On Oct 17 at 9 p.m. in the Heritage Auditorium, “In aCHORDance” won Harding’s version of The Sing-Off after competing against two other groups and will open for Pentatonix at their sold-out concert on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 p.m during I Heart H.U. Week.
The groups each sang a song of their choice and then a Michael Jackson song selected by the Campus Activities Board that four judges evaluated before picking a winner. The groups that participated in the competition were Vocal Fusion, In aCHORDance, and Tuned In.
“When I booked Pentatonix, I was told that they didn’t have an opener planned with their tour,” said Director of the Campus Activities Board Logan Light. “I started brainstorming and thought it would be great if one of our vocal groups were given the chance to open for them. After working with their management, they agreed and the event was born.”
Each group sang songs that varied from “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence to a mash-up of “Paradise” by Coldplay and “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry.
“Each group blew me away,” said Junior CAB co-director and student judge Holly Bohnett said. “I was particularly impressed with the group that won, In aCHORDance, because they were composed of just seven members and displayed a wide variety of talent and energy. I like smaller groups because there is a greater opportunity for individual members to be heard.”
Light said he believes that opening for Pentatonix will be a great opportunity for In aCHORDance to get to work on stage in front of a crowd and will give them a taste of what it is like to be professional musicians.
Sophomore member of In aCHORDance Savannah Morris said that it was an incredible experience to take part in the competition and to have the opportunity to open for Pentatonix.
“The most valuable thing I took away from performing at the Sing Off was the love and support I had from all my friends and group members,” Morris said. “I am amazed by all of the love and talent I see at Harding. God is so good. I am extremely excited about opening for Pentatonix. Our whole group is ecstatic. We have worked so hard and have put so much time and effort into our group; it feels like a huge accomplishment to have won. We are going to do our best and just have fun opening for Pentatonix.”
Senior Tuned In member Chris Brown said the best part about performing is being able to get together with friends and have a good time.
“It was great to be able to sing in front of our friends and feel the rush of being in front of a crowd,” Brown said. “Even though the organization of the event was scattered and ever-changing, I can say that our group would participate in something like this again. No question.”
Morris said that music is a wonderful gift from God and a universal language. She encourages others to not be afraid to show their talents.
“Students should know that everyone needs to let their talents shine,” Morris said. “God gave them out for a reason. Do not be afraid to show your talents. Do what you love to do. Live your life to the fullest and make the most out of every situation.”
