Penn State student-run a cappella group None of the Above (NOTA) hits the stage at 8 p.m. tonight in 105 Forum for a free show, their first of performance of the Spring Semester.
The 15-member ensemble plans on performing a diverse variety of a dozen songs ranging from the 1980s smash "Video Killed the Radio Star," The Jackson 5 tune "I Want You Back" and the current Dido hit, "Thank You." NOTA members are also planning a special encore surprise for the audience.
Founded in the fall of 1991, NOTA performed three times last semester, and members are eager for tonight's concert.
Wade Horigan (senior-management and economics) said, "It's been a while since we've performed, but we have made a lot of progress in that time. We always have so much fun as a group that we are excited to share this with an audience again."
In past shows, NOTA featured a cappella groups from other universities across the country, the most recent being The Stairwells from the College of William and Mary. This evening's concert is no exception. The Xtension Chords, an all-male ensemble from the University of Illinois, will perform several numbers while visiting as part of their spring break tour.
NOTA member Jenny Mena (junior-biology) said there are many benefits to bringing in outside singing groups.
"We (NOTA) get to hear something different as well as the audience members. The a cappella choirs at Penn State are limited in comparison to other schools so hearing different choirs is great for everyone," she said.
Although the group has taken in several new members at the beginning of this semester, Horigan said, "Everyone is doing very well and we are improving together. Over the past months we have grown to be a much more cohesive group compared to when the new members first joined."
In preparation for their performances, NOTA spends approximately four to five hours a week in rehearsal. For this concert, they have been practicing their new material since the beginning of the spring semester.
NOTA plans on performing again on April 7 at the Great Southern Festival in Simmons Hall, where three other campus a cappella groups will sing as well.
Mena said that the group is hoping to schedule another concert in addition sometime in the late spring.
