Staff Writer- Emily Anderson
Music has been rather boring lately. When riding on the bus to a swim meet lately, I realized the truth, the comeback of modern music, through watching Pitch Perfect. Anna Kendrick’s voice filled my spirit with whimsy and joy. Bumper and the Treblemakers are gallivanting around the stage while singing covers of songs. “The Riff Off” (also known as the most iconic moment in acapella history) Acapella needs to come back in a big way.
Acapella has a rich history, with origins as early as the 15th century. This style of music started in the church but was revolutionized throughout time. Barbershop quartets paved the way for this music to join not only African American culture, but also popular culture as a whole. The 1940s and 1950s further spread this style of music, especially as pop music around this time featured bands with singers having clean and tight harmonies. Songs like “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel helped to keep this type of music mainstream. The ICCA (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella), the competition best known from the movie Pitch Perfect, is an actual competition, and it started in 1996. Pentatonix made a huge impact on the acapella community, with currently 3 Grammys to their name.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. It has been years since Pentatonix became mainstream, especially in a non-Christmas music context. However, there is something to be said about people’s voices making weird noises to fill in the background of 2010s pop music. With TikTok showing me short-form content with AI songs to accompany the various GRWMs and dancing, I yearned for the bygone days of music made by people. While not all music is created for the unique sound that acapella provides, this style of music can really spice up a boring song.
I might be a little biased. After all, when I was in fifth grade, I made my entire class during our hour of music class sit and watch me and my band sing the Pentatonix arrangement of Cheerleader. I performed the entirety of the Riff Off for my friends when they were sad. This being said, music was fun and more intentional. What could be more intentional than someone in the background making sound effects?
I mean, we have 3 on campus acapella groups. And let’s face it. It would be aca-awesome to bring acapella back as a global phenomenon. Emily “2016” Anderson, whatever shall we do about this lack of acapella music? Well, I have the solution to bring more community, joy, and light into our lives: Gustavus Acapella. While we might not have the Treblemakers or Barden Bellas, we have something better. G Sharp, Kaleidoscope, and Legacy Acapella are our on-campus connections to a purer form of music.
Music brings people together, but nothing does quite like acapella, since you really do need a group of people working together to create something beautiful. If one person were out of sync, it would throw the whole piece off. This technical music form not only needs collaboration, but it can also bring people closer as a community. These groups bring a ton of fun to practices.
Beckett Sherman, a member of Legacy Acapella, shares that “The space and environment is so welcoming and enjoyable, rehearsals are filled with laughs and joy every day. It’s also amazing to make beautiful music with like-minded people! It is unfortunate that this is my first, and only, year as a part of Legacy because the people truly make it so enjoyable for me!”
Not only that, but it can give people a community outside of their existing music ensembles. Will “really cool” Prahl shares his sentiments about being in Kaleidoscope: “I adore being in Kaleidoscope because of the wonderful people. I get to sing fun songs with my friends, I’m so glad I get to be a part of the group!” These groups also perform for broader audiences, with Kaleidoscope performing at the St. Lucia Festival Library fundraiser brunch. Being able to share this music brings not only these communities together but can also help to benefit our community as well.
To help support the future of our culture and community and to support our very own Gustavus students, stay tuned for an event this spring!