NC State a cappella group Chordination competed at the International Competition for Collegiate A Cappella South semifinals at the Carolina Theatre in Durham on March 8, winning two special recognition awards at the competition.
The event was a collection of the top two groups from quarterfinals around the South. Chordination was the only group from North Carolina that qualified for the event. Other performance groups were from schools in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi.
Elise Boorom, a fourth-year studying biological sciences, has been a member of Chordination for four years and is currently president. She was a soloist for the first of three movements in Chordination’s set, an arrangement of the song “Come Along” by Cosmo Sheldrake.
“We arrange all our own music, we choreograph all our own songs and sets and we’re completely student run,” Boorom said.
To be selected for quarterfinals, the group had to make a video submission. From there, they performed against ten groups from neighboring states. They tied for first with Ascension from East Tennessee University. Both advanced to semifinals.
Out of only five years competing, the group has gone to the semifinals four times.
“Semifinals is a huge deal, because if you get to that point, you’re one of the best top 10 groups in the entire south region of the United States,” Boroom said.
This year was the first time Chordination won any special recognition at semifinals.
Out of the ten groups, Chordination was given two special recognitions. They were awarded outstanding choreography for the work of K’Mya Williamson, a second-year in Africana Studies, and outstanding vocal percussion, for guest member Josh Thompson, who is not a student at NC State. Thompson also won this award in the quarterfinals.
“It’s my first year as a performance director, so it feels good,” Williamson said.
This past summer, group leadership decided they really wanted to tell a story, rather than go for the more common approach of a medley with a thematic connection. They picked shipwrecked as their theme, and after pitching and voting on song choice, they arranged their set front to back.
“We collaboratively arrange everything we do,” Boorom said. “And it’s so cool because you can ebb and flow with other people’s ideas.”
After creating a demo, the entire group rehearsed for months to compete. Their performances were judged on harmonies and choreography.
In the set, Boorom played a pirate captain. Their costumes were reminiscent of sailors and the stage was lit blue.
This year was the first time the group consulted a professional choreographer and composer for tips on improving their piece. Boorom said it was helpful to get outside input.
Their set also included renditions of “Storm Coming” by The Wailin’ Jennys and “Let Me Drown” by Orville Peck. Chordination members sang their way through the story of a rowdy pirate ship seduced by a trio of sirens, the tragic crash and the lone survivor mourning his lover.
They are not just a live performance group. Alexa Vierschilling, a fourth-year in animal science and vice president, said they also record music and publish it, and hope to get out more music soon.
“We’ll have a new EP coming out,” Viershiling said. “Five songs and then a single with a music video, both hopefully in the summer.”
The ICCA South semifinals concluded with first place going to the Pitchmen, from Belmont University. They will advance to the ICCA Finals held in New York City on April 26.
Walking away with two outstanding recognitions and semifinalist status, Chordination members seemed very happy with their win. Boorom said they are proud of their work this year so far.
“We’re really lucky to have so many really talented musicians,” Boorom said. “We’ve grown so much over the past five years of being a group. We’re really grateful to have such supportive alumni, and we’ve made a lot of friends within the a cappella community as well.”
