The Social Planning and Events Committee gave popular FOX show Glee a run for its money Wednesday by hosting an a cappella competition.
Four of Penn’s a cappella groups — Penny Loafers, Pennchants, Dischord and the Shabbatones — belted their best at SPEC’s WinterFest: Get Your Glee On for tickets and wristbands to the 2011 Spring Fling concert and the title of Penn’s finest a cappella ensemble.
The show mimicked the sectionals competition in which the characters of Glee compete.
College junior Mariama Kabia and Wharton sophomore Scott Dzialo — emcees for the event and directors of SPEC Special Events — kept the crowd, which filled about a quarter of Irvine Auditorium, engaged and clapping along with the performers.
The panel of judges consisted of Harnwell College House Dean and musicologist Suhnne Ahn, Class of 2011 President and College senior Adam Behrens and College senior Rico ‘DJ Rico’ Moorer.
In the first round of the competition, each group sang a set of two numbers. The groups crooned mash-ups, ballads and current hits such as the Shabbatones’ rendition of Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet.”
The three judges offered constructive criticism to each a cappella group, noting intonation problems while praising rhythm and energy. They eliminated the Shabbatones and the Penny Loafers first, leaving two groups standing in the final round.
After a brief intermission and some Insomnia cookies, the competition resumed. The Pennchants, dressed in costumes ranging from cowboy to prom queen, sang a mash up of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls.” Dischord sang anarrangement of Shakira’s “Waka Waka.”
While the judges offered their comments, it was ultimately the audience who decided the winner. In American Idol style, audience members texted in their votes for their favorite.
With 56 percent of the vote, Dischord took the title of WinterFest champion. The group’s musical director and Engineering senior Michael Saunders said he could not have been more pleased with their performance. “I’m really happy and it was great to sing in Irvine,” he said. “It was a ball.”
Behrens said he was particularly impressed with the event compared to previous years. “Having been here for four years and seeing what WinterFest was in the past, SPEC did a great job,” he said.
