Join A Cappella on campus!

A fun and supportive community awaits you

Photo courtesy of Kyra Drannbauer via Emmelodics Instagram

A lovely photo of Emmies from their latest concert! They are one of five a cappellas on campus.

Auditioning for a cappella at Geneseo was one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever done. Before arriving at Geneseo, I had never auditioned for a singing group, nor did I have any significant “professional” experience singing; I was a part of the required choir class in eighth grade, and beyond that—nothing. Nonetheless, I decided to give it a shot, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. 

There are currently five active a cappella groups at Geneseo: Emmelodics, Hips ‘n Harmony, Between the Lines, Exit 8, and Southside Boys. Emmelodics, the group of which I am a part, has provided me with a consistently supportive community since my first semester at Geneseo. Though sometimes other clubs can have membership that peters out throughout the year, Emmelodics, and a cappella organizations at Geneseo more generally, have substantial memberships that meet multiple times a week. They provide an opportunity to meet people who become close friends, and even if you do not see each other often outside of meetings, there is enough time in the meetings to talk and laugh with each other regardless. 

The actual activity within the meetings is fun too. If you enjoy singing at all, I would encourage you to consider joining. A cappella organizations on campus provide a lighthearted, minimal pressure environment to engage in that passion. Additionally, there is no expectation that members perform solos, so if that is not your thing, you do not have to! You can simply show up, sing, learn the music, and perform for your friends and, if they manage to make their way here, your family. 

Members of a cappella organizations on campus also have opportunities to be creative with music that they enjoy and actually listen to. At the beginning of each concert period, members submit ideas for songs to perform, and once all of those ideas are collected, voting rounds occur until all of the options are narrowed down. Members of the club can then volunteer to help arrange the music, and many people in Emmelodics have used that as an opportunity to gain a new skill, having never arranged music before. 

A cappella organizations also provide opportunities for students to gain experience in leadership positions. Each organization typically has a president, vice president, musical director, secretary, treasurer, and creative director; sometimes groups will have multiple students in a position as well. Not only might this add a little to your resume—something we unfortunately have to consider as we progress through college—but it may also give you transferable skills that will benefit you in future endeavors. 

Ultimately, if you enjoy singing at all, and are willing to brave the audition process (which can be fun too!), you should try out for any of the a cappella groups on campus. It is a great opportunity to meet really cool people, to participate in something you have a passion for, and to develop new skills.

If you do not want to join a club, that’s fine too! There are other ways to support this sector of student life, such as attending concerts, which typically involve all five active a cappella clubs on campus. These concerts often feature farewells to senior members (who usually perform a solo of their choice), and always involve incredibly fun music and vibes. If you can, make time in your schedule to come to the next concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in Wadsworth Auditorium.