www.cmu.edu/news: After classes end and faculty head home, Carnegie Mellon University's Cohon University Center becomes a hub of student activity. Halls are filled with the sounds of racquet ball games, study groups and dinner conversations.
On one Tuesday in late April, robust music makes its way to the ears of a facilities employee who stops, listens and pokes his head into The Originals rehearsal to offer a big thumbs up.
4 comments:
It's cool to see the Originals getting so much recognition lately! I feel like every time I go on Facebook there's a new post about them. Having been forced to watch just about every Originals ICCA performance in recent history, I can definitely say that they have gotten SO much better this year. First of all, they changed their outfits, which seems insignificant, but actually changes performance a lot. By giving each performer their own look with the same basic color scheme, it gives them all individuality. This year, they also improved their choreography a lot. The choreo goes with all of the songs they perform, and creates a story within their set. The arrangements are also extraordinary this year. Their first song is a pop song, but not an extremely overplayed pop song, and it is very well done. Kyle's stage presence makes him the perfect soloist for this song. Their second song is extremely unique, and very unlike most a capella performances. It is slow and creepy while still being very powerful. There are moments in the second song that blow me away every single time I hear them. Finally, their third song is absolutely breathtaking. Ramsey, obviously, has an incredible voice that is perfectly suited for this song. In this song again, the choreo goes perfectly with the song. There is not much choreo, but the movement is so powerful and adds so much to the performance.
They have worked so ridiculously hard, and they have put in hundreds of hours of rehearsal for this.
However, their vocal percussion could use some work.
It is so nice to the Originals getting the recognition they deserve. I feel like a see a new article or code every time I go on Facebook. Having been forced to watch practically every Originals ICCA performance in recent history, I can definitely see why they are going so much farther this year. They have changed so many things that have drastically improved the group. First, they changed their outfits, which doesn't seem like much, but it changes their entire stage presence so much. By giving the performers unique looks with a similar color scheme, the look is still cohesive while maintaining individuality. The choreo has also improved a lot this year. The movements go perfectly with each song so that both the choreo and the songs in the set create a story within their set. The arrangements are also extraordinary this year. Levels is the perfect opening number, and Kyle's stage presence makes it even better. The harmonies in the song make it much richer than the original pop song. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is creepy and slow but still extremely powerful. Several parts of that song still blow me away every time I hear them. Finally, Stone Cold is absolutely stunning. Ramsey's gorgeous voice, combined with his acting abilities make the song enormously powerful. The choreo in this number also adds so much to it, since the movements are so understated but they still add a lot to the emotional impact of the number.
Overall, they have put in so many hours and so much work into this set. They completely deserve to have gone this far.
However, their vocal percussion could use some work.
I think that it is great how the arts on CMU’s campus is blossoming everywhere, not just on the School of Drama Stage.The mix of people in these acapella groups is what makes them so amazing. I am so happy for everyone that is a part of this acappella group, as it is really cool that they get to go on and perform with people from around the world. I didn’t realize how big finals was. I was talking with Claire, who is friends with someone in the group, and she mentioned that they perform on the same stage that the Tony’s is on. That is just an amazing thing that they all get to experience. I saw it on Snapchat, and was really cool to hear snippets from everyone competing including the Originals. I hope they do well and have fun in the process!
I didn’t know that CMU had an a cappella group, let alone a half dozen. I’m not surprised that a group from CMU is headed to the finals for this competition. While it may not be popular, I am a fan of this type of music. I think that it shows incredible talent and creativity to not rely on instruments to drive the music. It also comes as no surprise to me that many of the members talked about in the article have a background in math/engineering. While living in the dorms at Michigan, I learned that all the people in my hall who were in the marching band were math, science or engineering majors. After reading the article, I Googled the results and The Originals came in second place with special awards for outstanding soloist and outstanding choreography. Congratulations to all involved in The Originals and the a cappella community at CMU!
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