Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 21:15     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Anonymous wrote:Tons of a capella groups at Penn in the 90s as well. John Stephens (aka John Legend) was a classmate in one of them before he made it big after college. All different musical styles, parody groups. They were a big part of the campus traditions and entertainment.


Penn Masala...


Mostly CS and pre-med kids singing Bollywood + American Pop.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 21:05     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
At my school, some dudes joined the A cappella octet in order to pull wool. Some gals seemed to be into their goofy antics, judging by the oohs and aahs.

Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 21:03     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
That's a lot of time but it doesn't seem that much more than a job which lots of kids do. In college my husband was in an improv group that rehearsed 20 hours a week and I worked a job that was 20 hours a week. We both had plenty of time to get our school work done.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:53     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Anonymous wrote:Tons of a capella groups at Penn in the 90s as well. John Stephens (aka John Legend) was a classmate in one of them before he made it big after college. All different musical styles, parody groups. They were a big part of the campus traditions and entertainment.


I think I went to school with you! Acapella has always been a big prep school and ivy thing. I did it in high school, college, and grad school. Still going as a law firm partner lol
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:34     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
I think it is a status signal. It seems to be a thing at schools with money like SLACs. I can't recall if we had ones at my Midwestern state school in the 90s. Though we did have an excellent choir.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:32     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Because it's fun and builds community. Making music together is good for the soul.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:28     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
It's basically a whole subculture.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:20     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Tons of a capella groups at Penn in the 90s as well. John Stephens (aka John Legend) was a classmate in one of them before he made it big after college. All different musical styles, parody groups. They were a big part of the campus traditions and entertainment.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:05     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Anonymous wrote:There was a popular movie a few years ago that inspired a bunch of these clubs.


a cappella was huge in the 90s. My SLAC had at least a dozen groups and it was a huge part of our social scene and culture.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:05     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Proficiency in music is a skill that can be enjoyed for life.

Honestly, the time in the AI lab matters fkk all.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:02     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
They are insanely popular and highly visible at almost every school we visited. Much to my DH’s dismay. Kids seem to really love doing it from what we’ve seen.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:02     Subject: Re:Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Yikes...my kid is intending on joining one when she starts in Sept. Hope it isn't really that intense. She is in one in her HS, and there were a lot of rehearsals, but it was manageable.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 20:01     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
Some schools have a long history of a capella groups, but the movie Pitch Perfect inspired a wider interest.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 19:59     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
There was a popular movie a few years ago that inspired a bunch of these clubs.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2026 19:57     Subject: Why is a cappella such a thing on campus?
My CS kid spends as much time rehearsing/performing/recording/traveling with her a cappella group as she does working in her AI lab (15 hours per week). Apparently this is the norm? And it’s super selective to even get into a group?