Club Spotlight: Fordham Hot Notes

Have you ever seen Pitch Perfect? Hilarious, right? Have you ever wondered how it could possibly be based on an actual competition? What is this “ICCA”? Icka?! Well. It’s real.

          Just a few weeks ago, one of Fordham’s own a cappella groups, the Fordham Hot Notes, competed in one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s Quarterfinals for the ICCAs, the same competition that the movie Pitch Perfect is based on. We won second place, and are going to be singing at the Mid-Atlantic Semifinals on March 26^th at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Our musical director was even recognized with an individual award for his arrangements for our set. We couldn’t be more excited!

We performed four songs at the Quarterfinals at Stockton College on February 6th.   

The Hot Notes, Satin Dolls, and Ramblers all sang Silent Night
together at last year's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

As a freshman, I knew off the bat that I wanted to join an a cappella group as soon as possible. For me, it was a no-brainer; having always loved to sing, I knew that I wanted to continue doing this in college, especially in an a cappella group, so I auditioned for the Hot Notes. At that point, I had no idea what was in store—that I had just become a member of the quirkiest, most talented, and most supportive family, and a participant in Fordham’s vibrant a cappella culture. The Hot Notes are one of five a cappella groups associated with the university—there is also an all-male group, the Ramblers, an all-female group, the Satin Dolls, and two other co-ed groups, the B-sides (based at the Rose Hill Campus) and the F#’s (based at Lincoln Center). Both the Ramblers and the F#’s are competing this weekend in a different round of ICCAs Quarterfinals at Hofstra University.

^After getting results of the Quarterfinals!

 For more information about the Hot Notes and upcoming events and performances, check out our Facebook page or look us up on YouTube!

Cabarets...on Cabarets. Entertainment for a Good Cause at Fordham!

     Earlier this month, I had the great privilege of being a part of a variety show cabaret on campus featuring the many talented performing arts groups at Fordham. While it was an absolutely joy to see the groups come together, the purpose behind all of them uniting is truly a remarkable one. The cabaret was a concert benefitting the Make-a-Wish Foundation put together by Michelle Corr, (FCRH '17 and Mimes and Mummers Sophomore Representative) which seeks to raise money for children with cancer and to make their wishes come true, whether it be a trip to Disneyland, or even making them become a superhero for the day. Groups ranging from a cappella clubs, theatre troupes, improv and sketch comedy clubs, and spoken word performances all filled the auditorium with a camaraderie enjoyed by the audience, while knowing that they were performing for a great cause. I got to perform an acoustic Beyonce mashup with my friends Sarah Bernstein (FCRH '17) and Mara Santili (FCRH '16) and the low-key atmosphere of the show made it seem as if there was no pressure in making mistakes and that having fun was the most important part in the end. It was truly a special night getting to see all of the performing arts clubs come together for this great cause, something that does not happen every day on campus, and to be a part of it for a small moment in the show was a heartwarming experience. 

      It was also pretty funny that the next day was the day I had tickets to see Cabaret the Broadway musical with Sienna Miller and Alan Cumming. I had always wanted to see this show for the longest time and it was a joy to see Alan Cumming's captivating and charming performance in person as well as Sienna Miller in a role that I would have never pictured her in before. The theatre was intimate and decorated with intricate lights which helped enhance the risqué and sultry nature of the show. Being a student at a university in New York City has so many perks like being able to see Broadway shows with big names for a reasonable price and is something I always enjoy doing in my free time.
     And lastly, the third of the "Cabarets" that I have attended this past month was a Cabaret show at a supper club known as 54 Below. This venue is located in midtown and is known for its Broadway celebrity guests like Patti Lupone and even hosts casts of Broadway shows to sing specialized shows like the music of Celine Dion and Sam Smith. The concert that I was able to attend was "The Cast of If/Then sings the songs from Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey." The composer and lyrics duo composed If/Then and it was a special sight seeing the performers sing selections that they did not regularly sing on stage at If/Then. I had finished all my midterms and it was so relaxing being able to sit, eat dinner, and enjoy these talented Broadwayperformers sing songs from show that are still in the works even before they head to the Great White Way.

A Playbill

The Roundabout Theatre where Cabaret is playing on 54th street. Behind, you can see the sign for 54 Below.

Whether it's on campus or off, there are so many opportunities to enjoy a variety of musical entertainment as a Fordham student that will definitely appeal to anyone out for a good time!

Club Spotlight: The Fordham Hot Notes

           What is the simplest, but most important piece of advice I can give to an incoming college freshman? Three words that freshman will hopefully hear dozens of times during their first few weeks at school? Join a club! The easiest way to make connections within your campus community and to make lasting friendships is to get involved with something you care about, and Fordham has TONS of opportunities to do this!

            For me, the choice was very easy; having always loved to sing, I knew that I wanted to continue doing this in college, especially in an a cappella group, so I auditioned for the Fordham Hot Notes, Fordham’s coed jazz a cappella group. The Hot Notes are one of five a cappella groups associated with Fordham University. There is also an all-male group, the Ramblers, an all-female group, the Satin Dolls, and two other co-ed groups, the B-sides (based at the Rose Hill Campus) and the F#’s (based at Lincoln Center).

            

This is a group shot of all of us from our Winter Concert last semester!
(*we aren't the "Hot" Notes for nothing, of course!)

While the Hot Notes are the newest to the a cappella scene, only official recognized as a club last year, we have established ourselves as the fiercest and smoothest group on campus (…okay, maybe I’m a little biased). As a jazz ensemble, we perform mostly jazz arrangements, but also work in contemporary repertoire in addition to classic jazz standards.  Last semester, we even did a jazz salute to Queen Bey with our version of “Drunk in Love”! We’ve also had some awesome opportunities to perform in different places over the past few semesters, including the International Championship of College A Cappella (otherwise known as the ICCAs—think Pitch Perfect!), and the New York City Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center.

This is from the reception after the New York City Jazz Festival Concert!

Here is another group shot of us, also from Jazz at Lincoln Center, with our clinician, Duane Davis!

                       

Although I didn’t join the Hot Notes until the second semester of my freshman year, I immediately realized that not only was I going to be able to keep singing in college, but that I had just gained a membership to the quirkiest, most talented, and most loving family; even as a timid freshman, the group made me feel like one of their own from the very beginning! Now, as a junior and a member of the group’s Executive Board, I know I am privileged to work with such a group of musicians, and proud to call them some of my closest friends!

For more information about the Hot Notes, and upcoming events and performances, check out our Facebook page or look us up on YouTube! 

Finding Your Groove at Fordham

Fordham is a school where everyone can find something for them. By now, you probably know we are located in NYC, so there is a plethora of musical options for every taste in the city. However, there is also a wealth of choices to indulge in your musical side on campus.

Cartel plays at last year's Spring Weekend
concert. Grouplove played the same day.

Every year, there are musical events galore that feature a wide variety of genres and performers. Last Friday night was the “Welcome Back” Club Lib rave/dance on the lawn in front of the library, and Spring Weekend’s musical acts, which often include a student DJ battle and a featured performer (last year, Cartel and Cold War Kids; once upon a time, U2), herald May’s final exams. There are a variety of choirs who sing a wide range of liturgical and classical music, a jazz ensemble, and a bunch of a cappella groups. (Here are the B-Sides, one co-ed a cappella group, covering Bastille's "Pompeii" for your enjoyment.)

Today, Titus Andronicus (a punk/indie band named after one of Shakespeare’s more gruesome plays) held a free concert behind Rodrigue’sCoffeehouse, a small student-run coffee house and NY Historical Landmark. Rod’s often sponsors student open mic nights concerts and other entertainment events around campus.

Lead singer Patrick Stickles.

Students listen to the opening acts (two student bands) while waiting for Titus Andronicus. 

Not to get too punny, but you really can find your groove here at Fordham. 

Fordham A Cappella: The Hot Notes

Today I present an easy, almost fool-proof way to make new friends at college: join a club.

There are a few ways to approach your first semester at college. You can dabble in one or two clubs while focusing on your schoolwork. Others might avoid the club scene altogether until they've established good grades. I, for one, cannonballed straight into Fordham student life. During my first semester I performed in back-to-back productions with Rose Hill's main-stage theater group, The Mimes and Mummers, in addition to joining an a cappella group. 

Performance groups are highly time-consuming, and I may have slightly burnt out, but I don't regret my crazy schedule from that fall. Why? Because it led me to my first family at Fordham: The Hot Notes.

The Hot Notes, Spring 2013. That's me in the first row, second from the left.
We're pretty good-looking. Hence Hot Notes. Ha ha. Ha.

I've always identified more as an actor than a singer. I expected to devote most of my extracurricular life at Fordham to theater, just like I did in high school. Don't misunderstand me; I loved my experience with the Mimes, and I still regularly perform in productions with Fordham's various theater groups. But I certainly didn't expect to fall in love with a cappella in the way that I did.

A quick overview of Fordham a cappella: We have a five a cappella groups between the two campuses, four of which are at Rose Hill. The Ramblers (who I will never not call our resident boy band) are all men, the Satin Dolls are Fordham's all-female group, and the B-sides, like the Hot Notes, are co-ed. A third co-ed a cappella group, the F#s, are based at Lincoln Center.

The Hot Notes are the newest group at Rose Hill, founded in 2012. We're babies, really. But in the short time since we began, we've become known for our unmistakable blend, our complex arrangements, and our jazzy sound. 

Although we're a jazz-based group, we also play around with contemporary songs, whether that means singing them as is or giving them a retro spin. For example, we performed "Thrift Shop" this past spring, true to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's sound, but next month we'll be singing a vintage version of "Don't You Worry Child."

We push ourselves even farther each semester. This fall, we auditioned for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (the competition made famous by the movie Pitch Perfect) for the first time. A week ago today, we discovered we'd been accepted. On top of that, we're scheduled to attend and perform at the New York City Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center in April. 

What struck me about the Hot Notes was the balance between fun and commitment. I met the silliest, funniest kids in Hot Notes, but everyone was also dedicated to becoming a better a cappella group and, to my pleasant surprise, better individual musicians. They had fun, but they knew how to get work done. When Executive Board elections came around, I knew I wanted to help this group develop and sharpen its vision. The Hot Notes are ever growing as a club. I'm constantly proud of everything we do. It's exhilarating to be part of a group that has come so far, and yet continues to leap forward. 

Most importantly, though, the Hot Notes made me feel comfortable--a rare feeling during my first semester at college As an introvert, I'm thankful whenever I meet someone who instantly makes me feel welcome. It take me longer than most to feel comfortable enough to be myself around others. It's fitting that Thanksgiving is next week because the Hot Notes are one of the things I'm most thankful for at Fordham. They gave me, a shy and unsure freshman, somewhere to belong. 

For more information about us, check out our Facebook or official website. Performances from our most recent concert, #HotNotes, are also available on our Youtube channel. Here are just two of my favorite numbers. (Make sure to watch in HD!)

 We wanted to collaborate with our friends at the Fordham Jazz Collective,  and so 
this number was born.  The Jazz Collective are the fellows accompanying us in 
this video. I know, I know, it's not a cappella. But it was one of the most fun 
(and in some ways, funny--see 3:58) songs to perform at our show!