It isn't easy to find an organization that can adequately balance raising money and practicing while still managing to enjoy themselves.
The Buffalo Chips, UB's first and only all male a cappella group, is an exception.
Now performing for their tenth year on campus, the group has proven that work and play can go hand in hand, and are looking forward to hosting two performances this weekend.
Members of the group, both old and new, said that their show-which is full of great music, fun and audience involvement-is not only an experience for them, but for those who come to their shows.
"We're looking forward to a lot of audience participation with our songs and sketches," said Nicholas Aloisio, a junior biomedical science major and public relations officer for the group.
Aloisio, who is performing for his third year with the Chips, auditioned as a freshman.
"I sang a cappella music in high school and I knew I had to keep that part of my life. When I found out the Chips existed I had to try out."
Patrick Hines, a junior undecided major, also had experience singing in high school groups. After seeing a college a cappella group from Rochester, he was inspired to continue his singing career at UB. He said he loves being a part of the Chips for a variety of reasons.
"It's the concerts," said Hines. "The fans are great and it's fun to get people you've never seen before interested in a cappella."
Those who attend a Buffalo Chips concert can expect to see a wide variety of music, from rock and pop to jazz. What makes the group so unique is their devotion to creating a fun and entertaining concert atmosphere.
"We try to do an eclectic mix of songs. There's a stigma associated with a cappella being snappy and stiff, but we try to appeal to a wide variety of groups with more modern and popular music," said Hines.
This weekend the Chips will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday nights, and will perform a variety of music, ranging from Billy Joel to Ben Folds Five.
John Sullivan, a junior vocal performance and political science major who is the musical director for the Chips, said that their music selection is generally left up to the individual members of the group.
"If one of the guys thinks that we should perform a song, he'll arrange it and we'll learn it," said Sullivan. "There are ups and downs to that approach, but in the end it does help to maintain some sense of variety, since each member of the group is going to have their own unique, specific musical tastes."
The Chips rehearse twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday, for two and three hour sessions, and perform throughout the community at least once a week. Besides the three concerts they perform at UB each year, the Chips perform at area high schools, coffee shops and with other college groups. In addition, they frequently participate in tours across the state, and are currently working on producing a new CD.
They also audition for new members once a year in the fall.
Michael Donohue, a sophomore electrical engineering major, is one of five new members of the Buffalo Chips, and said that he couldn't be happier to be a part of the organization.
"I used to be in a lot of formal groups that were really uptight. You get to let loose with the Buffalo Chips," said Donohue. "We take ourselves seriously, but not too seriously."
Donohue said that one of the reasons he loves being a part of the groups is the relationship that exists between the guys and their ability to be laid back yet productive at the same time.
"If we're not being productive and having fun then the group isn't going right," he said. "We have good leaders who make sure everything gets done but we still have fun."
Aaron Krowlikowski, a freshman undecided major, is another of the Chips newest members.
"We're singing to them and they get involved in the energy you put out. The audience is as much as a part of the performance as the group," Krowlikowski said. "I had a lot of choices of where to go to school and I don't know if I'd be having this much fun if I went to school anywhere else. The Chips are awesome."
The Buffalo Chips will be performing on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre. Tickets will be available at the door, and the cost for the performance is $5 for one show or $6 for both nights.
