‘Perfect Harmony’ unites a capella groups for first performance together

On Nov. 13, the Martin Center hosted five ETSU student-led a cappella groups in The Grand Hall: Harmonium, The Swashbucklers, Ascension, The Buc Five and Greyscale.

A cappella is a style of musical arrangement where vocalists don’t use any other instruments besides their own voices. This is the first time since COVID-19 that all of ETSU’s a cappella groups have performed together.

“I was really excited to use the space, this was our second time performing as a group this semester and it felt like we really had everything nailed down and we could just have fun together,” said Abbey Dovey.

Dovey is a member of Ascension, one of ETSU’s mixed ensemble a cappella groups. Ascension’s renditions of “Let’s Groove” and “Love Shack” brought audience members straight from 2021 to the golden era of 80’s pop.

Audience members were able to also hear a multitude of genres on Saturday night, from Harmonium’s rock renditions, to Greyscale’s dedication to Dolly Parton. The Swashbucklers and The Buc Five enthralled viewers with their on-stage antics, and Ascension provided a perfect mix of these two aspects with their performance of “Love Shack.”

“Anything we find fun, we’re gonna do it. Entertainment is our number one thing,” said Jacob Perhne, the director of The Swashbucklers, one of ETSU’s men’s a cappella groups. “We absolutely love our brotherhood and love coming together in a musical community at ETSU.”

COVID-19 affected many student-led organizations, especially musical acts. When asked about what the hardest part of working through COVID was, two members said this:

“Definitely scheduling rehearsals and making sure we were in a sanitary environment as well as making sure every member stayed safe during the COVID season.” Perhne said.

“I think the hardest thing was finding our blend as a group. Of course masks makes it difficult to hear each other, as well, and being able to spend time with each other as people. We were fortunate this semester to be able to hang out together more in person and I think the friendships and bonds we’ve made have helped us a lot with our sound,” Dovey said.

For more information on the groups performing you can to each group’s Instagram and Facebook including @HarmoniumETSU, @ETSUSwashbucklers, @ascensionetsu, @TheBucFive_ETSU, and @ETSUGreyscale. For more information on upcoming shows in the Martin Center, go to https://www.etsu.edu/martin-center/.