Got male? Hoos in the Stairwell does
‘The guys are just as goofy, fun and Broadway loving as we are so it actually has felt as if nothing has changed’
Founded 2012, Hoos in the Stairwell is taking grounds by storm. They are the only Broadway a cappella group at UVA and recently changed things up a bit. Hoos in the Stairwell has gone coed and boy (pun intended) they are aca-awesome.
The new males made their debut Friday at the UVA Chapel during the HoosITS fall concert. And they packed the house. Well… the Chapel.
To start off with, even if you are not Broadway inclined, the set list is to die for. Songs from Tarzan, Lion King, Legally Blonde the Musical, Wicked, Funny Girl, and so many more.
Music Director Kelly Hart says, “Every semester about a month before our concert, the president and music director send out a Google sheet, onto which all members are free to add their song choices. From here, we all vote in favor of our favorites.
“In the end, the music director makes the final set list from the votes, making sure that there is a diverse list.”
Due to the fact that the stellar group has got some male, Kelly says that with the new additions the possibility for songs is so vast: “Adding tenors, baritones, and basses really add a new dimension to the group, not just in voice parts, but also in the dynamic of the group as a whole.”
When asked what song was her favorite on the fall set list, she admits that it is a difficult question. After listening to all of them, I can see why.
Kelly was able to finally settle on one: “Personally, my favorite is ‘Holding Out for a Hero’. It is a powerful piece, very dynamic, very intriguing. For the group, ‘Tarzan!’ is a favorite, but in general we love all the songs on our list.”
Both Kelly and Spring publicity chair Kimberly O’Keefe were worried about the new additions to the group. Kimberly says “I was worried about going coed because I felt that having guys could change the group dynamic but that turned out to be completely untrue.”
Kimberly continues, “The guys are just as goofy, fun and Broadway loving as we are so it actually has felt as if nothing has changed, other then the new presence of basses.”
Even more moving than every members unbelievable talent, the bond shared between them is lovely. Rising social chair Rachel (Rae) Schelling, says her favorite part of being in the group is “Singing music I love with people who I feel are good friends of mine.”
Kelly refers to the members as family rather than a group: “They make the group the way it is: fun, exciting, loving, forever quirky. They are my family. They are my favorite thing about Hoos in the Stairwell, and I would never exchange them for something else.”
Kimberly says “The people are my favorite part. Not only have we grown as a group musically over the past year but we have grown closer.”
Kelly teases, “Want to know what we will be singing next semester? Guess you will have to come out to our next concert!”
And if you love singing, selling out concerts, broadway, and aca-awesome people, Kelly hopes “that more guys and gals will audition in the spring.”