Collegiate A Cappella Compilations
In Measure for Measure, A Cappella Blog contributor takes a look at both sides of a controversial issue in collegiate a cappella. Please note that the views expressed by columnists do not necessarily represent those of The ACB as an organization, nor do they necessarily represent the view of individual columnists. The purpose of this piece is to explore issues and further civil, intellectual debate.
Each Friday A Cappella Blog contributors will take a look at both sides of a controversial, interesting, or seemingly random statement related to collegiate a cappella.
We welcome you to weigh in on the topic at hand by posting a comment. We also welcome readers to offer up their own statements for our writers to consider, Measure for Measure.
This week, Mike C. and Melissa take on the true and false sides, respectively, of the following statement:
A group does not need to submit its material to large compilations to build credibility or attract attention.
True: There are plenty of ways for a group to develop a reputation for itself, without ever being featured on a major compilation. More often than not, a group's performance speaks for itself. People don't decide their favorite groups based on a single CD track from a compilation. It's usually a matter of seeing a group perform—be it a full length concert by a hometown group, or stellar 12 minute set in competition. At the least, someone could get hooked off of a full-length CD. While compilations are a nice way to introduce yourself to a wider audience, they are far from necessary for a group's success.
False: The majority of groups perform at their best when they're singing in front of a huge crowd of people. What better way to expand that crowd, then, than by reaching outside of your campus to the greater a cappella community? And what better way to do so than by getting on a major compilation, where your Track 5 will likely be heard by all of the fans of the group on Track 1, the group on Track 2, and so on? Who knows...some of those listeners may actively seek out your website, see if you made ICCAs, or even check you out the next time they're near your town. While it's great to have clips on YouTube or facebook, it just doesn't compare to having your group's performance out there alongside the best of the best. Those groups that make it on a compilation are truly the best there is in terms of recorded a cappella. While recordings may not suit everyone's tastes, compilations go a long way in introducing the nation's top groups to a much larger fan base.