Wake Forest hosts six student-run a cappella groups, with styles ranging from Christian hymns to contemporary pop songs. These groups engage in a variety of endeavors, including “Pitch Perfect”-esque tournaments, on-campus concerts and studio-recorded passion projects.
An inviting, exciting community
Demon Divas member freshman Sophie Petronzio said her experience in the all-female group has been warm and welcoming since her audition.
“When I walked in, it just felt like they really wanted me there, and everybody walked out with a big smile on their face,” Petronzio said. “I remember going in and I just felt very loved, and that regardless of what happens, I felt like I had already made new friends.”
As a freshman, Petronzio values the friendships she’s formed with upperclassmen women in the Demon Divas.
“I think that there’s something really special about being with a lot of girls who are older than you, who have different experiences from you, or have been here longer than you,” Petronzio said.
The Demon Divas participate in singing competitions and recently arranged a performance for an International Championship of Collegiate A Capella tournament in Durham, N.C. When asked what her favorite moment with the group was, Petronzio said it was her time competing at the ICCA.
“We got to bond outside of a school environment, and it felt like a commemoration of all the hard work we’ve been putting in,” Petronzio said. “Even though we ended up not placing, it was such a fun experience. Everybody really tried to make it fun, regardless of the outcome, from the start.”
The Demon Divas are looking forward to performing at Entrepalooza on April 9.
Business manager for Minor Variation, junior Caroline Kuebert, shared how her experience recording the group’s biennial studio album was a deeply rewarding challenge.
“I had never done anything like that before… if you told senior-year-of-high-school Caroline that in a year I would be in a recording studio, I would have laughed at you in the face,” Caroline joked. “Then we heard it [for the first time], knowing all the work that went into it… It was unbelievable.”
Kuebert added that it’s not just the experience of singing, but who she’s singing with that keeps her coming back.
“At the end of the day, it’s about fellowship and making music with people you care about,” Kuebert said.
Minor Variation will host their spring concert in Brendle Recital Hall on April 22 at 8:00 p.m..
Not just a better singer, but a better listener
Many Wake Forest singers say that a cappella groups allow their members to appreciate the music they love on a deeper level. Rollin’ Deacs Co-President, sophomore Matthew Jones, said his time in an a cappella group has changed his relationship with music.
“Even if you’re not as into music—or if you are into music—it’s just a whole other side of things,” Jones said. “You’re learning to create a backing track and beats without playing any instruments… it connects you with the music more.”
Jones noted that the collaborative nature of a cappella also affects the way he listens to the songs.
“When you’re all singing it together, everybody has the same feeling, and everybody understands what the music is feeling to be able to sing it well,” Jones said. “I feel like people that aren’t as interested in a cappella should give it a try because it really makes you think of music in a different way.”
Jones said that because of a cappella, he saw many of his peers find a voice they never knew they had. He recounted how rapidly he saw sophomore Hunter Heiden, a member of the Rollin’ Deacs who had minimal singing experience, improve after joining.
“Just going through the months of being around good singers and taking the time to learn the music, he became a great singer,” Jones said. “He’s amazing.”
Whether you’re pitch perfect or can’t carry a tune, it’s likely there’s an a cappella group on campus waiting to hear your voice or see you in the crowd.
