Catholic University Take Note
Take Note is a top-notch mixed group out of Catholic University. Group President Kim Clark took the time to answer questions from The A Cappella Blog
The A Cappella Blog: What is the audition process like for Take Note?
Kim Clark (KC): This is Take Note Acapella's third year in existence so we've only had a few auditions up to date. At auditions, we have students fill out a history form explaining previous singing and/or music experience. We also make them answer a goofy question, normally along the lines of, "If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?" or, "Did you cry at the end of Titanic?". We have each auditionee sing a verse and a chorus of a pop/rock song that shows off their range. Next we ask them to sing up and down the scales and harmonize with us. We accept people in based on the spots we need filled and their musical/vocal abilities. A big deciding factor for our officer board is whether or not this auditionee has that special "it" factor we are looking for. We love seeing students that are filled with charisma and positive, upbeat energies!
ACB: How does your group go about deciding which songs to add to its repertoire? Who is responsible for arrangements?
KC: Almost all of our arrangements are purchased from professional a cappella arrangers. Although these can get expensive, we love having songs written custom to our groups needs and strengths. Our group also spends a lot of time thinking ahead, figuring out what songs will be the next big thing. Although we keep in mind not to choose an overplayed song that too many a cappella groups have done. Recently, we've been picking a lot of slow tempo, alternative, ballad pieces. Slower songs are fun to work on because it allows us to closely knit-pick harmonies and hone in on each dynamic at an unhurried pace.
ACB: What drew you, personally, to collegiate a cappella in the first place?
KC: I started an an all girls a cappella group in high school. After we learned our first song, I fell in love with the beauty of only voices filling up space; we truly became the instruments. I knew a cappella was a form of music I had to continue and college was the perfect place to do it!
ACB: If you could have any contemporary singer join your group to sing the solo for one song, who would you pick?
KC: Great question! Christina Aguilera singing a solo would be awesome…who wouldn't want her sultry, pop/rock pipes in front of a group?
ACB: What would you say is the most important element to having a successful collegiate a cappella group?
KC: The most important element is definitely finding your groups identity. Asking questions like, "Who are we?", "What songs define us?" and identifying each sections strengths and weaknesses is good to know. Group bonding can also make a world of difference! We had a slight problem with our collected identity because we lost many members after our first year. The adjustment post-auditions was difficult. We didn't find our groove right away, so we worked on togetherness and getting to know one another musically and personally.
ACB: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of The A Cappella Blog?
KC: In Spring 2009 we recorded our first CD with Diovoce, produced by Vocal Source, whom we consider to be the best in the a cappella industry…Dave Sperandio is a musical genius! So please check us out! Our CD is will be sold on our website, Itunes and other online retailers soon this fall thanks to A Cappella Records! www.takenoteacapella.com
If you would like to learn more about Take Note, you can visit the group online here.