full of talented individuals who love to sing and do not need instrumental music to appeal to their audience. They also do not have to worry about inter-campus rivalry.
“The community between all three groups is really strong,” said Clarkston junior Rebecca Turner, president of Central Harmony. “It’s just really nice because we all do things for each other and help each other out.”
By that Turner means passing on gigs if one group cannot do them, and otherwise sharing the load. They also promote good vibes within each group’s individual rehearsals, she said. For Turner, singing and those good vibes are what makes rehearsal a de-stressor.
“Every time I sing I forget about everything else, which is so cheesy to say but it’s true,” Turner said.
Key differences between the groups involve gender. Fish N Chips is all male, On the Rox is female, and Central Harmony is co-ed. All three are student-lead, with rehearsals three times a week, and gigs usually on the weekend.
Rehearsal is the best part of the day for Holland freshman Mikayla “Midge” Carter. Three days a week is definitely a commitment for some college students, but Carter hardly notices it.
“It doesn’t feel time-consuming because I love to do it," Carter said. “Everyone wants to be there and everyone wants the group to succeed.”
The most unique part about a cappella groups are their lack of instrumental music. Students beatbox in the background and impress their audiences with fantastic vocals.
The groups get what they call “gigs,” which are small performances, anywhere they can on campus and out in the community. Sometimes they sing for organizations like Relay for Life or they do university-related ceremonies. On the Rox has a concert coming up Nov. 14, and Central Harmony has one the day after.
Singers typically learn one to three songs a week in preparation for upcoming concerts. While that may be another task that sounds daunting, De Armas looks at it another way.
“It’s pretty rigorous, our memorization. A lot of it is outside work,” De Armas said. “(But) it’s really cool having that kind of self-responsibility, too. It just gives you more pride in your work.”
