Monday, 6/2/97 A cappella group awakens students to different
sounds MUSIC: Long practices, different opinions can’t crimp
musicians’ style
By Terry Tang Daily Bruin Contributor Most artists who try to
bring a song to life require an instrumental accompaniment in
addition to catchy lyrics. However, in a cappella, the human voice
is the artist’s sole instrument. Some UCLA students are opening
their ears to the sound of singing – minus the instruments –
through the voices of Awaken A Cappella. With 15 singers – all UCLA
students – Awaken A Cappella has grown from an idea conceived by
four students in a Sproul Hall laundry room to one of the most
respected collegiate singing groups. Now winding down its fifth
year, the group has collected several awards, recorded one CD and
toured such cities as Washington, D.C. and New York. They plan to
perform their final concert of the year Wednesday at the Northwest
Auditorium. The concert not only consists of singing, but dancing,
skits and an encore of "Totally Awaken," the routine performed at
the Spring Sing in April. But above all the traveling and
recognition, Awaken strives to consistently entertain people
through a medium they truly enjoy. "There is no other kind of
feeling like knowing I can touch people with my closest friends,"
says Lily Liu, a third-year art student and one of the Awaken
vocalists. Growing up with a mother and grandmother who sang
professionally, Liu honed her own talent as a dancer in high
school. Yet, she credits Awaken for really whetting her appetite
for singing when she was a first-year student at UCLA. "Nobody’s
been able to shut me up." says Liu. " I need some kind of avenue
for singing." Five years ago, Liu wouldn’t have had an opportunity
like Awaken. At that time, there were no a cappella groups
affiliated with UCLA. Awaken A Cappella was born from the original
members’ desire to "awaken" UCLA to a different sound of music.
This is the first year Awaken has performed without any of its
founding members. The group meets at least twice a week for
two-hour practice sessions. However, Liu admits that rehearsals
don’t always go smoothly because of the students’ different
personalities. Also, being within the same age group, Awaken’s
members maintain equal footing and nobody has real authority over
the rest. "Everyone likes to put in their 25 cents," Liu says. For
director Vince Villanueva, a third-year music education student,
practice sessions sometimes make him feel like he is in an awkward
position. He must select all the music and teach it to the group
within a short span of time. "I am directing the group, but I am
the same age as the students." Villanueva says. But despite their
differences, Awaken members have developed close friendships.
Because of all the time spent working together, rehearsals serve as
experiences in bonding as well as leadership. At a school as large
as UCLA, it is often difficult to find a place among friends
outside of class and extracurricular activities. "Awaken breaks
down the UCLA community to 15 people … It makes the place a whole
lot less scary and UCLA more comprehensible," Villanueva comments.
Even outside of practice sessions, the group spends time together
at each others’ homes and during vacations, getting to know one
another as individuals. This genuine camaraderie makes it easier to
communicate on and off stage. Liu recounts one vacation they spent
at a cabin at Lake Arrowhead, and ended up singing and talking
until 4 a.m. "It blows me away to hear them singing," Liu says.
"Everyone has something not musical that wows everyone else." The
diversity of personalities within Awaken also reflects the musical
repertoire. Pete Conolly, a third-year design student and Awaken’s
media supervisor, arranges all the performance medleys. He takes
songs based on the members’ different tastes in music – funk, jazz,
pop or disco to create a mixture for Awaken to harmonize. Although
Awaken occasionally participates in professional competitions, the
group considers themselves entertainers. Instead of a mantel piled
high with trophies, praise from the general public rewards them
more. "To win an award is nice, but to be recognized as a group is
more of an award," Liu says. "I am proud to be noticed as being
affiliated with Awaken." Often, Awaken promotes the sounds of a
cappella by singing on the streets, in restaurants and other
various places. They take enjoyment in watching the crowd’s
reactions upon hearing them stretch the limits of the human voice.
According to Conolly, people will stop to dance, clap along, or
watch with utter curiosity. "We went on tour to San Francisco, sang
on the street. We’d stop someone in their tracks," Conolly says.
"You’ve affected them." With graduation approaching, Awaken expects
a change in faces. The group will lose at least two of its members.
However, Villanueva isn’t worried. Despite all the friendships
formed, music remains the primary focus. Fall Quarter, auditions
will be held in order for the groups to seek out talented singers
who can also have fun simply making music. "Most importantly is
making memories, getting to know people and always singing,"
Villanueva says. MUSIC: Awaken A Cappella performs Wednesday at the
Northwest Auditorium. Admission is free. For more information, call
824-1083. BAHMAN FARAHDEL Awaken A Capella performing at the 1997
Spring Sing.