A good a cappella group makes up for the lack of non-vocal instruments with excellent harmonies, a solid and rhythmic human beat box and the spirit and energy to carry the music all by its self. Groovestand constantly excels at each one.

Syracuse University’s only mixed-gender a cappella group performed its final concert of the year Saturday night in Grant Auditorium. The free show began at 8 p.m., and went thorough a set of 10 songs, including some of the group’s better-known arrangements such as ‘Come On Eileen’ by Save Ferris, ‘Let Me Go’ by Cake and ‘Breaking The Girl’ by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the show,’ said Stephen Anthony, a freshman drama major. ‘I love their enthusiasm. They seem to have never-ending exploding energy, and it exudes from every pore.’

The group combined an extensive variety of genres for its songs, including everything from classic rock to Disney tunes, with a wide range of group harmony to create an interesting hour-and-a-half show. With the ability to choose from songs for all genders, different soloists could lead arrangements in unique and original ways. It’s always distinctive, and each show is great, said Gina Alterio, president of Groovestand and a junior fashion design major.

‘The best part of Groovestand is the fact that it’s not associated with a musical organization; it’s just a bunch of people who like to get together and sing,’ said Gary Pollack, former president of Groovestand and a 2004 Syracuse graduate.

The group’s popularity drove in wildly enthusiastic fans. From people dancing in the back of the auditorium to those just happy to sit and sing along, everyone seemed to have a smile on their face as the music began. They continued to do so right up until the show ended.

‘I love it,’ said Andrew Kurman, a member of Groovestand and a sophomore marketing major. ‘(Groovestand) is a great way to meet people and get involved with the a cappella scene, which is pretty strong here. I can’t say enough great things about it.’

The performance was an emotional one as there were multiple members of the group who were graduating on to hopefully bigger and better things. All the seniors were great, and it’s like the end of an era since many of them are original members of the group, Alterio said.

The night was concluded with a year-end tradition of having any Groovestand alumni sing ‘In My Life’ by The Beatles. Many of the founding members were in the audience, and took their places amongst the a cappella group for one more performance. The tradition was started because a lot of people were leaving, and the group wanted a way to bring their former members back up on stage, Pollack said.

‘(The alumni coming back up) shows how much dedication and heart they have,’ said Stephanie Diaz, a sophomore musical theater major. ‘People come back after they leave because they have a home in their a cappella group.’

After an unannounced encore of ‘Fallen’ by Alicia Keys, the group went around to give its last goodbyes to the senior members and wrap up another full musical year of Groovestand.

‘This year Groovestand has had its ups and downs, but we’ve made it through,’ Alterio said, ‘and as you can see from this final concert that we’ve done pretty well.’

Published on May 1, 2005 at 12:00 pm