Hawkward: Strengthening vocals and friendships

By: Jenna Webb/ Herald Contributer

Whether it’s from watching the movie Pitch Perfect, listening to the well-known music group Pentatonix, or even watching the short-lived NBC reality show The Sing Off, many of us are familiar with the art of a capella. On Roger Williams University’s campus, there are two a capella groups: Drastic Measures, a club open to anyone that wants to join, and Hawkward, a smaller group that is only open through a yearly by-audition basis.

As of the fall 2016 semester, Hawkward consists of nineteen members that range from freshmen to seniors, and they come from all walks of life. One thing is for sure though; they all love the art of a capella.

A capella music is specifically the art of singing solo or as a group, without the accompaniment of musical instruments. Every note, sound, and beat comes from the group’s voices alone, and it requires a lot of teamwork to make sure the group’s voices are working well together.

“If you’re singing in a group of people and you barely know each other, the music is going to sound completely different than if you know each other super well,” said senior Amanda Espinoza, Hawkward’s Business Director.

All of the members have experience in the music world, whether it be from chorus classes, musical theater, previous a capella groups, or even just singing in the shower. However, singing as a group, compared to solo performances, is completely different, and can really round out a singer’s knowledge of how their voice works.

There are three ways Hawkward decides on which songs they will perform. Pre-arranged songs can be purchased online, songs can be commissioned by arrangers who will work with group members on what they’re looking for, or the group will work together to arrange a song for themselves.

Senior Galen Shrand and junior Charles Ahl work out a problem in the group’s newer song project.