Two campus a capella groups took their shot at an international a capella championship title this weekend at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella – also known as the ICCAs.
Soulfege, one of Lafayette’s all-voices a capella groups, and The Chorduroys, the campus’ tenor, baritone and bass voices group represented the college this past weekend at the third round of the Mid-Atlantic quarterfinal of the ICCAs – held at Drexel University. They followed in the footsteps of The Mar-Keys and Cadence, who competed in the ICCAs earlier this semester.
Although neither Soulfege nor The Chorduroys placed at the ICCAs, making it into the competition and to the quarterfinals was an accomplishment in itself for the members.
According to Bobby McClosky ‘26, assistant music director of The Chorduroys, the songs included in the group’s set have to be decided among the team and must capture “the essence of our group’s personality” and showcase “the strengths of our talented members.”
At the ICCAs, each group gets a 10-minute performance slot. McClosky believes it is important to use song choice to set themselves apart from other groups by avoiding conformity to standards and “the typical expanded harmony arrangements commonly chosen by other groups.”
“Instead, we strive to bring a fresh and authentic perspective to the a cappella stage,” McClosky said.
McClosky says that the group implemented extra practices for both choreography and general rehearsals into their schedules.
“This ensures that we have a cohesive act prepared for the competition,” McClosky said of the group’s practice regimen.
According to McClosky, a cappella is a lively activity, and one of the group’s biggest responsibilities is to transfer their energy to the judges. His goal was to let the judges feel like they were a part of the community.
“At the end of the day, we are still the same group of friends who want to have a good time singing songs we love and performing with one another,” McClosky said.
Souflege had a similar approach to practicing for this competition. According to Amanda Graf ’24, the president of Soulfege, the group had two rehearsals per week, or a total of four hours of practice every week.
Graf noted that the best way for a team to stand out is to play to its strengths as well as just have fun.
“Our group has an edge over others because we have great energy on the stage,” Graf said.
Meredith Forman ’24, who has been Soulfege’s music director for the last three years, has watched the group evolve during her tenure.
“This was really the culmination of my three years as music director for Soulfege and it was so meaningful and incredible to see everybody just doing their thing on stage and singing their hearts out,” Forman said.
Bernadette Russo ’24 contributed reporting.
