A cappella groups show their ‘Six Appeal’

Friday night, UNH's six a cappella groups performed at the fourth annual A Cappellafest, joined by guest a cappella group Six Appeal.

Although bringing so many talented singers together might spell competition for some, members of each a cappella group said that it was a wonderful way to share music, but not necessarily a competition between the groups.

"I think that naturally there is competition which drives the groups to do their best, but it is never a spoken competition," Harrison Kisiel, music director of Not Too Sharp, said. "We all like each other too much anyway."    

Other members think that A Cappellafest is a great way to get all the fans of a cappella in one place, so they can get a taste of what each group is about. It also gives the a cappella groups a chance to see each other's work.

Everyone seemed especially excited to see Off the Clef's debut. Off the Clef was just recognized last spring, and many were curious to see how they would perform. But no one was irked by the presence of a new group at A Cappellafest.

"The more the merrier," Scott Gabreski, business manager of Not Too Sharp, said. "I feel like having a brand new group is a great addition. Not only does the audience get another great performance, but having so many groups on campus really showcases how much talent that this university contains."

Off the Clef, 17 members strong, was just excited to be asked to perform at A Cappellafest.

"Ever since we were recognized last year, everything has been happening fast," Phoebe Bonaparte-Krough, musical director for Off the Clef, said. "It's very exciting to join the other fantastic groups and also perform with a professional group."

UNH's a cappella groups performed two songs each, including pop favorites such as "Baby" by Justin Beiber and "Telephone" by Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Others sang classics, including "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations and "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder.

Six Appeal took the stage next, sharing their disastrous tale of their 23-hour drive to New Hampshire. Fifteen minutes from their hotel in Albany, they got a flat tire.

"It wasn't just a small flat tire," one of the members said. "That tire was destroyed."

In honor of their flat tire experience, the group dedicated a song to the loss of their car, singing "Breakeven" by The Script.

"What am I supposed to do, when the best part of me was always you?" the group sang. "What am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up and you're okay? I'm falling to pieces."

Six Appeal is a seven-member, all-male contemporary a cappella group that was formed in 2007 and based out of Concorida College. The group is now located in Minneapolis.

Six Appeal could be described as a half a cappella and half comedy group. The members constantly poked fun at each other throughout their performance, and at times they all broke into laughter at someone's ridiculous comment. The audience couldn't help but follow suit.

Although it is unusual for a cappella groups to perform their own material, Six Appeal performed two original songs, including the hilarious number "Little Black Dress," in which the singer described his love for a woman when she's wearing her little black dress.

Other songs included "The Circle of Life" from the Lion King, "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon Five, and a slower version of Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA," complete with an interpretive dance from the group's beat-boxer.

While watching the performance, UNH students and a cappella members alike seemed fascinated by the talent that was showcased onstage and often doubled over laughing at some of the jokes made by the members.

Six Appeal finished the show by encouraging everyone to buy their CD "Foreplay" and congratulating UNH on the talent of its six a cappella groups.

"Not only is everyone so talented, but everyone is supportive and helpful," Bonaparte-Krough said. "It's like a mini community that revolves around pitch pipes."