The Keynotes and DePauwCapella welcome new singers.
TYLER MURPHY / THE DEPAUW
With the start of a new academic year comes the deluge of emails filling studet inboxes: remnants of those regrettable decisions to sign up for every booth at the activities fair.
That being said, two groups seem to always stand out above the clutter. In true “Pitch Perfect” fashion, DePauwCappella and Keynotes, DePauw’s two a cappella groups, stole the show.
The ball has been rolling for the groups as well, with auditions already being conducted and rehearsals already underway.
For both groups, turnouts weren’t favorable due to scheduling conflicts. “We had an issue with auditions being held on the day of the first tailgate,” said senior Emma Haynes, vice-president of Keynotes. “But it ended up working out for the better.”
DePauwCappella had similar issues. “We didn’t have as many as last year,” said senior Patrick Brems, Co-President of DepauwCappella. “But [auditions] were earlier and the first-year class was smaller this year. We had 30 people come out, but [we] ended up taking six people.”
The Keynotes were in a similar boat, taking in four new first-years while turning down several others in the process. DePauwCappella took in two first-years and four sophomores.
“We are thrilled with the new members we took in,” Brems said. The leaders of both groups have seen a peek into the promise of this academic year.
The Keynotes held their first rehearsal on Sunday. “It went really well,” Haynes said. “The girls are really excited, we have already been able to establish songs. We have been so productive already, hopefully we can keep the ball rolling.”
“Rehearsals so far have been going well,” Brems said. “We are really impressed with how fast they’ve been picking up on music.”
Both groups are determining set lists for their concerts in December, as well as rehearsing pieces that can be sung at different events throughout the year.
“Right now we are working on more nitty-gritty dynamics,” Brems said. “We have already worked out six songs. It’s always good to have a lot to choose from for the concert in December, plus having some on hand for when we are asked to sing for other events.”
DePauwCappella and Keynotes like to keep their set lists on the down low so as to surprise the audience, but they released a few sneak peaks at their concerts.
“We are doing lots of funky mash-ups,” Haynes said. “They are songs thet you would not think would go together, but sound very beautiful.”
DePauwCappella has a few songs in the line-up from famous a cappella groups in the United States today. “We have our usual Christmas plans, but also a few arrangements from Pentatonix.”
Both groups are ready to start their years with the new additions. “New semesters are always exciting,” Haynes said. “It’s always fun to hear the new sounds and have a new experience.”
“I can’t wait to see what the new people have in store,” Brems said. “Already we are moving at a much faster rate than last year and it’s very encouraging.”
“I’m so excited to be a part of DePauwCappella,” said sophomore Akil Davis, a new member of the group. “I expect nothing less than ‘Pitch Perfect.'"