Student a cappella groups from five Philadelphia area universities gathered in Cardinal Foley Campus Center March 3 to perform in St. Joe’s a cappella Invitational.
The invitational was hosted by Hawkapella, St. Joe’s gender-inclusive a cappella group, and 54th and City, St. Joe’s all-men’s a capella group. Performing alongside them were St. Joe’s City Belles, Temple University’s Broad Street Line, The College of New Jersey’s Trentones, Widener University’s Keepin’ it Trill and two groups from Drexel University, 8 To The Bar and The TrebleMakers.
Unlike some invitationals, there were no winners and losers. It was all about engaging the audience.
Olivia Morris ’24, president of Widener University’s first-ever a cappella group, Keepin’ It Trill, said a takeaway for her was the bonding time and connections Keepin’ It Trill made.
“Being able to perform in front of respected people who also love to share their music is a really fun experience,” Morris said.
A lot of people showed up to share that love. Hawkapella’s president, Susana Hresko ’24, said the turnout was the biggest she had ever seen.
“Every group there came up to me and they were like, ‘Oh, my gosh, there’s a lot of people here,’” Hresko said. “I honestly wasn’t expecting this many.”
Each group sang two songs, including audience favorites like Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance/Poker Face,” performed by Keepin’ it Trill, and Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” performed by Broad Street Line.
For Hawkapella members, being able to sing with each other is just part of why they love what they do. The other part, Hresko said, is the fulfillment they get from singing for others, whether that is at the St. Joe’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony in December or Hot Dogs For Haiti in the spring.
“It puts a smile on our faces when we are making other people happy and brightening their day,” Hresko said.
Nathan Kong, president of 8 to The Bar, said he was glad his group got good audience approval, but what was more important to him was that everyone was happy to be there.
“It’s been really nice just to see familiar faces come together from different schools and make a fun night happen,” Kong said.
