USM a cappella groups showcase vocal talent

A particular art form has recently gained attention, specifically among the college students due to an increased popularity of shows such as Glee and The Sing-Off.

Student a cappella groups at the University of Southern Mississippi are shining their light throughout the region, serving as a key recruitment tool for the School of Music's choral department.

Spirit of Southern, the men's a cappella group, was started in the fall of 2008 after the department had received several requests from people in the community for a group of students to sing at their Christmas parties and special events.

Assistant professor and assistant choral director John Flannery said that creating an a cappella group provided opportunities to reach out to the community and recruit other students as well.

"A group like this is conveniently mobile," Flannery said. "No extra equipment is required. No instruments, no speakers, no risers. It's an easy way to get out and reach those areas throughout the Southern region."

In addition to the occasional concert at USM, Spirit of Southern performs at for a variety of audiences, including the South Africa delegation, and at several locations such as churches, nursing homes and little league baseball games.  They have traveled to Pearl River Community College and Memphis, Tenn. and are preparing to go to Pensacola, Fla. for another gig in the next couple weeks.

Flannery explained that two-thirds of the group's repertoire consists of modern and oldies selections. The other one third is more sacred music for church performances.

Senior music education major Jonathan Brannan has been a part of Spirit of Southern since it began and has been a fan of a cappella groups since he was in high school.

"I was compelled by their harmony and wanted to be a part of it," Brannan said. "There's just something about the sound of voices blending with each other and matching in close harmony that just can't be beat."

Southern BelleTones is the women's a cappella group at USM.  It was started by graduate students Mady McNemar and Jennifer Carson in the fall of 2010 and is currently directed by Carson and choral graduate student Nikisha Williams.

The women's group also serves as a key recruitment tool for the choral department and performs at several community and campus events. They recently went on tour to high schools in Vicksburg, Miss. and Monroe, La.

"I love that we are able to perform so many different kinds of music," Carson said. "For example, we are currently working on Adele's ‘Rolling in the Deep' and an arrangement of ‘Amazing Grace.'"

Brannan said his favorite part of being in an a cappella group is the camaraderie among members in rehearsals and performances.

Spirit of Southern performs once a semester in the Thad Cochran Center and also holds an annual event in the spring for deceased member Steffan Myers, during which a scholarship is awarded in his name.

The group's next performance will be a Christmas gala concert at Main Street Baptist Church on Dec. 1.

"Being part of an a cappella group requires a high level of musicianship because it is difficult to sing perfectly in tune when no instruments are being used," Carson said. "It also requires a large amount of charisma which helps us to connect with audiences."

Those interested in joining one of the a cappella groups are required to be a part of the major ensembles as part of their eligibility.

"There is something about these groups that is not just about the music they make and the impact they have on the community," Flannery said. "It's the definite spirit and camaraderie that is present and makes going to rehearsal enjoyable and not feel so much like work."