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UConn a cappella group A Completely Different Note (CDN) was one of eight a cappella groups to perform at the Student Union Theater on Friday night.

A Cappella Concert Rocks

By: Aly Shea

Posted: 1/28/08

The line stretched from the entrance to the Student Union Theater all the way back, almost to the stairs leading into the Food Court.

Despite a $3 entry fee, students sold out the theater Friday night to see UConn's eight a cappella music groups perform. Half of each entry fee was donated to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, for a total of $750.

"It's cool to give back to the UConn community," said Bryan Banville, a 4th-semester biomedical engineering major and member of Extreme Measures.

And the a cappella groups gave back to the UConn community with their talents and with the money raised. The other half of the money raised will go to the eight groups that performed.

"Every semester we pick a different charity," said Lizz Johnson, 2nd-semester graduate student in secondary education and member of A Minor. And the groups give more than just their money to the cause.

"Members of the groups perform and participate in the Relay," Johnson said.

Concerts such as this do more than just raise money, though.

"It's a source of pride," Johnson said. "It gives people a chance to see what each group has to offer."

UConn A Cappella Association President Katie Smith, a 10th-semester elementary education major agreed.

"It raises a ton of awareness," Smith said. "Each group brings in its own fans and gets new ones."

Smith is leaving her group, Rubyfruit, and stepping down as president of the Association to student teach this semester. After Smith sang Natalie Merchant's "Carnival," her group members talked about how much they were going to miss her and gave her a framed photograph as a parting gift. The group dedicated its final song of the night, "Life is a Highway," to her.

Another highlight of the night was A Completely Different Note's (CDN) performance of "Manly Men," which one member of the group said "says a lot about who we are." The song drew laughter from the audience with lyrics including "Though we may not always inspire / At least we're not a women's choir."

A Minor opened up the night with spirited performances of The Dave Matthews Band's "The Space Between," The Killers' "Mr. Brightside" and Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."

The Chordials used their performance to showcase their skills and plug their auditions. The group, which sang "All You Wanted" by Michelle Branch, Frou Frou's "Let Go," and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," is holding auditions Monday at 7 p.m. in the music building and said it is looking for three or four new members.

"I really liked the Chordials," said Todd Tilton, a 6th-semester management information systems major. "They were bouncy and fun."

Rubyfruit and the Conn-Men also plugged their auditions during their respective performances. Auditions for the groups will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively, at the music building. Rubyfruit did not say how many people they were looking for, but the Conn-Men said they are looking for one or two men, preferably basses.

The Conn-Men's rendition of "Feelin' Good" featuring soloist Matt Pryor elicited appreciative shouts from the crowd.

Extreme Measures, the last group to perform, gave an impressive performance of "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac, and will also be holding auditions Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Contact Aly Shea at

Alison.Shea@UConn.edu.