Top Shelf a cappella group breaks traditional mold
When it comes to vocal experience, this quartet is on the ‘top shelf.’
The Top Shelf a cappella group brings a combined 17 years of a cappella experience to its first headlining concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Moore Hall Townsend Kiva.
Tickets are $5 at the door or $4 from a Top Shelf member.
The quartet of seniors consists of tenor Dominic Calzetta from St. Clair Shores, baritone Thomas Younger from Metamora, bass Forrest Nelson from Traverse City and high tenor/vocal percussionist Chris Mueller from Grandville.
Younger said Top Shelf is trying to break the mold of the traditional a cappella groups on campus such as Fish N Chips, On the Rox and Central Harmony.
“With four people obviously, what we do is different from what 15 people will do,” said Younger, music director of Central Harmony. “It’s just an entirely different style of doing things. We thought that it would be something to shake things up around here and that people will like.”
Recognizable tunes
Calzetta said people can expect to hear a big variety of songs.
“We sing everything from ‘Sex on Fire’ by Kings of Leon to ‘God Only Knows’ by the Beach Boys,” he said. “We’ve been at it for five years and people around here have been more and more receptive to a cappella music.”
Younger said one of the advantages of having a small group is the ability to anticipate what the other group members will do.
Calzetta said scheduling practices and concerts is easier with four people.
“Everyone’s schedule works out very well,” he said. “There aren’t 16 people with 16 different schedules to work around.”
Younger said the group’s title as not just a clever name.
“The quality of the a cappella we bring is comparable to alcohol that you would find on the top shelf. It’s the best,” he said. “This is our first of many shows and we would like people to come out and show us some support.”
