A cappella voices could be heard carrying through the campus of Southern Oregon University on Wednesday evening as the group, Dulcet, practiced in between live performances. After reciting a three song set list for an audience in Hannon Library, the SOU students dressed in bowties and button ups moved to the basement of Stevenson Union to kick off an open mic event.
While back to back performances with only a few minutes in between might seem strenuous to some, Dulcet wants to get as much practice in as they can before their regional contest on Saturday.
The group is signed up to compete at the Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Oregon as part the Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A cappella (ICCA), a global singing organization whose website claims to be “The real life Pitch Perfect”.
Dulcet did not compete at the competition last year, but has been an active organization on campus for the last 14 years. “We’re a real hodge-podge of majors,” said freshman Andrew Murphy. A theater major himself, Murphy moved along with the other 17 singers to the basement of the Stevenson Union to a waiting crowd of students and performers.
“We’ve been working our asses off for months!” one female member of the group called, while in transition between the sets. As much was apparent as Dulcet broke into “Seasons” a popular A cappella song featured in the classic play: Rent.
Saturday’s competition is Dulcet’s one shot at earning a bid to the national championship on April 30th in New York City. If victorious this weekend, SOU’s very own will advance to compete at the highest stage of live performance, The Beacon Theater on Broadway.
The group opted to go kick off the open mic event at 7:00 with their rendition of Beautiful, originally performed by Christina Aguilera. Senior Jaclyn McQuiston performed the solo for the cover and spoke to the group’s uniquity on campus. “It’s super diverse and awesome that we are all brought together by music,” the elementary education major said, “I don’t feel nervous yet, but when I get on stage (Saturday), I’m sure I will.
