An Afternoon of A Capella

This Friday, as students, locals, and tourists alike stroll down Massachusetts Avenue, heads will turn. Between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., the Holyoke Center stage will feature a program that combines vocal ingenuity with interludes comprised of superb Indian, Chinese, and Ballroom dance. The afternoon will showcase eight of Harvard’s most noteworthy a capella groups­—as annual staples of Harvard’s Arts First weekend, these groups share an unmatched excitement about contributing to Harvard’s artistic tradition.

First to perform is Harvard’s oldest a capella group, the Harvard Krokodiloes. This all-male ensemble performs pieces—ranging from jazz standards to classic rock—from the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. According to music director Thomas K. B. Wionzek ’08, the Kroks “offer a tight sound, classic repertoire, and interesting choreography.” Wionzek says that the group is excited to participate in Arts First because the festival allows the Kroks to sing for Harvard in a less formal setting and to engage in the sharing of music.

Following Harvard’s oldest a capella group is one of its youngest. A splinter group from Collegium Musicum, Collegium Underground came together just this year.

According to the group’s manager, Zachary A. Rothstein ’07, who is also a Crimson editor, this co-ed ensemble offers Collegium Musicum members the opportunity to focus on jazz and contemporary a capella. Rothstein says that Arts First is a “great opportunity for [Collegium Underground] to gain experience performing as a new group.”

Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., another co-ed a capella group, A Capella Anonymous, will perform, as will the all-male Glee Club Lite. Glee Club Lite’s conductor, Richard C. Lonsdorf ’06, spoke about his group’s expansive repertoire which includes pop, jazz, and doo-wop. “You never quite know what to expect to hear,” he says.

Lonsdorf sees the weekend performances as “a good learning tool to see what other people are doing and to improve your own art as well.”

After a classical Indian dance performance by Jessica M. Marglin ’06, the Callbacks and the Din and Tonics will each take the stage. The co-ed Callbacks consider their repertoire to include a great range of musical works, including arrangements of upbeat pop songs and songs by easily-recognizable artists. Benjamin R. Robbins ’06, president of the Callbacks, says that Arts First is “a really good chance for the group to get exposure to people walking past and to perform for a more casual audience.”

The Din and Tonics are known for jazz music from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, but the group’s business manager, S. Adam Goldenberg ’08, who is also a Crimson editor, says that Friday’s audience shouldn’t be surprised by some Calypso or Latin music. Goldenberg also references the group’s ability to take “really traditional American music and bring to it new life and new energy in a really fun and exciting way.”

After a Chinese dance performance by Kevin Koo ’07 and Madelyn M.L. Ho ’08, and before a performance by the Harvard Ballroom Dance Team, The Fallen Angels and The Veritones will perform. Fallen Angels President Anne S. Waters ’07 says their material will range from Ashley Simpson to Kelly Clarkson to country. She adds: “We’re a very close group that has a lot of fun and is really fun to watch. We’re pretty infectious, and we have great enthusiasm.” This is the group’s sixth year of participation in Arts First: “It’s something we look forward to every year and a great way to finish off the semester,” says Waters.

The Veritones, too, eagerly anticipate this annual performance. Music director Shannon M. Kelly ’07 says the group’s repertoire includes pop music, a little folk, and some jazz and rock. As for Arts First, Kelly describes it as “a great opportunity to perform for people who wouldn’t necessarily see us in our concerts.” Furthermore, she says “People can get excited about the music that they have never heard a capella.”

But it is Robbins who synthesizes the messages of all eight groups: “We hope everyone will come out, because I promise it will be a good time,” he says.