UCLA Random Voices

Random Voices are a top notch all-female a cappella group out of UCLA, that has accomplished a great deal in recent years. Business manager Gloria Pak took to the time to answer questions from A Cappella Blog co-founder Mike Chin.

A Cappella Blog (ACB): Of the many honors Random Voices have earned in recent years (inclusion in the 2005 Best of Collegiate A Cappella compilation, Contemporary A Cappella Award nominations, etc.) which has meant the most to your group?

Gloria Pak (GP): We are most honored to have been included in the 2005 BOCA because it's a lasting reward that we can share with family, friends and a cappella fans across the nation. We are also very proud of winning Spring Sing three years in a row in the a cappella category.

ACB: Random Voices has participated in the annual California A Cappella Festival. Can you describe this event? What was it like to share to the stage with so many other groups? How did you get involved with it?

GP: We not only participate in CAF, but the founding member of Random Voices began the festival in 2000 to bring Californian collegiate a cappella groups to so. Cal for networking and a chance to share their music and creativity with a so. Cal audience. This event includes an afternoon outdoor concert with 10 invited groups from across the state (informal) and an evening concert in Ackerman Grand Ballroom with a more formal setting. This schoolyear, the festival will be held on April 21st at UCLA as usual.

ACB: Does your group have any unique traditions attached to it?

GP: We are a group of girls who love to sing and have fun. We also rely on each other for moral support and friendship. One of the unique things that we do is we cry a lot together backstage because being in the group means so much to us. I would say CAF is a pretty unique thing attached to Random Voices. It takes tons of work and preparation and we are very proud of organizing it each year.

ACB: I notice that Random Voices is made up of women from a variety of different academic disciplines. How does this affect the dynamics of the group? What are the advantages or disadvantages to this mix?

GP: We love that our group is so ethnically and academically diverse. I think we feed off each others' unique personalities and make it work for us. We have never come across any disadvantages from being a diverse group.

ACB: What is the audition process like for Random Voices?

GP: Auditioning for Random Voices is a two-tiered process. Each fall quarter, we hold open-call auditions for any UCLA female student who loves to sing. From there, we choose about 15 girls for call-back auditions where we look for blend and voice flexibility. Then we go to Denny's to deliberate until the wee hours of the morning and then call the chosen ones immediately after.

ACB: What drew you, personally, to collegiate a cappella in the first place?

GP: I have always been in a singing group since I was nine and I had always wanted to be in a college a cappella group because I love to listen to what voices can do on their own. I almost didn't go to the audition, but the girls convinced me to do so and surprisingly, I made it! I knew it be a huge commitment and Random Voices is pretty much my life now, but I don't regret a moment of it!

ACB: What is your favorite song to perform with Random Voices?

GP: Some of my favorite songs to perform with RV include "If I Ain't Got You" (Alicia Keys), "The Promise" (Tracy Chapman) and "Thank You" (Boyz II Men).

If you would like to learn more about Random Voices, you can visit them online at http://www.randomvoices.com.