Song Selection
On selected Thursdays, ACB Production Manager Mike Scalise makes his recommendations on a cappella performance in a DO and DON’T format.
DO: Make song selections appropriate for your group.
DON'T: Sing songs of the opposite sex.
In competitive a cappella, you will often witness groups singing songs of all different types--fast and slow paced, covers, originals, etc. However, when an all-male or all-female group chooses to sing a song by an artist of the opposite sex, they often can't do it justice. The fact of the matter is that it can be extremely difficult for an all-female group to hit the notes, achieve the tonal quality or embody the aura that comes more naturally to men, singing men's songs. Likewise, men tend to have a difficult time reaching the higher octaves that women can, or capturing the essence of a distinctly feminine song. There are exceptions, of course. A recent Tuesday Tubin' showcased Brigham Young's Noteworthy, an all-female group, singing Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" in which their bold vocals, complemented by their innovative choreography, allowed them to pull this off seamlessly. Likewise, I recall Rochester's Midnight Ramblers drawing a tear or two through their stunning version of Sarah McLachlan's "When She Loved Me." These are exceptions, not the rule. So if you're a single-gendered group, choose your set wisely.