For my entire college career (so far) I have been involved in a cappella music. You know, like "Pitch Perfect?" The movie that manages to accurately stereotype college-age singers in the instrument-less world of a cappella performing?

How did I end up here? I sang in my high school choir for a few years and loved it. I do not come from a particularly musical family or upbringing, but dipping my feet into the waters of music in high school opened my eyes to this art I have been missing. Though I am no Mozart, I quickly discovered I had an ear for it and could learn music relatively quickly. I knew that in college I wanted to continue to grow as a singer and performer, so I joined the men's choir at Oregon State, The Meistersingers. That in itself has been a great experience. I also auditioned for the all-male a cappella group called Outspoken and joined about halfway through my first year in school. Though it is far from over, this a cappella career has changed my life.

My closest friends are the ones I sing with. They are the people I've met within the group, through choir, or in the other a cappella groups on campus. We end up spending so many hours together every week rehearsing and performing, and they are such great people; it's hard not to love them.

In my first year, I was one of the youngest members and was surrounded by a group of more seasoned students and singers. It was a challenge for me to keep up with them, but it helped me value the hard work that went into it all. In my second year, I felt ready to have a great new ride. We competed in the ICCA (International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella). Though it did not go as well as we had hoped, it was a blast and it helped us gel and grow as a group.

The turning point, though, was this year. Through a turn of unexpected events, I ended up taking on the role as music director. Since we are a student-run group, this meant that I was more or less the "instructor" of our "class." I could pick the music and go on to teach it and lead the group in the way that I thought was best artistically. My main goal was to change everyone's perception of us. We are not just a bunch of goofy guys. We are a group of men who love music, love each other, and love to make people happy and impressed.

We decided to compete again this year. For the first time in Outspoken history, we were the runner-up group at the semifinal round. Never before has Oregon State placed so high in this competition. I am immensely proud of the work that went in from all of us, and I know it made a difference. We have had an incredible year so far.

Sure, a cappella is goofy and fun and much like "Pitch Perfect." Yet we are all full time students who lead busy lives in and outside of the classroom. My new goal is to continue to spread the word about Outspoken and a cappella, until everyone on campus knows who we are. Speaking of which, we are having two concerts on April 30 on the Oregon State campus! Comment and I'll throw some details your way if you are interested. Come see what a cappella is all about, and see a group of the finest men and women I know do what they love.