- The OrphanSporks
-
The OrphanSporks Also known as Sporks Origin New Brunswick, New Jersey Genres A capella Years active 1999-present Website http://www.orphansporks.com The OrphanSporks are the second of six a cappella groups at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Founded in 1999 by Tom Mullaney, the group features approximately fifteen male and female Rutgers students who arrange and sing pop, rock, and soul melodies to audiences around campus and the greater Tri-State Area.[1] The "Sporks" are known for their energetic performance style, powerful vocals, signature multi-colored T-shirts, and frequent participation in charity events.[2]
The OrphanSporks competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella for the first time in 2010, taking first place in the Northeast Quarterfinals, and second place in the Northeast Semifinals.[3][4]
In 2007/2008 The OrphanSporks recorded a studio album, A Little Bite of Everything. The album features covers of tracks from famous pop, rock, and hip-hop artists. According to the 2009 review of the album by The Recorded A Cappella Review Board, "This group offers itself as a comedy group that sings well, or at the very least a singing group that recognizes the inherent ridiculous side of the a cappella art form." [5]
Contents
History
Origins (1999-2006)
Founded by Tom Mullaney, Orphan's Pork was largely thought to be a reaction to Rutgers' only other co-ed a cappella group at the time, Deep Treble. In stark contrast to Deep Treble's purist version of acapella and uniform attire, Mullaney constructed a group that, while very talented, exuded a certain wackiness, punctuated by the group's colorful shirts. The group prided itself on having fun on stage and using this energy to engage audiences and Tom's Mom. The group continued on like this for several more years (or forever).
Transformation (2007-2010)
Fall 2007 marked a change for the group as, then musical director, Meredith Silver began to shape the group to have a much cleaner, technical sound. Additionally, in the winter of 2008 the group recorded a studio album, A Little Bite of Everything. During the 2009-2010 academic year the group entered the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, where they placed 2nd in the semifinals.
Current members
- Soprano
- Julie Melchor (Musical Director)
- Meghann Carr (Assistant Musical Director)
- Grace Lee
- Deanna Shih
- Alto
- Ela Joshi (Business Manager)
- Katherine Geithman (Assistant Business Manager)
- Schuyler Schrickel
- Sarah DeMarchena
- Tenor
- Andrew McCullogh
- Matt Wu
- Salieu Kanu
- Bass
- Reggie Harrison
- Sam "Night-Hawk" Paul (Treasurer)
- Sam Lee
- Justin Rice
Recordings
The OrphanSporks made a studio recording, A Little Bite of Everything, which received praise from The Recorded A capella Review Board, receiving a score of 4 out of 5.[6] The album was also among a select few in the nation to make it onto the Contemporary A Cappella Society's 2009 Best Mixed Collegiate Album Shortlist.[7]
A Little Bite of Everything
- "Stuck" (Stacy Orrico)
- "Vienna" (The Fray)
- "Lonely No More" (Rob Thomas)
- "Suddenly" (KT Tunstall)
- "Tragic/Don't Speak" (No Doubt)
- "Take Me Home Tonight" (Eddie Money)
- "St. Teresa" (Joan Osbourne)
- "Volcano" (Damien Rice)
- "Get By" (Talib Kweli)
- "You Found Me" (Kelly Clarkson)
References
- ^ LaParo, Kendall. "The OrphanSporks: About Us." http://www.orphansporks.com/?page_id=2
- ^ Rutgers Organizations and Groups, http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/organizations/find-an-organization/?category=7&search-text=orphan+sporks&x=0&y=0
- ^ Varsity Vocals Results 2010 http://www.varsityvocals.com/acappella-results.html
- ^ Alvarez, Armando. "OrphanSporks dominates Mid-Atlantic a cappella scene." Feb 8, 2010. http://www.dailytargum.com/university/orphansporks-dominates-mid-atlantic-a-cappella-scene-1.2144228
- ^ Whitley, Guang Ming. "Rutgers University The OrphanSporks A Little Bite of Everything." http://www.rarb.org/reviews/921.html
- ^ Whitley, Guang Ming. "Rutgers University The OrphanSporks A Little Bite of Everything." http://www.rarb.org/reviews/921.html
- ^ Hoffman, Julia. "Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award." http://www.casa.org/cara2009sl
External links
Categories:- Rutgers University
- Collegiate a cappella groups
- Musical groups established in 1999
- Soprano
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