A new music group has exploded onto the scene at Monmouth College. The Scotsmen, who were organized by senior Matt Henning, have been performing around campus, including once at Dunlap Terrace and once in Scotland Yard.

Led by a core group of seniors, Henning, Don Trinite and Brian “Big Red” Jordan, the Scotsmen are quickly gaining acclaim around campus.

On Friday, Oct. 26, students, professors, college staff and alumni packed into Scotland Yard to catch a glimpse of MC’s new a cappella group.

A fairly new act, The Scotsmen are beginning to develop not only their fan base but also their playlist. The Scotsmen currently perform four songs, including “Silhouettes,” “Duke of Earl,” “In the Still of the Night” and their crowd pleaser, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Senior Jimmy Vallerta, who was present at the Oct. 26 performance, said, “I like their arrangement and I like how they blended together. They do a good job of making the audience feel a part of the performance.”

The group is comprised of 11 members. Basses are Henning, Jordan and senior Joe Pilger. In the baritone section are Trinite and senior Nathan Faith. The tenor two section is comprised of senior Erik Davis, junior Lucas Pauley and freshman Dane Feenstra. The tenor one section includes freshman Andrew Watson, junior Brian Rowe and senior Jess Miller.

“Since I was in high school I have wanted to do something like this. Big Red and I have talked about this since our freshman year, we just finally found time to put it together,” commented Henning.

“Guys like Faith, Jordan and Davis have wanted to be part of a group like this. We have added most the other guys from hearing them sing around campus. Pauley was singing at an open mic and we heard him and just knew he could bring a lot to the group,” Henning went on to say.

According to Henning, “We started the group to drop panties pretty much. But seriously, I started the group because I wanted to start a guys group that could control what we sing and have a lot of good times.”

As the Scotsmen continue to progress, they are hoping to add to the songs they perform; they are currently working on three new songs to add to their repertoire.

“We are open to performing anywhere, as long as people are showing up and enjoying what we are doing, then we do not care where we perform,” said Henning.

A cappella fan Abigail McLaughlin is “really excited about their potential Christmas show.” The Scotsmen are taking requests for their future shows and what songs they perform.

The Scotsmen’s next performance will be during Dr. Perry White’s voice studio recital. It will take place on Thursday, Nov. 15.

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