This month celebrates the two-year anniversary of the establishment of Kennesaw State’s very own a cappella team, KSAC. Founded in September of 2014 by current president Aria Davis, the team thrives on good music and great people as they learn and compete together. Auditions were held on Sunday, September 11th for potential new candidates of the team. I had the privilege of being invited to cover this event, and I have to thank Aria Davis and the other KSAC heads for allowing me to sit in on the auditions themselves.
Why get involved and what does it take?
Being comparatively new and lesser-known than some of KSU’s other music-oriented organization, KSAC’s big question to potential candidates was: why pick Kennesaw State A Cappella? The responses they received narrowed down to an interest in bettering their skills, and a love for music – a cappella in particular. As one candidate put it: “The voice is an instrument in its own regard, and a cappella allows [her] to release her passion for showcasing just the voice.” Another candidate echoed this sentiment, stating that, “A cappella is about the body, not pianos. It’s something that lets us create magic together.”
Even if you have no musical background, don’t think that you can’t get involved! The candidates for last Sunday’s auditions ranged from a person who had a parent in the music industry, to one who had only ever had a few voice lessons, to others who were self-identified ‘theater kids.’ If you feel that you could greatly improve your singing, choreography, beatboxing, or even just dealing with stage fright, you should take a risk and step out. Nearly every candidate expressed a desire to learn and grow, and the heads of KSAC are dedicated to providing that opportunity.
And if you’re a freshman, dare to jump out there! Nearly all of the candidates for this year were freshman; the only bottom line you must consider is how committed you are to taking this opportunity. The heads of the KSAC consider punctuality vital, and they are very strict about times when it comes to practice. As President Aria Davis says, “Because everyone’s singing a different part and you are all working together to harmonize, you can’t really practice if someone doesn’t show up.”
The three key elements that come together to form the basics of what you need to be a part of the KSAC are: character, in that you are respectful, honest, and responsible in your actions; professionalism, in that you are punctual and proper; and love for yourself and your talents.
What were Sunday’s auditions like?
Thanks to the generosity of KSAC’s heads, I was permitted to sit in on the auditions, which were otherwise closed to the public. So if you considered trying out this year, but felt too anxious, never fear! Having seen the method by which the auditions ran, I can say they were welcoming, efficient, and both businesslike and humorous in their execution.
It began with five judges: President Aria Davis, Manager Sana, Room Reservationist Jodi, Treasurer Bria, and Social Manager Ebony reviewing the candidate’s resume and application.
Next, they called the candidate in and interviewed them with simple but searching questions to better determine how they might mesh with the rest of the team, which could range from 6 to 14 members. They then allowed the candidate to warm up through a series of scales, which gave them a chance to relax as well as letting the judges experience their vocal range.
After the warm-up, the candidate performed 30 seconds of a song they had practiced, a cappella. Following this, they performed a short example of choreography they had either created themselves or adapted from a pre-existing example. While KSAC songs and choreography are more contemporary, there was a huge range in the songs and choreography performed by the candidates: pop, K-pop, theater, patriotic, and Disney.
Having concluded their demonstration, the candidate had one last chance to add any concerns or other talents they wished to speak about before exiting the room. Finally, the judges collectively reviewed the candidate, adding further notes as they worked out where they might fit into the team’s style, their strengths, and how they could improve, before turning to the next application and restarting the process,
Where is the future of KSAC?
President Aria Davis has powerful goals for the coming semesters. One of her biggest goals revolves around hugely expanding the amount of volunteer work that the team performs. “You have a gift,” she says, “but what are you going to do with it?” She’s looking to increase the team’s volunteer work with children, either at hospitals or through music camps. She also plans to present a series of performances at retirement homes throughout the summer.
She also looks towards team competitions and musical conventions, where the team can not only compete but also learn to improve their skills through workshops with well-known singers, such as the Sing Strong Atlanta competition-convention. The KSAC heads are also currently planning a three-day trip either to Washington DC or to Disney World. Further show possibilities include a trip to Pennsylvania, and entering the Athens, Georgia ICCA international championship. As a final performance, a cumulative event showcasing all of their prior shows will be held.
So, if you didn’t know that Kennesaw State boasted its own a cappella club, now you do! And if you have a passion for the voice, an interest in being part of a team, a love for using your talent to benefit yourself and others, and a desire to increase your skills, you should absolutely consider checking out KSAC. For further information, visit their website at http://www.kennesawstateacappella.com/, or e-mail them at ksac1415@gmail.com.