For the first time in recent Hackley history, an all-male a cappella group is joining Hackley’s flourishing performing arts program. While Girls’ Chorus and Songbirds are well-known around school, there have not been many opportunities for boys to sing, until now with aspirations for the group’s first year to be a successful one which forms a lasting Hackley tradition.

A cappella is becoming an entertaining and important way for singers to explore music in a fun and exciting way through teamwork and collaboration with others, and also has been featured in popular culture, including in movies like Pitch Perfect.

The group, which is led by music teacher Megan Fogarty, was inspired by a well-received visit from the Bucknell Bison Chips, all-male a cappella group last fall, and an interest from last year’s rising freshman class. The group has been made into a reality this year as it was offered for the first time as a minor class, and currently has seven participating members: freshman Philip Bonanno, Jerome Francis, Jack Kneisley, Robert Patterson, and Dillon Schaevitz, and sophomores Connor Larson and Ben Moskow.

During practices, which happen three times per seven-day cycle, the group practices singing, harmonizing, and collaborating, and works on voice exercises. In the short time that this pro- gram has been running, its members have become a close-knit group. They must work well together to perform at their best.

Members agree that being a member of the a capella group is very much like being a part of a sports team — everyone has to collaborate and coordinate. “Being in the group has helped [us] with teamwork and listening to others and harmonizing, and working together to create a finished product,” said sophomore Connor Larson. Even though the a capella group only started recently, the group’s members view it as a great activity, and a fun environment with very friendly people. “The dynamic of the group is really great it’s a lot of fun. We all laugh and work together. We’re all friends,” said Connor.

While the group’s seven members are already close-knit, they still would “definitely encourage other boys to join,” said Connor. Anyone interested in joining the group should meet with Ms. Fogarty or sign up for a capella as a class next year.

While the male a cappella group is still coming together, the members hope that the group will become an important part of the Hackley performing arts community and hope perform later in the year.