A capella groups sing for student pleasure
Academical Village People, Virginia Gentlemen, Hullabahoos charm crowds with performances

By STEPHANIE DELONG
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

It is that time of year again. The time male singers endure the scales, pitch memory and "My Country `Tis of Thee" required to audition for any one of the University's all-male a capella groups: Academical Village People, Virginia Gentlemen and Hullabahoos.

The youngest of the three groups is the two-year-old Academical Village People. The 16-member group rehearses six hours per week to achieve its vocal quality and characteristic antics.

"What makes our group unique is our commitment to entertaining at any cost," said Mark Stancil, AVP president and fourth-year College student.

Evidence of that willingness emerged during the Rotunda Sing, as AVP performed its rendition of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," complete with moonwalk and slides.

AVP members received the desired response at the concert and during the rest of the week. A few days after the Sing, third-year Engineering student Josh Diehl said, "I especially fancied the Michael Jackson number."

Traveling plays a big part in AVP's schedule. This fall, AVP will go north, to Philadelphia, to sing with the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra. And during a trip to Virginia Beach, from August 20-24, "the low point in the group's short history occurred," Stancil said. The trip's purpose was a rehearsal week that concluded with a performance on the water the last night.

"One night, two girls at the Videohut lured us back to sing for them while they were working there. We ended up getting free movies, although we never watched them."

Antics like those associated with the Michael Jackson song make AVP "the most entertaining" of the male groups, third-year College student Samantha Allen said.

Whereas AVP may be known for its humor, the Virginia Gentlemen are known for their suave manner and melodious sound. Founded as an octet in 1953, the VGs have grown into a 14-member group. They perform at a variety of occasions and places, like nursing homes and dormitories, for a total of about 80 performances each year.

The Virginia Gentlemen sing their trademark renditions of songs like Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia" and Pink Floyd's "On the Turning Away." The hand-clapping rhythm of "Cecilia" adds to the musical quality of the song.

Although the VGs may not claim to be as crazy as AVP, their name and manner reflects their traditional quality and attracts devoted fans.

"Because there is a tradition of excellence, we strive to uphold that tradition by putting forth great music in a professional manner," said Kevin Ritz, Virginia Gentlemen president and third-year College student.

Like AVP, the VGs do much traveling.

"This fall break, we are planning to sing at Duke [University] or [the University of North Carolina], then perform in Atlanta for the annual U.Va. Alumni Bull Roast, one of the largest [University] alumni gatherings in the South," said Jim Holmburg, Virginia Gentlemen member and fourth-year College student. "We're also hoping to spend a day at Six Flags and sing for some high schools in the area."

"We have performed as far north as New York City and as far south as the Caribbean [last spring break]," Ritz said.

The Hullabahoos, just as AVP and the VGs, also have a certain personality. One obvious trademark is their colorful bathrobes.

"The patterns represent the individuality within the group," said Kevin Fudge, Hullabahoo president and fourth-year College student.

"My [bathrobe's] material is batiq from Senegal," said Nick Taylor, second-year College student and Hullabahoos member.

We put "a tremendous amount of soul in whatever we do, be it Boston or Boys II Men," Fudge said.

That soul is apparent in Hullabahoo performances is another part of the group's flavor. The "B'hoos," as they like to be called, also are known for their sense of humor, which emerges in their shows and in member's actions around Grounds. This year, they have T-shirts reading, "The Hullabahoos - The $6,878.75 Tour." The inspiration for the shirts comes from the Hullabahoos' Winnebago rear-ending a truck when they toured various colleges last year. The $6,878.75 was the amount the Hullabahoos had to pay for the accident.

During that trip, the group "just put out a hat and went for broke" while singing in a market, Fudge said. They earned enough money for dinner that night.

While the members' talent and musical selection are one explanation for the devoted followers, something more makes the groups so appealing to so many.

Although second-year College student Terri Miller said she attends the concerts "for the music and atmosphere, a lot of girls go partly to look at the guys."

"I just think it's fun to go and watch them," first-year Engineering student Brad Pantuck said. "I like hearing good singers perform."

For some fans, however, attending male a capella group performances is a priority.

"Some of my suitemates last year attended every social event that included the Hullabahoos and Virginia Gentlemen," second-year College student Dawn Davis said.

"Even non-U.Va. students will make time to come to U.Va. just to see certain groups," first-year College student Pat Anyaso said.

"We always get a warm response at other schools," Fudge said.

But third-year College student Laura Ann DeHart said she does not believe [such devoted fans] constitute groupies. "I think the groupies are friends who know [group members] from classes or other organizations," DeHart said.