'Show Me A Cappella' draws a crowd

By Laura Swan

Published April 15, 2008

With performers anxiously waiting in a balcony overhead and audience members filling the pews, the music and cheers of Saturday’s a cappella show could be heard from outside First Baptist Church.

More than 400 singers, students, parents and friends gathered for the second “Show Me A Cappella” concert in downtown Columbia.

The Naturelles kicked off the show with a stirring rendition of “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, arranged by a cappella group Add 9’s Jordan Black. The group also performed an upbeat “Walkin’ on Sunshine” originally by Katrina & the Waves, Blondie’s “Tide is High” and finally “Love Like This” by Natasha Bedingfield.

This was the second performance for The Naturelles — MU’s first all-female a cappella group.

“It was a little rough in places, but I think we had a great performance,” sophomore Naturelles co-founder Kara Oberkrom said.

Oberkrom and junior Danica Pape started the group in January after admiring Add 9.

“We love Add 9, so we thought ‘Why can’t we have a group of our own?’” Oberkrom said. The pair scheduled practices and asked around to find members. “We did a lot of shuffling.”

They also had to go through steps in order to call themselves an official MU group.

As a result of their work, The Naturelles consist of eight talented women who bring a feel-good freshness to the stage. They announced during the concert, and Oberkrom insisted afterwards, that they are still looking for a vocal percussionist.

Next up was Sweet Nothings, a coed group from Truman State University. Their first song was a favorite for member Paul Chisholm, who said he enjoys their ‘60s medley because “the group really gets into it and it’s fun for the audience.” This medley included songs such as “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Wooly Bully”.

Finally, Sweet Nothings delivered a very passionate performance of “Not Ready to Make Nice” by Dixie Chicks.

A Cub Bella, an all-female group from Missouri State University, appeared next in purple tops and jeans. The event was held in a church, and purple banners hung above the altar. Before the group began, an A Cub Bella member joked, “We always call ahead to make sure we match the stage attire.”

The group’s members are very serious about song and dance. They outperformed Alicia Keys with their presentation of her hit “No One” when all 16 girls rocked out to their own beat, while maintaining a common sway.

Next, they slowed things down with Keys’ “Winter” — a piece that showcased their vocal range. In their final song, Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” the members struck intense poses as they belted out the soulful notes.

“We love being here,” A Cub Bella’s music director Amelia Davidson said. “This is one of our favorite things to do.”

She told the story of A Cub Bella’s namesake: “Truman’s mascot is the bears. It’s a play on ‘a cappella,’ and ‘bella’ means beautiful in Italian, so it’s a cheesy triple pun.”

Davidson said some songs take a week to perfect, while they have been working on others for multiple semesters and still aren’t ready to perform.

“There’s such a bond,” Davidson said. “We’re not only great friends, but we’re working together to reach a common goal. We’re making music.”

Following a brief intermission, Mizzou Forte took the stage. The group began with “Wine Red” by The Hush Sound then performed a moving rendition of The Fray’s “All At Once.” Paula Abdul was honored next when they presented her song “Straight Up.” The group finished its set with “Jet Airliner” by The Steve Miller Band.

Second-year member of Mizzou Forte junior Michael Moramarco said guesswork is a large part of picking songs to perform. Moramarco said the group’s music directors listen to new albums and try to guess what the hit single will be. Then they arrange it, perform it and cross their fingers.

“We got lucky with Wine Red,” Moramarco said. Mizzou Forte chose to perform the song even before it was released as a single.

Finally, Add 9 took the stage. The all-male group began with heads down, decked out in shades of gray, from shirts and ties to Under Armour and sweater vests, while performing “Starlight” by Muse.

The group’s energy was contagious, and its members had the audience clapping along to Curtis Mayfield’s feel-good song “It’s Alright.” They calmed things down when they stood perfectly still, singing in harmony to “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap.

Add 9’s events coordinator senior Joey Giaccotto, said the group enjoys doing everything from popular songs to classics. This was evidenced by its diverse lineup. For instance, members transitioned seamlessly to the upbeat classic “Come Go With Me” by C.E. Quick. Then, some sat on the altar steps while the rest stood solemnly behind for their presentation of Boyz II Men’s “Yesterday.”

Lastly, Add 9 exhibited its vocal skills and playful side with a Disney medley arranged by Jordan Black. The performance began with the stirring beginning of “The Lion King” then transitioned into “Arabian Nights” when one member rode in on the back of another.

During “Kiss the Girl” from “The Little Mermaid,” the soloist pointed to a girl in the audience, a smooth move met with cheers and laughter. From “Beauty and the Beast”’s “Be Our Guest” to a hilarious presentation of “A Whole New World” absent a female, to the “Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book,” Add 9 brought smiles to the audience.

Finally, the group ended the medley and the show with a reprise of “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King,” complete with a member wearing a lion head. The end of the show was met with a standing ovation.