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Frequency Rising
When weýre talking about a cappella, weýre talking about regionals, jazz hands, five-part harmonies. But donýt be mistaken, this isnýt anything like Pitch Perfectý
Actuallyýnever mind. It kind of is.
At least according to the leaders of Paceýs NYC a cappella group Frequency, Mia Lastrella ý24 and Saloni Shah ý24. This was their first year as the groupýs leaders, and their first time attending the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Northeast Quarterfinals. ýWe were just told it was just like Pitch Perfect,ý Shah explains, ýand it really was, right down to the goofy person hosting it.ý Aca-awesome.
Frequency formed back in 2017 but membership dwindled over the yearsýespecially during the pandemic. Shah and Lastrella both joined in 2020, after the group began meeting virtually. With membership falling, they decided to take over and re-launch the group.
ýFrequency is a place to build family and make your soul happy.ý
Now, Frequency has 22 members, 18 of whom competed on March 5 in the ICCA Northeast Quarterfinals against nine other teams. It was nearly every memberýs first time competing at allýand, nerve-rackingly, they were randomly selected to perform first. That didnýt stop them. Their , including a jazzy rendition of Britney Spearsý Toxic, clinched third place for the team. Whatýs more, their enthusiasm garnered an invitation to the semifinals in Boston, despite historically being offered only to first and second place.
Despite their success, the group has always focused more on creativity than competition. ýA lot of our members are non-musical theater or performance majors,ý Lastrella explains. ýItýs just a great outlet for them. For some people itýs the only non-STEM part of their day.ý
Shah and Lastrella both hope to see Frequency continue to grow, and theyýre seeking music-loving members who want a creative outlet with a focus on community and fun. And in return, new members will find a melodious welcome. As Shah says, ýFrequency is a place to build family and make your soul happy.ý
To learn more or join Frequency, email pacefrequency@gmail.com or .
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