Penn State Performing Arts Council hosts annual ‘A Cappella Sampler’


The Penn State Performing Arts Council hosted its annual “A Cappella Sampler” Wednesday evening in the Schwab Auditorium.

The show featured Penn State’s nine a capella groups, including Blue in the Face, Shades of Blue, The Singing Lions, None of the Above, Savoir Faire, The Pennharmonics, The CODA Conduct, Fanaa and The Statesmen.

Sarah Funk and Lia Tanous attended the performance to support their friend Kyli Ramsay, a member and soloist in None of the Above.

The show was Funk’s and Tanous’ first time attending a musical event, and they said it wouldn’t be their last.

“When you see a cappella, you think ‘Pitch Perfect,’” Funk, a fourth-year studying secondary education in English, said. “Seeing it in real life is so different.”

Funk and Tanous said the difference was the “goosebumps” up their arms after hearing their friend sing live for the first time.

“It’s so cool how many (a cappella) groups are on campus that I never knew about,” Tanous, a fourth-year studying secondary education in English, said.

The “A Cappella Sampler” doors opened at 7 p.m. as audience members slowly trickled past the ushers wearing producer’s headsets.

The show started with Sidney Wolf, the council’s web manager, introducing Blue in the Face.

Each member wore a sleek, all-black outfit and the audience fell silent as members filed on stage in a line.

Blue in the Face started singing the melody to “Too Sweet” by Hozier, with lips smacked together as they projected beatbox noises.

Soloist Dayanna Blanco stepped forward, belting the second verse while the other singers harmonized in the background.



A Cappella Sampler, fanaa

The a cappella group Fanaa performs a song during the A Cappella Sampler hosted by the Penn State Performing Arts Council on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in the Schwab Auditorium in University Park, Pa.




Her solo earned a mid-performance roar of applause from the audience.

Blanco rejoined the group, and Latyr Ndoye emerged from the rest to start a solo. Low hums began and led the group into “Love Again” by Dua Lipa.

Ndoye worked the crowd while singing the first verse over the group’s harmony, then the whole group joined the chorus’ lyrics.

On the last note, Ndoye turned away from the crowd and stood in as a composer for the rest of the group, holding the note for a few beats, then ending the number with a flourish.

The crowd cheered them offstage, and Sydney Wolf came back on stage to introduce the next set of performers.

Shades of Blue started with “Protector” by Beyoncé, standing in a “V” formation, the center being soloist Maylin Alvarez.

The “V” formation broke into two lines with Alvarez singing in the middle while strutting toward the crowd.

When the chorus started, the group sang in unison while bopping to its self-made beat. Shades of Blue mixed in contemporary dancing and stage movement throughout the performance.

“Protector” ended with the group in a line across the stage, its backs turned to the audience. The a cappella group then started “bye” by Ariana Grande’s latest album, “eternal sunshine.”



A Cappella Sampler, coda conduct

The a cappella group Coda Conduct performs a song during the A Cappella Sampler hosted by the Penn State Performing Arts Council on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in the Schwab Auditorium in University Park, Pa.




Group members bopped their heads, getting into the groove, while the soloists held high notes over the bridges. The group’s final pose drew cheers from the crowd and members exited in a silent, single-file line.

The Singing Lions then performed “I Want You Back” with solos from Lindsey Davidson, Justin Roldán, Emma Hogan and Patrick Devlin. The group’s second song was “Rather Be” with Evelyn Hertzog and Eleni Fitsioris singing solo parts.

None of the Above sang “Leave a Light On” and “My Future” featuring solos from Jessie Shaulis and Kyli Ramsay. Savoir Faire performed “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Red Desert” with Gianna Martinelli and Anna Tooke as soloists.

After Savoir Faire, the Pennharmonics took the stage. The a cappella group featured Connor Gardner, Clara Trimble and Carolyn Newman as soloists, singing a mashup of “Hollow” and “Unsteady” followed by “Easy to Love.” The CODA Conduct then performed “Yes Girl” and “Think About Things” featuring soloists Eden Manolescu and Simon Tracy.

Fanaa sang a mashup of “jealousy, jealousy,” “Titli” and “Endaro,” with soloists Bhavya Jha and Radhika Nair, followed by a second mashup of “Don’t” and “Nashe Se Chadh Gayi,” with members Ishaan Arnav and Snigdha Subraveti singing solos.

The Statesmen concluded the night with “Dream On” and “Vienna” with soloists Flynn Nolen, Matt Walsh, Chris Konopka, Andrew Simon, Joshua Ostach and Ben Gluck.

Abby Franey is a student, but tonight, she filled her role as the vice president of production in the Performing Arts Council.

“I love the uniqueness of every organization,” Franey, a fourth-year studying biochemistry, said. “Each group brings their own flavor to production.”

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