Ringing in the new academic year on Friday, Aug. 25 were none other than Hamilton’s very own a cappella groups with a concert to welcome first-year students and upperclassmen alike back to campus. Presented by Duelly Noted, Hamilton’s youngest all-gender a cappella group, “Down the Babbitt Hole” featured must-see performances by the Buffers, Special K, Tumbling After and The Hamiltones all in one night. With a repertoire of hits, ballads and everything in between, the a cappella scene could not have kicked off the new semester in a more entertaining way.
Hamilton’s only all-male a cappella group, the Buffers, was the opening act and captivated the audience with a balance of high-tempo and heartfelt selections. The group’s original sense of humor and crowd-pleasing harmonies have established them as a Hamilton staple for decades. Dressed in their signature suits with trendy navy blazers, the Buffers brought the power with their dynamic opening track followed by a warm, moving ballad. The closing tune was an upbeat love song that exuded passion and sentiment and left a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of those in attendance.
Next up was Hamilton’s oldest all-female a cappella group, Special K, with their own brand of musical flavor. Decked out in all black, the group of singers rode the wave of energy left off by the previous act and delivered powerful pieces that left the Hamilton student body in awe. The songs were full of soul and displayed the heart that each member put into their craft to create eloquent, vibrant music for all to enjoy. The band of sisters closed their performance with an empowering track that pumped up those in attendance. The young women exuded confidence with unmatched poise, composure and vocal range, which made them a tough act to follow.
The following group, however, did not disappoint. The Hamiltones, one of Hamilton’s premier all-gender a cappella groups, burst onto the stage with nothing but excitement and eagerness to sing their hearts out. Their first song was a classic Britney Spears piece that encouraged sing-alongs from the crowd, followed by a high-spirited middle number that indeed uplifted spirits after a whirlwind of a first week back on campus. Their beach-themed attire, made complete with fashionable flowery shirts, represented the last taste of summer vibes before the weather cools down for the fall. Their closer was as dynamic and unique as the members themselves, making for an impressionable and unforgettable first Hamiltones appearance of the semester.
Afterwards came Tumbling After, Hamilton’s youngest all-female a cappella group that sported a forest green look, reflective of the earthy fall colors that paint Hamilton’s campus each year. With a fiery intensity like no other, TA added their own eclectic musical tastes to the show with a mix of gentle and robust pieces that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Their rendition of “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child was empowering and proved to be a definite hit among the audience of Hamilton students, and doubled as a great song choice to set the tone for a successful semester ahead for everyone.
Last but certainly not least, the highly anticipated main event arrived in the form of Hamilton’s one-of-a-kind all-gender a cappella group Duelly Noted, the newest outfit of them all. Befitting the theme of the concert, the members of the group were dressed in costume for their comedic skit, “Down the Babbitt Hole,” inspired by the beloved tale, Alice in Wonderland. In the light-hearted performance, a first-year student unknowingly wanders into Babbitt Hall as she tries to find her way back to her lightside dorm with the help of some new upperclassmen friends she meets along the way. Full of humor and catchy melodies, Duelly’s song lineup was as novel as their costumes (and yes, there was a member dressed as a bunny). It was as if one were watching a musical, where the cast would erupt into song at the right moment each time during the performance to fit the storyline. Comedic as ever, the group evoked more laughter than one would expect from an a cappella concert, which made the show all the more entertaining and lovable.
Overall, the first a cappella concert of the year proved to be a grand success, with each group showcasing their immense musical talent and providing the student body with a taste for more tunes (and laughs) to come this semester.
