Hella A Capella

Co Co Beaux is one of Conn's many a cappella groups.

Like alcohol and characters in a Hemingway novel, sometimes Connecticut College finds something so good, it wants to hold on really tight and refuse to let go until the room’s spinning and someone is dancing on a table in Cro Coyote Ugly-style. By no means is it terrible to want to cling to a practice that seems to be working and drawing in a respectable fan base, but when is enough enough? And when do we run out of decent-to-fantastic singers on this campus? Am I the only one left whose voice would cause birds to fly away rather than flock to me?

I’ve been pondering these questions lately in correlation with the rise of a cappella groups on this campus. Before coming to Conn, my knowledge of college a cappella groups consisted of Yale’s Whiffenpoofs and that’s only because I was an (unabashed) avid watcher of Gilmore Girls (we all have our guilty pleasures. I bet you listen to B-Spears or Ke$ha. Don’t lie). I had no idea of their popularity and still have no idea if they’re only highly esteemed at Conn or if this pandemic is just as catchy at other colleges. I somehow see Glee to be at fault in all of this.

With twenty singing groups on campus and growing (just kidding, it’s only seven, but it sure feels like more), a cappella may be the most popular activity at Conn. New groups seem to be popping up all the time. Rumor has it that there’s a country a cappella group forming soon. Conntry, anyone?

That’s not the only group in the making. “I was inspired to sing in a cappella after watching The Sound of Music.  Mostly because I thought it entailed running around the hills with Austrian kids and their spunky nanny. So I decided to form a group that adds lyrics to common polka favorites. We’re called ConnPolka Dots.” said Sarah Shankel ’14.

I, myself, am in the process of forming my own group called Conngested. It’s a group for those dedicated individuals who love to sing, but are conflicted with sinus issues and sadly, did not make the cut. Our main audience will be Pearl Jam and Rod Stewart fans. We’re pretty diverse.

In all seriousness, a new a cappella group has recently formed at Conn, an all-girls group called Miss Connduct. The group was created by a few girls who were discouraged they didn’t make it after trying out for other a cappella groups and really wanted to pursue singing.

“They wanted to sing. They wanted to start [a group] and knew people who would want to join. There were like eight or nine of us at the first practice and we all talked about why we wanted to do it,” said Molly Bienstock ’14, a member of Miss Connduct.

She added, “Singing is one of my outlets, and I was really upset when I couldn’t be a part of [an already formed] group. We have to work a lot harder to improve ourselves so people know we’re actually good and come to see the shows.”

I had the honor of seeing them perform at Relay For Life and I think they’re just as talented as the other groups on campus. “We performed at Relay, but we didn’t really get a slot. Conn Artists gave us half their slot, which was really nice,” said Bienstock. It appears there’s nothing but amiability between the groups.

Yet several students who I’ve talked to all bring up a common stigma attached with a cappella groups. On this Greek-less campus, they feel like the frats and sororities that litter other colleges across the U.S. of A. They’re almost at the same playing field as sports teams.

“There’s no Greek system, so sports and a cappella are the big group things on campus. People compete to be in them. You have to have pride in your own group or team,” said Bienstock, adding, “Not to say that it’s not fun because it is a lot of fun.”

“Auditions are pretty competitve and every group rehearses for at least six hours a week, so we’re all very serious and dedicated. It’s also a lot of fun because of strong bonds that are formed between members, and as a whole, every group supports each other,” said Nicole Smalley ’13, a member of the Schwiffs.

Bienstock brought up another interesting point. The a cappella groups seem to be bigger at Conn than the bands, which seems strange since two major things we pride ourselves on are MOBROC and FNL. Why is this?

“That’s a hard question I ask myself all the time,” said Cassie Haines ’14, a member of Conn Chords. “I think it’s because a huge population is involved in it. People want to support their friends, roommates or friends’ friends. It’s a chain reaction. Everyone either knows someone who’s in it or knows someone who knows someone who’s in a group.”

“As far as why it’s a popular activity, I think it’s because each group really has it’s own personality and can draw in a certain kind of performer.  It’s also hard to deny that we also have such a talented campus and people want to be part of the fun and comradeship,” said Smalley.

Now don’t get me wrong. I love all of the a cappella groups on campus and have a few friends who are part of different groups. I respect the art and I respect the talent of the individuals. I think the shows are all a lot of fun. I saw a concert highlighting each group during one of my first weeks here and was enthralled. They also have some ridiculous entertaining posters.

Bienstock echoed this sentiment, saying, “All of the a cappella groups are really creative, and they have really entertaining concerts.”

So what would this campus be without our beloved singing groups? A hell of a lot quieter, that’s for sure, but also a little bit of the Conn Coll charm would be lost. So keep ’em coming because if there are two things this school will never run out of, it’s talent and the ability to create groups with pun-y names. •