Music drifts from the small ensemble room in Baird Hall where the Royal Pitches, UB's only all-women a cappella ensemble, are practicing - their voices resonate around the small room. Even though they are only 12 girls, there is a sense that a large band is accompanying them.
The girls sway back and forth to the rhythm created by their own voices as they give direction to the newest members, teaching them a song that won them best solo performance last year at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA)- Caged Bird by Alicia Keys.
Aside from the annual ICCA competition, the Royal Pitches also perform at their annual winter and spring concerts, various Student Association banquets including Malaysian Night and Take Back the Night, as well as at high schools in the area. Additionally, they have opened for a cappella groups at neighboring universities.
"Sometimes when we perform at banquets our only payment is dinner," said Shannyn Dewey, a senior nursing major who is one of the group's student directors, along with fellow senior, Maddi Zachacz.
Dewey and Zachacz keep the group organized and the practice sessions flowing smoothly. They also make arrangements for out of town performances.
"Basically, anything that needs to be done in order to keep the group running smoothly, we do it," Dewey said.
Although the Pitches lost seven girls to graduation at the end of last year, they still remain strong in their passion for singing and their goals in gaining more recognition around campus.
"This is a rebuilding year for us, and we have to make all new contacts through all the new people we're gaining. We also have to work hard to keep the old ones who have helped us in the past," Crelly said.
After holding auditions last spring, the Royal Pitches performed all over the Rochester and Buffalo area teaching the four new girls their songs. An additional two new members were added to the group within the past few weeks, out of over 30 girls who auditioned.
To build team unity, the Royal Pitches retreat to Alleghany every summer to learn new songs and practice.
The new members have a lot to live up to. Last year's group placed third overall at the annual ICCA competition, which was held in Syracuse. In 1999, they placed first in round one and went on to compete in New York City. They also advanced to the second round in 2003.
Last year, former member Sarah Stanistreet won best solo in a subdivision of the ICCA competition and won second runner up overall.
At the ICCA competition, the participating states are split up into six regions within the U.S. The groups are judged based on choreography, stage presence, vocals, pitch, harmony and the complexity of the arrangement. Each ensemble is given 12 minutes of performance time and each second they go over is penalized.
"A cappella isn't only about the sound of the group, but the appearance and energy the group radiates from the stage," said Saralin Crelly, one of the group's altos and a sophomore occupational therapy major.
What makes a good Royal Pitch? According to Crelly, compatibility is the key to making it into the group.
"If you have a great solo, but are hunched over and have a bad attitude then we're not going to take you," Crelly said. "Also we look for blending, during auditions we have the girls sing their perspective parts in one of our songs. If you can hear their voice over the rest of us then that doesn't make the group sound good."
Revenue from their annual winter and spring concerts, as well as money allotted to them from the Student Association, provides the money the group needs for trips to the annual ICCA competition. When money gets really tight, the Royal Pitches depend on bake sales.
The group will also be recording a CD, due for public release in November, which will also provide them with the money to attend out of town performances. It will be the second in the group's history. The members of the Royal Pitches recorded a CD five years ago called "Ramblings from Carlo."
For now, the Royal Pitches are focusing on getting the word out about their group.
"I would definitely go and see them. I think it would be fun," said Sarah Henry, a senior exercise science major. "I've just never heard of their group."
The girls are open to singing at any event, be it a Student Association banquet or a local community function.
"We are a student run group, funded by money out of our own pockets and we arrange all of our own music," Crelly said. "All we want is for people not to be afraid to come up and talk to us when we're signing in the Student Union. We just want more recognition on campus."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
