Owtsiders, Ohio Wesleyan University’s only co-ed a Cappella group, has six new voices.
Sophomore Camille Mullins-Lemieux, Owtsiders co-director, said the auditions went well but she hoped that more people would have come.
Sophomore president Julia Stone said she agreed with Mullins-Lemieux.
“I think the cold weather deterred some people from coming out,” Stone said.
“We were able to find all the singing parts that we need though, and I’m happy with the talent we found.”
The audition process consisted of three parts: a prepared song, a blending exercise and a test of one’s range.
Junior Katie Butt said she messed up the words to her Rihanna mash up of “Disturbia” and “The Monster.”
“But no one noticed,” she added.
The groups’ new members range in grade level, with three freshmen, one junior and two seniors. Mullins-Lemieux said she is excited about the full sound and fresh energy that these members will bring to the group.
Freshman Curtice Taylor, who is also involved in the Choral Arts Society, said he is looking forward to singing a cappella, as well as being a part of the Owtsiders’ community specifically.
Butt was previously a member of the Owtsiders, and the female a cappella group Pitch Black, but had to leave both due to the intense time commitment.
She said she was excited to learn that the Owtsiders were having auditions again.
“I missed that environment – just hanging out with people and creating beautiful music together,” Butt said. “It’s laid-back and a lot of fun,” she said.
Freshman Megan Marren wanted to audition in order to be more involved on campus.
“It wasn’t a hard audition, but it was nerve wracking sitting around and waiting until my turn came up,” Marren said.
In the past, the Owtsiders have performed at Ollie’s Fine Ice Cream, a local ice cream parlor.
They also sang on stage at “A Cappellooza!” an event sponsored by Campus Programming Board that featured a cappella groups from OWU and surrounding schools.
Stone said that the group has plans to sing at J. Gumbo’s, a local restaurant, on Mardi Gras and to have more sporadic performances in the atrium of Hamilton-Williams.
“I’m hoping that we are able to have a great semester full of new music and more performances,” Stone said. “We’re going to start the semester by working on Counting Stars by One Republic and Royals by Lorde.”