Pat Kenney
Campus News Editor
It is said that practice makes perfect.
For the Springfield College A cappella groups, practice makes the pitch perfect.
During their seasons, athletes are able to showcase their talents to an audience two or three times a week. The same cannot be said for musicians or performers, who perform two or three times a year.
Working all semester, the Pride Pitches and the Maroon XIII groups finally have their chance to shine. Although a chorus of do’s and da’s flowing out of Marsh Memorial can be heard on a nightly basis, Thursday, May 1 remains the most important date.
“With two A cappella groups, the audience will get a wide variety of style and songs,” stated Jill Funk, Maroon XIII’s musical director. “It will be exciting and we can’t wait to perform.”
This semester, unlike those of the past, has given the Maroon XIII opportunities to expand and spread Springfield College’s A cappella talents throughout not only the college community, but the Springfield community as well.
“Last year as a group we really only did on-campus shows,” stated Maroon XIII member Rob Kearney. “Someone called Student Activities looking for an A cappella group and luckily they thought of us. We jumped on that opportunity just to get some notoriety and let the community know that Springfield College has A cappella groups.”
With performances at the MassMutual Center and Excepted Students Day under their belts, Maroon XIII has opened the door to those who thought Springfield College was strictly an athletic school.
Thursday will only open the door further. However, this performance will not be one single group. This time, there will be two.
On a campus that is celebrating 50 years of women’s varsity athletics, an all-girl A cappella group represents the women on campus in a whole new light.
Between the Pride Pitches and the Maroon XIII, talent and singing ability are not in question. Even with the addition and subtraction of new and old members, the talent only seems to be getting better.
“[This year] has been really, really good and we are gradually getting better,” commented Funk, a senior A cappella member. “Our group is awesome and we have been able to break out of our shells and have fun.”
Like each group’s members, their set lists mix the old with the new. Ranging from “oldies but goodies” to Top 40 hits, each song gives the audience a unique and different experience.
“We like to sing all different types of music while keeping it fun and engaging,” explained Kearney.
Performing at 8 p.m. in the Union, the Pride Pitches and the Maroon XIII’s hard work will be taking center stage.