A cappella spotlight: Noteworthy
In preparation for A Cappella Fest, The Muhlenberg Weekly is featuring a different A Cappella group each week. This week, the spotlight falls on Muhlenberg’s Broadway-based group, Noteworthy. Noteworthy is Muhlenberg’s youngest group, and has been singing on
campus since 2006. Their repertoire includes classic Broadway tunes, Disney songs, and contemporary musical theater. Some of their songs include “Tango Maureen” from Rent (soloists Michael Masse ‘18 and Jennie Colabatistto ‘17), “Louder Than Words” from tick, tick...BOOM! (soloist Christian Gutierrez ‘19), and a Mamma Mia! medley (soloists Madeleine Huggins ‘20 and Elissa Wells ‘17).
Laura Santo ‘20, as one of the four freshmen in Noteworthy, spoke about how being a part of this group has shaped her freshman year: “Noteworthy provided an environment in which I immediately felt comfortable and where I got to meet wonderful, goofy people [who are] as passionate about music as I am. Consistently I have found that being in Noteworthy is the highlight of my weekly schedule, not to mention a major highlight of my freshman year.”
With such a wide variety of repertoire, it can be hard to pick a favorite song. Maddie Basirico ‘19 decided that “21 Guns” from American Idiot (soloists Hannah Turner ‘19, Elissa Wells ‘17, James Lukens ‘18, Zach Aldave ‘20, Emeline DiCroce ‘19, and Jennie Colabatistto ‘17) was her top choice because of the harmonies and the fact that it’s a song that Noteworthy sings as a group. Being involved with Noteworthy myself, I have to agree. There’s something about standing and singing in a room of your favorite people that is indescribable. To know that I not only have a group of friends that will always be there for me and support me, but also that we are able to make great music together, is such a special feeling.
Christian Gutierrez ‘19 articulated similar sentiments: “I love being able to come to a place where I can forget about the stresses of everyday life, and just express myself through musical theatre.”
Michael Masse ‘18 spoke about how performing musical theatre is different from performing mainstream music.
“Musical theater allows for some much more direct emotion,” Masse said. Because many of Noteworthy’s members consider themselves “theatre kids,” they put a lot of acting and emotion into their performances.
Since most of us a cappella group members are involved for all four years of college, there’s a lot of connections and bonds that form among each other and to
the group itself. Elissa Wells, who will be graduating this spring, when asked what she will miss most about Noteworthy, responded, “The friendships I’ve gained and managed to maintain over the years have given me this incredible family.”
As with any group, different leadership positions create different perspectives and relationships to Noteworthy. Emeline DiCroce ‘19, one of Noteworthy’s music directors, spoke on the biggest challenge she faces as a leader in the group.
“I think one of the hardest things is the new perspective of your group’s sound that you get,” said DiCroce. “There’s an added weight when you’re responsible for shaping the sound that inspires you to care more about your group performing their best.”
When learning new arrangements, it’s easy to get sidetracked and overwhelmed by the different parts and rhythms, but we always put our best foot forward and in the end are able to put out a product that we are proud of, which is incredibly rewarding.
In times like these, art is incredibly valuable, and it’s comforting to know that I have a group of people who are always ready to make art with me.
Haley Szenczi ‘19 is Noteworthy’s greenest member, who commented on what it’s like joining a tight-knit group halfway through the year.
“I’ve really enjoyed being the newest member of Noteworthy. Being the only new member this semester was a bit intimidating at first, but I was welcomed with open arms,” Szenczi said. “I’ve always loved musical theatre, so to be able to do what I love with such a fun, amazing group of people has been really special.”
Even though Noteworthy faces some challenges, we are still a very tight-knit group of people. Personally, one of my favorite things about Noteworthy is our sense of humor. Few people can make me laugh the way they can, and it’s so nice to get to spend any amount of time creating art and goofing off with people as incredible as my group members. Make sure to check out Noteworthy and the other groups at A Cappella Fest on April 1st!
Photo courtesy of Demetra Demetriades