For fans of harmonies, pop music and no piano or guitar in sight, an a cappella music group and class is now officially present on campus.
At the beginning of the semester, students at Wright State were given a chance to audition to join Ethos, a newly formed a cappella group.
Students who did well in auditions were called back for second audition before final selections were made. Like many musical ensembles at WSU, Ethos is also a course that can be taken for credit. Currently, there are eight members in the group.
Brody McDonald, who is the instructor for the course and also a music teacher at Fairmont High School, explained how the idea of an a cappella group became reality.
“Dr. Hank Dahlman and Dr. Randall Paul approached me about the idea,” said McDonald. “Given the popularity of a cappella groups, they felt this would be a good addition to the music department as well as a group that could entertain at various university functions.”
“So far this year we have had auditions and we work on our performances and then we practice our music and how we cover the songs,” said Anna Townsend, a music major.
The group covers Top 40 songs from artists such as The Band Perry, Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse.
“It’s been really awesome, the calibers of musicians we have are higher, and it’s different from what I’ve experienced [in the past],” said Reed Eggenschwiller, another Ethos member.
Students will have a chance to see Ethos’ first scheduled performance during the annual Holidays in the Heartland concert, which features performances from all WSU choral ensembles. This year Holidays in the Heartland will be held November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Schuster Center in Dayton.
