When a graduating high school senior prepares for college, they are often told some advice similar to what they are told when entering high school: get involved. After getting on campus, seeing fliers, and for many schools, going to campus-wide organization festivals can prove to be more overwhelming than a first-year student ever could have imagined. When I went to Bowling Green’s Campus Fest with one of my new friends at school, I was petrified; so many organizations appealed to me, but I knew I wouldn’t have time to be in every one I liked. I knew I wanted to be involved in something music related like I had done all throughout high school. I had seen BGSU’s male a cappella group perform at a festival I had gone to with my previous group, so once I walked by a few guys who seemed more than eager to talk about Ten40 A cappella, I knew I had to audition.
The audition and callback processes were some of the most stressful moments of my life. I knew I could find another group to be in if Ten40 did not work out, but deep down I already knew the profound impact these gentlemen had through their music, passion, and personality. When I was told that I made it in and what to do considering the first rehearsal, I was beyond excited. The following months were an onslaught of music, choreography, and performances for various causes around campus and even out of state. When spring semester came around to prepare for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), it was far less glamorous than the Pitch Perfect experience. There was stress, late nights, extensive music studying, and balancing this with the regular class schedule of a busy student. However, after placing first at our quarterfinals and even going on to perform at semifinals in Buffalo, NY, it all became clear that this was worth it for everyone around us. On a separate note, before going out on stage in Buffalo, we got to meet Nick Offerman, a major highlight of the year and for my lifetime.
Spending a year with these goofballs and making friends and memories with other a cappella groups, teachers, alumni, and more are all things that I would never have done if I never signed up to audition in the first place. While it has definitely been a time commitment, my time in an a cappella group has enhanced my time in academics as well as my time working in BGSU’s Music Library. While I have several friends, including one in Ten40 with me, who find comfort and brother/sisterhood in Greek life, I was never able to commit myself fully to these institutions and have found that music groups provide the same support for me that Greek organizations do for my colleagues. After recently finishing our spring tour and singing in beautiful venues for greatly appreciative audiences throughout Ohio, I am beyond excited to begin the next year with these gentlemen and to watch the group evolve. Ten40 A cappella is a strong brotherhood that has made me fall in love with Bowling Green State University and the college experience.
