Did you enjoy watching Pitch Perfect? Then you might want to follow Divisi, University of Oregon’s thriving, all-female a cappella group. The group that just won the Northwest Semifinals of the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella and is headed to the finals in New York City on April 30.
Divisi is the first UO a cappella group to accomplish this since 2010. It is also the first time that an all-female a cappella group will attend the finals since 2011.
“Divisi has a history of strong women breaking boundaries in a cappella,” said senior and assistant music director Austin Skelton. “We, as the current Divisi, feel honored to be upholding that tradition by competing in the ICCA finals.”
“Only the top 10 a cappella groups in the entire world attend finals, and we are one of them,” singer and soloist Samantha Westmoreland said. “We have to pinch ourselves sometimes to remind us that this is real life.”
The final competition will be held in the Beacon Theatre, which is the same facility used for the Tony Awards, as well as many Broadway productions.
Divisi selects its songs through a democratic process at “listening parties” where all members bring songs that they think would work well for the group. Skelton explained that Divisi usually learns a new song every one or two weeks, but the group is currently focusing on its competition set for the finals.
UO students can check out Divisi, along with a cappella groups On the Rocks and Mind the Gap, on Fridays at 3:45 p.m. in the EMU. Divisi can also be hired for events, and is releasing an album that is expected to be released next fall.
If you are interested in auditioning to be a part of Divisi, spring auditions will be held on Saturday, June 4, at the School of Music.
You can follow UO Divisi’s calendar to stay up to date with the group.
“We have been preparing for this since August and we can’t wait to leave our hearts on the stage,” said Westmoreland. “We are so overwhelmed with and grateful for the love and support that we have been receiving from our families, friends and the UO community throughout this competition process.”
For more on the final competition, visit here.