A cappella singers deliver beautiful melodies: Drastic Measures hosts annual spring invitational

Connor Midgley, Herald Contributor

Melodies could be heard drifting out of the Field House on Sunday as a cappella groups sang the night away.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. on March 31, Drastic Measures hosted its Spring Invitational, entitled “The Party’s Never Over.” This showcase is hosted annually during the spring semester, and features the talents of both Drastic Measures and a cappella groups from other colleges. 

While the other groups are mostly different every year, many of the same groups frequently come back to perform because of their close relationship with Drastic Measures, and RWU as a whole. This other groups featured in this semester’s show were College of the Holy Cross’ Sons of Pitches, RWU’s Hawkward and A Completely Different Note from the University of Connecticut.

Drastic Measures opened the show with their rendition of “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron, with soloists Erin Durning and Gillian Snyder, followed up with “Sail” by AWOLNATION, with soloist Sydney Dawson.  

Sons of Pitches was the next group to perform. Their set began with a cover of “Colder Weather” by the Zac Brown Band, featuring soloists Mike Lyons and Nate Donahue. Next up was “Believer” by Imagine Dragons, with soloist Kevin Elaba. 

Drastic Measures returned to close out the first half with “When the Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish, with soloist Amanda Leopozzi. Between this and the next performance was a 20-minute intermission, during which cookies, popcorn and drinks were sold.

Opening the second half of the show was Hawkward with “Heaven” by Beyoncé, featuring soloist Karen Alzate. Their next selection was “American Boy” by Estelle, with soloist Grace DePalma.  

A Completely Different Note was the second group to perform, first with “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, featuring soloists Troy Frey and Braiden Sunshine, and then “Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows, with soloist Garrett D’Amato.  

Finally, Drastic Measures returned again with “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna, featuring soloist Amanda Howard. The group closed out the show with the senior song “Imagine” by John Lennon. Drastic Measures’ six seniors, Amanda Howard, Amanda Leopizzi, Daryn Javer, Erin Durning, Jasmin Guerrero and Susan Eastland were all soloists in this piece.

Given the excited reactions that performers drew from the audience before, after, and occasionally during the songs, especially from those who apparently knew some of the performers, it can be said that this year’s A Cappella Showcase was a success.