Central Harmony a cappella arranges for competition season
Central Harmony practices in Brooks Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18th.
Central Michigan University’s co-ed a cappella group, Central Harmony, is combing group members' mutual love of singing and performance to create a close-knit family of singers.
“I feel like a cappella is almost a little more personal because you have to share your music just from you, there are no instruments-nothing.” said Central Harmony President Audrey Ferbes-Corderno.
Since its establishment in 2005, this 17-member group has been shared their love of music by participating in competitions and events statewide.
“In our regionals in Grand Ledge, we have to send in audition tapes with three songs, we get accepted or denied into the actual competition and then we go to quarterfinals at Grand Ledge” said Commerce Township senior Sierra Beck.
After Grand Ledge, the ensemble aims to progress from quarter finals, to semi finals and finally to the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in New York City to compete against 150 international groups.
“They genuinely love to share their music and share their talents -- they really just enjoy performing.” said Central Harmony's Adviser Karen Arthur.
With two-hour practices three times a week to rehearse music and choreography in preparation for their competitions, the group has their hands full. The group rehearses 10-12 minute sets with choreography, but they’re not just there for the music.
“We want to support each other on stage and offstage,” said Febres-Corderno.
The family-like atmosphere allows the group to rely on each other to get through the emotional aspect of music.
“We did Pray by Sam Smith. It was a very emotional song and we were ready to go do nit-picky stuff on it we sat in a group and talked about what it meant to us because it was a very emotional song with our set," said Beck. "It was a difficult topic at the time, (but) those are the ones you remember the most.”
