Ian Podraza sounded just like Fred Schneider, the lead singer of the B-52's. As he danced around the semi-circle of singers, observers could almost imagine the B-52's performing -- but it was None of the Above, an a capella singing group at the University, practicing in a Music Building classroom.

A capella music often conjures images of church choirs singing hymns. None of the Above has broken that mold by performing Top 40 songs without instrumental accompaniment.

The group's challenge is using voices to simulate different instruments, said Shawn Pearce, a None of the Above member.

"A capella allows for more imagination," Pearce said. "We aren't singing words, but guitar solos and things."

None of the Above was created in 1986 by Robin Winn, a transfer student and a capella singer from the State University of New York at Binghamton who missed the distinctive style when she came to State College. She also wanted to start a group in which she could sing music she enjoyed. And current members want to hold on to that tradition.

"We want to sing funny, weird songs," said Podraza (graduate-policy analysis), referring to the group's repetoire that ranges from contemporary tunes such as "Love Shack" to traditional standbys such as the 1950s streetcorner favorite "Blue Moon." Podraza also wants to try an arrangement of "Would I Lie to You?" by Annie Lennox.

"Once you start singing a capella, you start to wonder what different songs will sound like," he said. "We'll try anything."

Twice a week, None of the Above gathers around, of all things, a piano to rehearse. At first glance, the group looks like an average bunch of college students, but once they begin to sing, the music transforms them.

This past Sunday, their task was learning "Kyrie," originally recorded by Mr. Mister in the early '80s. First, the group listened to a recording of the song, focusing on the parts they would sing. One singer takes on the lyrics of the song, while the other members attempt to mimic the actual instruments.

The singers learn in increments; they sing along with the tape, then try arrangements without the recording. They find the right notes by listening to a pitchpipe. Many members don't use the sheet music to learn the song, choosing to rely on the recording, said Melissa Kay, a new group member.

But weeks of rehearsal often result in few performances. Generally, university-based a capella groups perform for each other. None of the Above is trying to organize a trip to a conference at the University of Pennsylvania, but the group probably won't be performing here until the end of the semester.

With little chance to perform, sometimes the group must remember to enjoy the music --practicing the complex rhythms can be taxing. "Singing is fun --damn it" has become the group's motto to keep members motivated.

"When you are standing around singing one part over and over, you get tired," said Liz Boehm, the group's musical director.