A CAPELLA RUSH CONCERT
On the night of the Fall A Capella Rush Concert the Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts bustled with life. Masked UConn students and outsiders alike streamed into Jorgensen’s main auditorium, directed by event staff wearing black and yellow jackets. They were free to sit wherever they liked, so long as they adhered to social distancing guidelines. Overhead, screens cycled through messages reminding attendees to wear their masks at all times and to sit in seats marked with green-and-navy “Maintain Distance” stickers. Friends and family chatted and milled about the house. In the balcony overhead, the evening’s student performers waited eagerly for the show to begin, while some waved back to the audience.
Then, the lights dimmed.
Upstage, the white backdrop turned blue and turquoise.
Zachary Kenney, the president of the UConn A Cappella Association (UCACA), a member of the Rolling Tones, and the evening’s master of ceremonies, emerged from stage right to much fanfare. Thus began UCACA’s first in-person concert since the onset of COVID-19. The Fall A Capella Rush Concert kicked off UCACA’s fall 2021 audition season before a sold-out audience, with 10% of the ticket proceeds going to HuskyThon.
The Fall A Capella Rush Concert was not only a way for UConn’s 10 a cappella groups to showcase their talent, but it was also a chance to show prospective auditioners exactly what each group was looking for. Each group performed two songs, ranging from classics like Frank Sinatra’s “I Love You Baby” to Billie Eilish’s edgier, more contemporary “All the Good Girls Go to Hell,” while the backdrop changed color to match each group.
Husky Hungama, UConn’s only South Asian fusion a cappella group, were decked out in all-black against a vibrant red-orange backdrop. They were followed up by bright pink Drop the Bass, the first of UConn’s three all-female groups. Rolling Tones performed next in dramatic black-and-red ensembles.
By contrast, the following group in the lineup, the all-male Conn-Men, wore simple plaid jackets and jeans for their high-energy performance. Co-ed group A Minor kept up that high energy, emerging in light, summery attire as the members bantered amongst themselves.
The all-female Chordials, UConn’s first established a cappella group, performed next, wearing all-black and hitting impressive high notes. Notes Over Storrs, another co-ed group, took the stage next and spent about a minute or so prior to their performance trying to untangle microphone wires. During their second song, they began a clap, which the audience took up with fervor. While making their exit, a few members remained behind to give the microphone knot one last go, to no avail.
Another one of UConn’s all-male groups, A Completely Different Note, brought some old-school vibes to the stage, dressed in business casual blazers. They were followed by Extreme Measures, who arrived to loud cheering as audience members called out the names of friends and relatives on stage. Finally, the last of UConn’s all-female groups to perform, Rubyfruit, closed out the show. Dressed in black and pink, they struck powerful high notes to match Ariana Grande’s, earning roaring applause from the audience. At the very end, Kennedy took to the stage one last time to bid the audience good night and remind auditioners about audition forms.
Overall, UCACA helped to breathe new life into the UConn community after a year of remote performances, in a stunning show to welcome these singing Huskies back home.
Written by Eileen Sholomicky Photos by Brandon Chain