Penn State doesn't lack for a cappella groups. But one in particular is working until it's "blue in the face" to get established.
Penn State a cappella group Blue in the FACE, formed last year, will hold auditions tonight and Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. in Music Building I.
The group is looking for members of all voice parts: Soprano, alto, tenor, bass and vocal percussion. Though the group had just 20 members last year, organizers say they're planning to pick only the best.
"It's funny to be on the other side of that now," member Lindsay Mangold said. "Now, being the ones to make that decision, it's kind of bittersweet."
The group formed out of turmoil. The founding members were all cut from other a cappella groups, but one singer took the addresses on the rejection e-mail and sent out a suggestion that they start their own group.
After holding an interest meeting, Mangold, music director Luke Skerpon, president Jill Vanderpool and several others decided to jump right in and form the group, Mangold (sophomore-elementary education) said.
Because there about 12 a cappella ensembles at Penn State already, Mangold said, Blue in the FACE officers wanted to incorporate something into their group to stand out.
In addition to the full group, the ensemble splits into smaller groups for extra performances at concerts, Skerpon (sophomore-secondary education and broadcast journalism) said.
"Last year, we had a barbershop group and a women's ensemble -- those two pieces together are what make us different from the others, and that's what we plug at our concerts," Skerpon said.
Songs performed last year include Billy Joel's "The Longest Time" and Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely," which are the group's signature songs, Skerpon said. The women's ensemble performed Hanson's "MMMBop."
Blue in the FACE performed last fall during intermission at concerts for Shades of Blue and None of the Above (NOTA), as well as at the multicultural event in the HUB-Robeson Center for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The group held its spring debut concert in the Pollock recreation room in April.
"It was packed -- people were standing in the back," said Brandi Wingate, the group's public relations officer and Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon chairwoman.
This year, the group plans to perform Toto's "Africa" in addition to holiday music and gospel, Skerpon said. Those auditioning will need to prepare a 30- to 45-second solo of their choice.
Auditions will also include scales to check range, tonal memory from notes played on a piano and short sight-singing, Skerpon said.
