Multicolored Christmas lights, garland, red stockings and 15 unique voices transformed Muenzinger Auditorium from lecture room to concert hall Friday night at Mile 21’s end-of-the-semester concert.
Mile 21, a co-ed a cappella group at CU, blew its audience away with the debut of five new songs.
One student couldn’t get enough of “Represent, Cuba” from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
“They did an awesome job on Represent,” said Renee Roy, a junior psychology major. “A lot of my friends are in Mile 21, so I always come to the concerts to support them. Plus, the music is great.”
Other songs that were heard for the first time by Mile 21 fans included “Can’t Take It All,” “Reasons Why,” “In the Morning” and the finale, “Seasons of Love,” which received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Crowd members couldn’t get over the amazing lengths the singers could stretch their voices.
“It’s amazing what they can do with their voices. It makes a different kind of music,” said sophomore electrical engineering major Michael Roth.
These praised voices are not going unheard. This year, Mile 21 will be competing in the International Championship of Collegiate a Cappella. The group will be heading to California later next semester to compete.
Mile 21 members have worked hard to get to this competition.
“We practice three days a week for two hours, which is almost like a part time job, only it is fun,” said Darcy Keady, a Mile 21 member and a junior communication major.
Keady said her favorite part of being in Mile 21 is the group culture.
“Through the three years our group has existed, we have become very close friends. We try to get together outside of practice at least once a week to hang out with each other,” she said.
The group is selling its CD, “Sing,” which can be bought by contacting a member of the group or visiting www.mile-21.com. The CDs cost $10.
Opening for Mile 21 was the newest a cappella group to CU, On the Rocks. The group, also heading to The International Championship of Collegiate a Cappella, is entirely female and composed of 10 members. They will be holding auditions for new singers on Tuesday in UMC 381.
