By Anna Minckler
This past Saturday, November 12, the Lafayette Arts Society presented its annual Night of A Cappella, and once again left both audience and performers overjoyed.
The performance was to benefit the Friends of Lafayette Music and the Daniel P. O’Neil ’06 Memorial Fund. Groups from different colleges were invited to campus to sing alongside fellow a cappella aficionados. Each group brought a different personality and a wonderful energy to the stage.
The night began with Lafayette’s own all women’s group, Cadence. Classy as always, the group opened with a beautiful rendition of Listen to the Music and continued the wonderful variations of popular songs from there.
Groovestand, of Syracuse University, followed Cadence and brought a fun energy to the stage: dressed in bright colors and performing a few ridiculous and funny variations on popular songs, Groovestand’s talent was truly amazing to watch.
Rider University’s RiderVibes, driving in from central New Jersey, stole the stage back with beautiful voices and quirky song choices.
After a brief intermission, a group that needs no introduction, Lafayette’s co-ed Soulfege, took the stage. The first song was Creep, by Radiohead, leading to the group singing a soulful version of Mercy by Duffy. Finishing strong with the now popular Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae, Soulfege left its cheering audience wanting more.
University of Mary Washington’s Symfonics performed next — the crowd couldn’t get enough of the group’s rendition ofFeelin’ Good, sung by a sultry lead.
The show closed, as always, with the Chorduroys. Lafayette can’t seem to get enough of these boys, and the Chords’ singers once again blew their audience away.
An overarching theme of ‘boy band’ was obvious, and the crowd loved it. But the final song, Disney Medley, was the true favorite of the night. The members took on roles of African animals in The Circle of Life, soldiers in Mulan’s Lets Get Down to Business and finally sea creatures from The Little Mermaid’s Kiss the Girl.
Drew Williams ‘14 was one of the many audience members in the packed Williams Center for the Arts Black Box. “I thought all the groups did a great job and they sang their hearts out,” he said. “The Evening of A Cappella is always a highlight, and I’m so happy that it is still such a success.”
1. Cadence (Lafayette College)
2. Groovestand (Syracuse University)
3. Rider Vibes (Rider University)
4. Soulfege (Lafayette College)
5. Symfonics (University of Mary Washington)
6. Chorduroys (Lafayette College)