Hopkins hosts intercollegiate a cappella competition

The 2014 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella tournament is in full swing. As of Feb. 22, two additional Mid-Atlantic groups were selected to join fellow quarterfinal winners at the March 15 semifinals in Nashville. Although Vocal Point and Faux Paz managed to outshine the competition assembled in Shriver Hall, the seven contending groups did not give up the titles without a fight.

Varsity Vocals proudly celebrates its 18th season presenting student a cappella competitions, enabling group promotion and production. In addition to being featured on Varsity Vocals’ “Best of College A Cappella” album, competing groups hope to perform at New York City’s Town Hall as international finalists.

With such exceptional opportunities at stake, Shriver Hall’s energy was naturally electric. Ticket lines stretched outside, family and friends streamed into every row of seats and groups could be heard warming up offstage. The building was alive as attendees found their places and excitedly awaited the memorable show.

Event producer Lindsay Howerton-Hastings introduced the quarterfinals’ dynamics before passing off the spotlight to the evening’s hosts, Andy Weld and Pauline Cronin. After clarifying that the evening’s lineup had been randomly ordered and each set was allotted only 12 minutes, the music finally ensued.

Hopkins’ favorite comedy a cappella troop performed first. Repeating the words “your mom,” The Mental Notes modernized a conglomeration of classic pieces including Beethoven’s “Fur Elise.” Clad in their signature Hawaiian button-ups, The Mental Notes frequented the stage throughout the competition with beef-jerky sketches and opinionated, original songs.

In addition to complaining about the permanence of Taylor Swift’s reign and dreadful final exams, The Mental Notes treated the audience with renditions of B.O.B.’s “Magic” and Macklemore’s “And We Danced.” The group generously entertained the restless crowd while final scores were tallied.

The competition truly began as NINE gave their first public performance. The young Hopkins-based group formed last October and comprises nine Octopodes members. Peter Yang soloed first with an arrangement of Olly Murs’ “Army of Two.” Sophomore Nicole Abdo gave a powerful rendition of “Over the Love” by Florence and the Machine. Vocalist Corbyn Yhap  stood out most in NINE, and would have benefited the group by singing more than Bastille’s mere opening of “Flaws.” Recurrent Octopodes soloist Melissa Jordano closed NINE’s set with “Take Me Home” by Cash Cash.

University of Maryland’s Faux Paz raised the bar even higher with three unbelievable deliveries. Beginning with Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us,” Faux Paz wowed with well-synced choreography and balanced harmonies. With her impassioned cover of Bon Iver’s “Flaws,” junior Sarah Sexton moved audiences and secured the award for Outstanding Soloist. Francesca Spano’s unique sound seamlessly captured Ellie Goulding’s “Figure 8.” With strong choreography and diverse arrangements, Faux Paz indisputably deserves to move on to the semifinals as second place winners.

Disagreeing with their cleverly suggestive name, Interchorus chose three songs about lost love and moving on. The St. Mary’s natives performed current radio hits “Pompeii” by Bastille and Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball.” Aura Payne’s soulful cover of “Burn” by Usher was the highlight of Interchorus’ stage time, also contending for the Outstanding Soloist award.

A large fanbase accompanied University of Delaware’s The MelUDees. After opening with a sultry performance of “Undertow” by Sara Bareillis, The MelUDees really shined with their Civil Wars “Poison and Wine” duet. The chemistry between the two leads was believable and their voices naturally harmonized. Unfortunately, this duet was so impressive that the following MelUDees couple disappointed. The second pair of voices clashed, and attempting to mix four Maroon 5 songs proved rather cacophonous.

A brief performance hiatus evidently enhanced PandemoniUM’s stage presence for the University of Maryland, College Park students absolutely owned the stage. The sassy group chose two risqué pieces to open their set. Sophomore Valen Gordon confidently delivered Cassie’s 2006 hit “Me & U” and then transitioned to “Swimming Pools” by Kendrick Lamar. The upbeat tempo dramatically slowed with Will DeMore’s rendition of “Sun & Moon” by Above & Beyond. Still, the performers maintained rhythm and snagged Outstanding Percussion thanks to senior Alex Moss.

The Vocal Chords (a Hopkins favorite) took the stage after South-Asian a cappella team, Anokha. The suspenders and bowtie wearing group began with Nick Uebele and Alexia Huggins’ take on “What Now” by Rihanna. Uebele poured himself into the bridge as fellow group members entertained with powerful background choreo. Next, senior Rudy Fernandez gave an absolutely chilling recital of John Legend’s “This Time.” The powerhouse singer beautifully blended with Rachel Xian and held a final note that triggered a crowd uproar. The group smoothly transitioned into Xian’s cover of “Elastic Heart” by Sia. The Vocal Chords’ new frontwoman continues to expand her range with each performance.

Vocal Point, the quarterfinal champions, walked onto the stage meaning business. The disciplined band step danced with ultimate precision and won Outstanding Choreography for their entire set. The black and gold group blew attendees away with their “Dark Side” performance, which earned them yet another award for Outstanding Arrangement. By the end of Fall Out Boy’s “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark” cover, it was clear that Vocal Point would be heading to Vanderbilt for semifinals.

To close the show, University of Maryland’s DaCadence put on a theatrical set including songs Lincoln Park’s “Numb,” “Demons” by Imagine Dragons and “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5.

All nine groups were worthy title candidates, but only Faux Paz and Vocal Point prevailed. The Hopkins community wishes both groups future success and will be rooting for our Mid-Atlantic neighbors as they compete in Tennessee.