New York, meet Eugene, Ore.
University a capella group On the Rocks will head to New York City’s Broadway Beacon Theater this weekend to compete in the April 26 finals round of the International Championships of Collegiate A capella (ICCA). The 10-member award-winning ensemble received the honor after placing first at the regional semifinals in February.
“This year has been unbelievable,” said Tyler Boeh, a vocal percussionist.
Peter Hollens, On the Rocks’ co-founder and president, agreed.
“The competition at semifinals was so stiff,” Hollens said. “When they called out we won, I think all our jaws hit the floor.”
On the Rocks will vie for tops in the competition with five other regional winners from across the nation and Canada. Each group will be given a strict 15-minute time frame to impress the judges. First prize offers $1,000 and second prize is $500.
“It’s the end-all competition for any college group,” Hollens said, adding that “any of the six groups that are going could win.”
On the Rocks was launched in 1999, marking the first time in 45 years that an a capella group had called the University home. Since then, two additional a capella groups have formed on campus.
On the Rocks released a self-titled CD, which once topped the best-seller chart at local music store Face the Music. The ensemble has also won a handful of accolades, some from this year’s ICCA competition. Hollens was the runner-up for Best Soloist and Boeh won Best Percussion. The group’s new CD, “Backgammon Sessions,” is due for release May 17.
This year marks the second On the Rocks appearance at the ICCA finals. The group finished in third place last year, barely missing prize money, but members said they had an incredible time nonetheless. The group competed in New York’s prestigious Lincoln Center and appeared on a local morning TV show, where they gave an interview and performed a song. Boeh said it was incredible to be recognized while walking down the street by well-wishers who had seen the broadcast.
New York residents were not the only ones to congratulate members of On the Rocks. University President Dave Frohnmayer has given the group an open invitation to use his home as a practice space.
“For a while, every Tuesday we were practicing at his house,” Boeh said, adding with a grin that “every time, his wife gave us milk and brownies.”
The group plays a capella reworkings of well-known modern cuts, typically favorites from artists such as Guster and Dave Matthews Band as well as a few oldies and traditional tunes for good measure.
“(Audiences) eat that stuff up,” Boeh said of their choreographed renditions of vintage classics.
On the Rocks members cite everything from soul to rock to hip-hop as musical influences — a testament to the malleable nature of the genre.
“If you have a good voice and a good command over your instrument, (a capella) is the ultimate versatility,” Boeh said.
Hollens said a capella’s vocal focus makes the music stand out.
“There’s something special about just voices,” Hollens said. “A capella can definitely be the truest art form there is. The human voice is the most beautiful gem we’ve been given.”
On the Rocks performs every Friday at 4 p.m. at the EMU Amphitheater, unless the group is away at competitions. The group will host a spring concert at Beall Hall on May 17 at 8 p.m.
In addition to Hollens and Boeh, On the Rocks members include students Jeremy Davidson, Peter Vomocil, Cooper Bombadil, Cody Curry, Brian Jacobson, Luke Macsween, Nathan Reiff and Bradford Mckeown.
Since graduation will erode the current membership, On the Rocks will be hosting auditions in mid-May. Visit the group’s Web site at www.uoontherocks.com for audition updates.