Sound of 5 sings sweet Valentine’s music 

By: Amanda Bloomer
Contributing Writer

“When the night has come/ and the land is dark/ and the moon is the only light we see.” If you don’t recognize the opening lines of this infamous Ben E. King tune, then you should let Monmouth College’s newly resurrected acappella group, Sound of Five (So5), educate you.

The song is “Stand by Me” and it is only one of the songs in the group’s jazz/pop repertoire. Sound of 5 is not new to Monmouth College. The have a history as a very active and popular group on campus.

After a six-year hiatus, Sound of 5 had their official come-back concert the weekend of Homecoming 2006. The “five” in the name refers to the five vocal parts: soprano, alto, tenor, base, and vocal percussion.

Sound of 5 is a student-led group currently comprised of eight Chorale members who meet twice a week for practice.

Sound of Five is advised by Sarah Graham, director of choral activities and vocal studies.

Their roster consists of freshmen Tim Seyller and Brendan Murphy, sophomores Lynsay Ryan, Lindsay Jackson, Cassie Frantz and Patrick Murphy and seniors Dee Jackson and Sarah Braun.

The group will start auditioning for new members in May. They have traditionally recruited from within the Chorale, but have decided to open auditions to any members of the student body with the necessary interest and dedication.

This Valentine’s Day, the Sound of 5 (short one member, Sarah Braun) traveled to Macomb to perform a 7 p.m. show at the local Methodist church for an audience of parishioners.

The program that evening consisted of seven songs: “In the Still of the Night” (Dee and Patrick, solos), “Stand By Me” (Seyller, solo), “A Girl Like You” (Patrick, solo), “Both Sides Now” (Lindsay, solo), “Heaven is a Place on Earth” (Ryan, solo), “Shout to the Lord” (Lindsay, solo) and “You Found Me” (Frantz, solo).

So5 was followed by the church’s own barbershop-style group and, at the end of the evening, received $200 for their performance.

This money will be added to the Sound of 5 budget, which the group hopes will lead to more touring opportunities

These touring opportunities includes an upcoming trip to Florida to perform at Monmouth College alumni banquets.

Up until now, they have been busy with a number of local engagements, save a trip to Michigan in October. More chances like this would allow them to extend their reach and reputation as a talented vocal ensemble.

Sound of 5 would also like to remind everyone about the upcoming Accafest. On March 24, Sound of 5 will be joined by two other acappella groups for a concert in Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.

Group president Ryan says that “this is a big step for So5,” and she is hoping the campus will take notice.

Tickets will be available soon.