'THE ADVANTAGE' OF WESTERN

By Ben Snowden
Western Courier

Friday, January 26, 2007

Light saber battles, comedic films and crowd participation may not sound like elements found at a normal choral concert, but then again, The Advantage is not an average a cappella group.

This Western Illinois University vocal octet, which features members of the Kappa Psi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, performs material ranging from classic pieces to pop hits to old time rock 'n' roll, and their out-of-the-ordinary "uniforms" include colorful T-shirts worn with blue jeans and a sports coat.

According to tenor Eric Hollaway, senior music education major, The Advantage's outlandish performances always keep the crowds guessing.

"A few songs that we performed last semester were 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis, 'For the Longest Time' by Billy Joel, 'In the Still of the Night' by Boyz II Men and 'My Immortal' by Evanescence," Hollaway said. "Each of our concerts begins with a funny movie that lasts around 12 minutes, (which keeps the) audience on the edges of their seats."

Additionally, crowd members can expect an interactive experience complete with participation in game shows similar to "Deal or No Deal" and "American Idol." The audience can also choose to just sit back and enjoy The Advantage's sidesplitting exploits.

"The group performs comedic skits," Hollaway said. "One was a light saber fight onstage and another was serenading the Assistant Director of Bands Doug Phillips with 'Kiss the Girl' from 'The Little Mermaid.'"

Despite their silly antics, The Advantage places serious emphasis on the singers they let into their ranks.

On Wednesday the group held auditions, open to members of Phi Mu Alpha, to fill the three openings in their line-up.

"Each person wishing to audition (had to) prepare a solo piece, sing another prepared piece with the rest of the group and (go through) a Q-and-A session," Hollaway said. "Each member of The Advantage must possess keen musical skills and have the character and personality to show their musical talent."

Instead of relying on a faculty member to make the decisions, The Advantage decides who makes the final line-up.

"The group had a closed-door meeting to decide who we wanted as a member of our group," Hollaway said.

Now, The Advantage's roster consists of four tenors, Hollaway, John Varga, senior international relations/comparative politics major, Frank Gutierrez, sophomore broadcasting major and Zach Neels, freshman broadcasting major. The baritones are Ben Tague, senior music education major, and Ben Schweizer, sophomore music major. Basses Greg Martin, freshman music business major and Dan Tripp, senior music education major, round out the group.

For a fundraising effort, the Advantage will soon put on "Singing Valentines," in which they go to houses and dorms dressed in tuxedos and sing for others' sweethearts.

The group will perform their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 30 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall.

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