“Pitch Perfect” – Stockton Style!

Remember “Pitch Perfect”, the movie about the competing college a cappella groups? Well get ready to hear some real a cappella music in the halls of The Richard Stockton College! On Monday, November 19th at 8pm, the Campus Center Theatre will come alive with some awesome beats and great music as Stockton a Cappella takes the stage for a musical event that is sure to leave you humming a few tunes by the end of the night.

The dictionary defines a cappella as “singing without instrumental accompaniment” or “in the style of church or chapel music.” But anyone who has seen one of their concerts will agree that Stockton a Cappella is much, much more than simply church or chapel music.

Stockton a Cappella was founded in 2006 as “Stockapella” by a group of students with an interest in singing and performing a cappella music. In the last 3 years, the organization has grown tri-fold! In 2010, a second group formed (The Stocktones), and in 2011, Stockata (an all-female a cappella group—Stockton’s first) joined the organization. This year's set list features songs new and old by artists such as Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson, The Script, Demi Lovato, and many more!

Some group members have been around for their entire college careers, like Senior Physics major Scott Bassler. “It's weird now being one of three people who’ve been around the longest,” claims Bassler. “What's amazing though, is the difference between when I joined and now... not in just adding more groups and gaining new people, but the difference in the quality of music we're performing is like night and day. This genuinely is the best music we've ever done.”

While Bassler may still have another semester to go, some members are graduating as early as the end of this semester, including Stockata’s president, Erin Hall, who must leave behind what has become a huge part of her life at Stockton. “This will sadly be my last concert with Stockton a Cappella, but I couldn't be more proud of all of our members,” states Hall, a Senior Psychology major. “We have worked so hard this semester doing what we love in order to put on a great show. So, instead of being sad about singing in my final concert, I am so happy to have been a part of something so great.”

In addition to singing, this year the organization indulged in a unique experience, doing something that hadn’t been attempted in previous years. Back in October, Stockton a Cappella traveled as a group to nearby Lewes, Delaware to Cape Henlopen State Park for a weekend retreat of rehearsal, bonding, and team-building. During the retreat, the members learned a lot about each other and grew closer as an organization. They also learned a “fun” new song which they’ll be performing at their concert on the 19th, which everyone will recognize and certainly will not want to miss.

Faculty advisor Neil Aaronson thinks the weekend retreat was a huge success. “It really brought the groups together, and they all sound very good,” says Aaronson, who is a Physics professor here at Stockton. “I think this will be the most successful concert event for Stockton a Cappella yet.”

Stocktones President Mandie Hrehorovich couldn’t agree more. “The retreat was the best thing to happen to Stockton a Cappella, because it brought everyone together, regardless of which group they were in,” says the Senior Literature major. “Unity is the driving force for this concert and I couldn't be happier about how things turned out.”

This semester’s concert is sponsored in part by the Stockton Entertainment Team (SET), and free refreshments will be served during intermission. Tickets to this musical extravaganza are $5 in advance, $8 at the door, and can be purchased from any Stockton a Cappella member or from the Campus Center Information Booth. A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross, to benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

If You Go:

Stockton a Cappella Concert!

(Featuring Stockapella, Stocktones & Stockata)

Monday, November 19th, 2012 – 8pm

Richard Stockton College - Campus Center Theatre

Price: $5 advance / $8 at the door