Correction appended
Tonight, Grace Notes, an a cappella group, will sing songs with a "mission" at its second performance of the semester.
The group will perform at 7:15 p.m. during the Penn State Newman Catholic Student Association group meeting in the Frizzel Room of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
Grace Notes, a 12-person Christian a cappella group, is entering its 13th year. The ensemble is the oldest a cappella group on campus.
"Our focus is on God," Grace Notes President Andrew Palmer said.
Grace Notes' members arrange the songs for each event, Palmer (junior-physics) said.
"We look for songs with a good mission and good lyrics," he said.
Grace notes will be playing an arrangement of upbeat gospel songs. Palmer said one of the group's selections, "Witness," has "gripping dynamics."
Grace notes will also be performing a taste of bluegrass with the song "Going Home."
Grace Notes will perform a slower gospel song by GLAD A Cappella titled "And Can It Be."
Many different genres and styles are being explored, Director Kendall Eberhardt said.
He said the group incorporates each of the member's different styles when arranging the pieces.
Many students feel a cappella groups only do boring, slow gospel songs, Eberhardt said.
But with Grace Notes, that's not the case.
In the past, the group has covered Christian artists such as DC Talk, singing its hit, "Jesus Freak".
The group is working on "Stand in the Rain," by mainstream Christian pop artist Superchick, said Rachel Carter (sophomore-science), the business manager for Grace Notes.
The group will try different styles and genres throughout the semester ending in a collective performance during which the members really get to express their talents, Carter said.
Palmer added there are no soloists to the group's performances yet.
The auditions for solos are still in progress, and for now, the alto section carries the melody, making the group's sound more powerful, he said.
Coming to a university with so many people on campus and so many different student groups, it's a scary environment at first, Eberhardt said, adding that being a part of Grace Notes is an escape from all the worldly events and troubles.
"Everyone has such a genuine care an love for one another," Carter said.
Being a member of the group for more than two years, Eberhardt said it has been a "phenomenal" experience.
Grace Notes will also give a short message during the meeting surrounding the praise and worship portion of the night.
The ensemble also hopes to release a CD at some point during the semester, Carter said.
This article incorrectly reported a fact. The Dreamers are the oldest a cappella group on campus.
