"The groups have been working hard to bring their performances to the next level," Harmony adviser Roger Tharp said.
Throughout the past year, the organization has been holding microphone, stage and performance workshops to give the groups a chance to practice stage presence, Tharp said.
"They are more prepared earlier in the semester," he said.
Tharp added that he expects better shows this year compared to those of years past.
"The microphone workshops have boosted the group's confidence," said Melissa Swietlicki, director of all-female group Savoir Faire. "It's basically practice."
The all-male group Dreamers, of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, has mended the long-lost barbershop quartet, For the Glory, for their first performance in nine years at tomorrow night's sampler.
After it was first created, For the Glory slowly faded until Mike Natale (junior-music education) and three other Dreamers decided to put the group back together.
"The four of us decided that we really like barbershop stuff," Natale said. "And we can't [perform barbershop] in a large group because it loses authenticity."
The quartet will perform at Dreamers' shows in addition to the usual lineup.
"Old people bring new people to the sampler," he said. "And students talk to us to get involved.
As far as university a cappella groups, Tharp said Penn State is at the low end of participation numbers.
"Schools like Michigan and Ohio State have a lot more," he said.
Penn State a cappella groups perform on campus and in the local community.
"[The sampler] is not just meant to be within Penn State but also sort of like outreach to the community," Tharp said.
The Dreamers have had various gigs around town, including several school district performances and even building dedications.
Savoir Faire has performed at the Tall Shiva Hookah Lounge, 224 W. College Ave., and sung back up for former Entertainment Tonight host John Tesh for a cancer benefit concert in New York. The group plans to record a CD soon at the Wyclef Jean studio.
Colin sings in the Pennharmonics and the jazz-focused Shades of Blue, both of which were accepted into this year's International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. While Shades of Blue is being accepted in their third year of existence, in the past, Pennharmonics have made it to the world finals round, held on Broadway.
