Kent State’s only acapella group, Vocal Intensity, performed its fall semester concert Friday night in the Kiva.
The 18-person, all-gender group sang tunes under the theme “Bring the Beat In,” taken from the first line of “Love on Top” by Beyoncé. As next year will be Vocal Intensity’s 10th year anniversary, Dylan Eshbaugh, president of the group and junior child psychology major, said they wanted to have a throwback concept.
“We’re taking it to the next level, we’re raising the bar again,” Eshbaugh said. “In my opinion, I think this is the best concert that we’ve had.”
Complete with three sopranos, four mezzos, three altos, three tenors, three baritones, one bass and one vocal percussionist, each member was an integral part of the performance. Eshbaugh said they have been working on the music since the beginning of the year, but some members have only been in the group for about a month.
The set list included songs by pop queens like Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé and Chappell Roan, all arranged by the group’s music directors, Melaina Uhrig and Andrew Rothhaar.
Kylee Worner, a junior nursing major, said the fact the group is completely student-led makes them unique. She said she met some of her best friends in the group, and she loves making music with them.
“When it all finally comes together, you get the chills of everybody singing,” Worner said.
She called this concert different than what they’ve done before, owing it to new people on their board who have brought in fresh ideas.
Cladded in all pink, Vocal Intensity boasted a “Y2K” and R&B theme throughout the concert. Chloe Kurian, a junior healthcare administration major who came to watch because she was in the group last year, said she loved it.
“It came together great,” Kurian said. “The choreos match the lyrics of the songs very well, and I feel like everything connects.”
Avery Smart, a freshman professional development major, came to support a friend in the group. He said this was his first time at a Vocal Intensity concert.
“My sister does dance, so I’ve been to that vibe before, but this is really different,” Smart said. “It’s awesome.”
Eshbaugh said it feels good to be able to show the group’s hard work to an audience. The bond the members have goes deep.
“I could call everyone in this group an extended family member,” he said. “I know that I will always be here for everyone in the group, they’ll always be there for me, and that goes for people who aren’t in the group anymore, who have graduated. This group is a home base for a lot of people, and I really like that. I’m glad I get to be part of a tradition of continuing that.”
Vocal Intensity will be performing in the quarterfinals of the 2025 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in March. Eshbaugh said he is excited to be able to share their music again.
“You’re not going to find another group like ours anywhere in Kent,” he said. “You can go to other universities, but it’s not us. We’re authentic. You’re never going to find the same 18 people anywhere else … We’re just here to kill it.”
Lauren Cohen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
