The Harvard Law Scales of Justice
The Scales of Justice is a mixed group, composed entirely of students from Harvard Law School. Rachel Boynton, the president of this unique collection of musicians, took the time to answer questions from A Cappella Blog co-founder Mike Chin.
A Cappella Blog (ACB): What motivated the creation of Scales of Justice? How long has the group been around?
Rachel Boynton (RB): Scales of Justice was founded in October 1991 by Ellen Chubin '93 and Gail Javitt '93. Scales of Justice is Harvard Law School's only a cappella ensemble. We're unique at the law school in providing this type of entertainment and also in that we can provide brief concerts and perform at varying times during the year and for many different audiences. We provide the opportunity for members of the law school community to take a break from legal studies and enjoy some popular songs as well as original compositions. In addition to providing an outlet for our members to show their artistic sides, Scales also brings performance to the law school throughout the year. We hold our own concerts each term and also sing in the 1L contracts classes (an original composition called Estoppel), at the Public Interest Auction (where we also auction off a concert) and at a variety of other events (for example, when professors request audio-visual aids, at charitable events, and other gatherings on the HLS campus and at other Harvard graduate schools). We also dedicate our spring concert to a local charity and use the concert as an opportunity to raise money for the charity, which supports our commitment to both the HLS community and the local community in Cambridge.
ACB: Given the busy schedules that members of your group keep as students at Harvard Law, how do you find time take part in this ensemble?
RB: We keep our rehearsal schedule to a minimum, and are flexible with our members' busy schedules.
ACB: Collegiate a cappella groups typically consist of men and women, roughly 18-22 years old. Given that your group draws from a pool of individuals enrolled in law school, do you find a larger span of ages? If so, how does this affect the dynamics of the group?
RB: Our current age span is from 19-30, and we consist of both men and women. It gives us all a chance to meet different people from varying backgrounds, with whom we may not otherwise have crossed paths. I really appreciate having Scales of Justice to create this intersection.
ACB: Were many members of your group involved in a cappella groups during their undergraduate careers?
RB: Many members were involved in music in one form or another, though not necessarily a cappella groups.
ACB: In recent years, Scales of Justice has contributed to a number of charitable causes. Can you talk about what causes you have supported, and how you have gone about doing so?
RB: We have participated in the Public Interest Auction for the past few years by performing for the audience and then auctioning ourselves off to the highest bidder. This helps to raise money for law students to work in pro bono public interest jobs over the summer. Each spring we use our concert to raise money for a local charity by donating our proceeds.
ACB: How does your group go about deciding what songs to add to its repertoire? Who is responsible for arrangements?
RB: We decide our repertoire as a group. We have a library of arrangements, which has been expanded by sharing music arrangements with other groups and by talented group members who have written arrangements for us.
ACB: What is your favorite song to perform with Scales of Justice?
RB: That's a tough question, I like them all.
ACB: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of The A Cappella Blog?
RB: Thank you for interviewing us, and please feel free to visit our website at http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/scales/.