< Back | Home

The Conn-Men will be one of many a cappella bands performing tonight at the Student Union Theater for the UConn A Cappella Association's back to school concert.

A Cappella Medley To Play Union

By: Emily Abbate

Posted: 8/31/07

Seeing that A on an exam you pulled three all-nighters for last May, or that your favorite artist will be performing at Jorgensen this semester may seem like a miracle. Similarly, it can be hard to believe the level of talent that UConn's a cappella groups have to offer.

Tonight is an opportunity to become a believer. The UConn A Cappella Association presents a back to school concert Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. The night will be filled with the a cappella stylings of A Minor, A Completely Different Note (CDN), the Chordials, The Conn-Men, Extreme Measures, Rubyfruit and Shir Modulation. Whether it be all-male, all-female or co-ed a cappella - there is no questioning the span of talent.

A Minor, UConn's first co-ed a cappella group, was founded by members of the Asian American Cultural Center in the spring of 2004. Since then the group has performed at a wide spread of venues on and off campus - including Rentschler Field for the 2006 homecoming football game.

The university's oldest all-male a cappella group CDN, was founded in 1999.

"CDN has constantly pushed to expand the bounds of a cappella music and bring to their audience a charged and exciting show," according to their Web site.

CDN traveled to the International Championship of College A Cappella in 2005, according to their Web site, where they placed third overall and won an additional supplemental award for best choreography.

The Chordials, an all-female a cappella group, have released three albums since their formation in 1999 titled "Crazy Go Nuts" (2007), "Chocolate Coated 'N' Habit Forming (2005)" and "All Girls All The Time" (2001). Rubyfruit, UConn's other all-female a cappella group, has been harmonizing since 1999.

The Conn-Men, founded in 2001, excel in musicality and performance presence, according to their Web site. With "energetic showmanship, and their genuine love for what they do, the UConn Conn-Men consistently leave their audiences wanting more."

"We really try to push the limits of standard a cappella singing," said Steven Bourque, a Conn-Men (tenor II) and UConn Alum, "and that part of the group has always been exciting."

Extreme Measures, otherwise known as Ex-M, was also founded in 2001.

"Extreme Measures sought to bring a new sound to UConn with a repetoire that includes many genres such as classical, country, R&B and just about any music you'll hear on the radio today," according to their Web site.

For a different twist on a cappella, Shir Modulation might be your cup of tea. Based out of Hillel, Shir Modulation incorporates traditional Hebrew as well as World music into their stylings.

The A Cappella Showcase will be tonight at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. Tickets are $1 and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. For those interested in joining any of these groups, auditions will be held Sept. 4 in the music building following an informational meeting at 5:30 p.m.