Gone are the days of letterman sweaters, toe-tapping and finger-snapping barbershop-style vocal groups. There’s a new breed of emerging young a cappella (vocals only, without music) ensembles just itching to be heard across campus. Our southerly neighbours have already gotten hooked on a cappella music-now it’s time we bring our toque-wearin’, beer-drinkin’, hockey-playin’ best to meet the challenge.
Onoscatopoeia (the Hart House Jazz Choir) was formed in 2002 by a group of students who felt that the university was lacking in vocal jazz music. Their repertoire ranges from Nat King Cole to Michael Jackson. Under the direction of newcomer Markus Howard, the 26 students have traveled and performed at weekend retreats, charity events, and regular concerts on campus.
“O-Scat gives its members a chance to sing a challenging and diverse repertoire under professional direction in a social environment,” says Larry Lau, Onoscatopeoia’s student representative.
The group has just released their debut CD, From the Hart, and will be hosting a concert at Hart House with special guests Encore (a vocal group from the Rochester Institute of Technology) on March 31.
Another campus group, TBA (To Be Assigned) was formed in 2003 by four students who all met in other jazz choirs. One of the co-directors, Jenny Mena, came back home to Canada from the U.S. after finishing her undergrad and caught on to the ever-growing trend.
“A cappella is huge in the States, particularly at the collegiate level. It’s definitely catching on here, especially in the last five years. We just wanted to bring it to U of T,” Mena says.
Their repertoire is quite contemporary, spanning Alicia Keys, CSNY, and Michael Bublé, among others. The 19 students of TBA are soon headed to Montreal for a performance with McGill University group Tonal Ecstasy.
The Varsity Jews were formed in 2002 in the old Hillel Centre in the basement of University College. Now based in Hillel’s brand-new building and operating under the direction of Robby Burko, the group has performed for private functions at synagogues, bar mitzvahs, and birthdays, as well as public concerts.
“The group was formed out of a love for a cappella music as well as a desire to contribute to Jewish life on campus,” Burko says. “We sing a combination of traditional Hebrew folksongs, popular Hebrew/Jewish tunes, and familiar songs with altered lyrics such as My Bar Mitzvah instead of Mamma Mia.”
The Varsity Jews are gearing up for their final concert at the Beth David Synagogue on April 2.
All this vocalizing on campus is culminating in the first-ever U of T a cappella concert, Acappalouza, which takes place this Sunday at the Old Victoria College Chapel and will feature all three acts performing songs from their diverse repertoires.
Acappalouza takes place at the Old Victoria College Chapel Feb. 12 at 6 pm. Tickets ($5) are available at the door, or email
[email protected] for more info.
