WWU students sing a capella throughout campus

During finals week on campus, Western Washington University’s A capella Club has been caroling in each of the residential dining halls.

The student-run club has just over 30 members. Although members have to undergo a rigorous audition to join the club, the lunch performances are optional because most students are preparing or taking finals.

A capella began four years ago at Western with Undefined, a men’s group that Caleb Clapp now directs.

Hazel Bell-Robinson says it is a tradition for a capella groups to have quirky names. She is the director of Major Treble, the women’s a capella group now in its second year.

Bell-Robinson has been singing as long as she can remember and has a few years of experience in a capella.

“Singing defines me,” Bell-Robinson said. “It is a great team builder and community feeling.”

Western is home to a total of four a capella groups. The Viking Hammer Tones is a self-directed mixed group also in its second year. The fourth a capella group at Western is All Aboard, which is open to anyone interested. The group rehearses every Thursday.

Wednesday, Dec. 8, the group performed in the Fairhaven Commons. Student onlookers began crowding around the group near the salad bar applauding after each song.

Alesha Perrin, Western sophomore, has been involved in choir and singing most of her life but hadn’t sung a capella until she came to Western. Perrin auditioned and landed a spot in spring 2010. She says most students learn about Western’s a capella group through the booth the group runs at the info fair, but they also have a growing Facebook page.

Alex Cutler says he usually gets nervous for the groups performances but the lunchtime performances aren’t as nerve racking.