Nothing But Harmony: No Discordance at Acappellooza
![Nothing But Harmony: No Discordance at Acappellooza](https://thecolgatemaroonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/66a157b3ffe034b89eacccf3435dc91b.jpg)
Last Saturday, April 7, the Colgate Chapel provided the backdrop for a talented group of singers and superheroes as the Colgate Dischords performed in “Acappellooza,” the Dischords’ Spring Formal Concert. Starting at 6:30 p.m., their evening performance also featured special guests the Cornell Callbaxx, a female a cappella group hailing from Cornell.
The Callbaxx originated when the original members auditioned for another female a cappella group at Cornell University, were called back for a second round of auditions but failed to make the final cut. The group decided to form its own a cappella act in response.
When this talented set of women performed Saturday night, there was no sign of any inter-school rivalry from the crowd. The Callbaxx performed a collection of songs including “Sh-Boom”, first made famous by The Chords, Guster’s “What You Wish For” and the Gorillaz’s “Feel Good Inc,” its final song and a crowd favorite.
Then the Dischords took the stage. One of only two co-ed a cappella groups at Colgate, the Dischords were founded in 2001. Currently headed by co-musical directors senior Jeff Silver and junior Laura Kavanaugh, the 13 members of all class years performed an eight song set, punctuated at intervals with short skits relating to the superhero theme.
Beginning the set with Carole King’s “Where You Lead,” more widely known as the theme song for the television show Gilmore Girls, first-year Megan Cronin soloed as this soft and sweet song led the way into the Dischords’ musical selections for the night. Other songs performed included Faith Hill’s “Breathe,” with a solo from Kavanaugh, Shakespeare’s Sister’s “Stay,” featuring senior Kristin Ryan, Radiohead’s “Black Star” and “Said Sadly” by the Smashing Pumpkins.
The running joke of the evening was that all Dischords members are secretly superheroes in disguise, with alter-egos such as Hold Breath Forever Man, Clean Glass Boy, Stop Time Girl, Boomerang Man and Dictionary Woman, among others. The gag continued to build until halfway through the set when Silver announced his real identity of Superman, and exposed a bright blue shirt complete with Superman’s crest to prove it. He followed this statement by performing the lead solo in a spirited cover of “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down, after which Silver was immediately assaulted by another member of the group who had previously been seen carrying a large green sign labeled “kryptonite.”
Senior Ryan Militana helped end the evening by singing lead on a cover of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” in which the audience-Callbaxx included-helped keep the beat by clapping along. As “Acappellooza” concluded, the Dischords left the stage after receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, who clearly considered the concert a complete success, a sentiment the Dischords echoed.
“It was the first time I think we’ve really come together and connected to an audience like that,” first-year member Kevin Gillard said. “It was wonderful.”