Owtsiders

Owtsiders
Origin	Delaware, Ohio, United States
Genres	a cappella
Years active	1999–present

The Owtsiders is a co-ed a cappella group composed of current undergraduate students at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. Established in 1999, the completely student-run group performs regularly on their home campus. The Owtsiders have toured extensively throughout the United States, most recently to inner-city Chicago. The group has released 3 full-length albums, with another album on its way in early Fall 2006.

History

Beginnings

In 1998, the first conversation between two freshmen students, Mary Kinney and Chris Kittredge, was about a cappella music. By the end of the year, they grabbed another friend, Frank Gebauer, and set out to create a group of unique individuals who would break all the rules of music on campus and give something fun to the students. Much of their inspiration came from the Georgetown Phantoms and University of Pennsylvania's Off the Beat. By the start of 1999, the audition process began, and soon a total of twelve students were in the group for the first rehearsals.

Development and Setbacks

In October 1999, The Owtsiders had their debut performance at Ohio Wesleyan's annual Red and Black Review. Each song they sang received a standing ovation from the audience, solidifying the group's presence on campus.

By the end of the 1999-2000 school year, a fourth of the group had dropped out, leaving 9 members, only 3 of which were female. Since the members did not expect the group to last beyond the summer, they held one more show for their families, known as "The Parents Show," rekindling their a cappella spirits to stick together.

Their second year was marked with a significant growth in numbers (18), the development of a structured leadership system, and the arrangement of new, original works.

Today

Since 2002, the group has actively recorded albums and gone on at least one tour every school year. The number of performances increases each year, as the members' thirst for sharing their music grows stronger.

The Mascot

File:OwtsidersLogo2.jpg

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The mascot of The Owtsiders, the rooster, has been spotted on members' official apparel, and a taxidermized rooster, nicknamed "Real Big," makes occasional appearances at live shows. Rumor has it that the rooster comes from a secret, underground name of The Owtsiders, and that each member pays homage to the mascot with his/her individual nickname.

Traditions

At Ohio Wesleyan's "Red and Black Review" and "Spring Cabaret," The Owtsiders perform in crazy clothes, typically scantily clad. The group performs frequently in the Stuy Smoker at Stuyvesant Hall, particularly just before finals week. With each April comes their "Big Spring Show" during Monnett Weekend, which showcases the group's entire repertoire. Before commencement, The Owtsiders perform a Senior Show at the Mean Bean Coffee House, which showcases the senior members as soloists. They also typically get the keynote anthem of the Baccalaureate ceremonies.

Tour

During the Fall Semester (Typically in November), the group tours within Ohio. In the Spring Semester, the group branches out to other states across the country. The venues vary, but usually the group promotes Ohio Wesleyan University at high school shows. They have also been seen at area restaurants, shopping malls, parks, and national landmarks.

Fall Tours

• Vermilion, Elyria, West Cleveland (2005)
• Elyria, Westlake, Bay Village (2004)
• Westlake, North Olmsted, Avon Lake, Bay Village (2003)

Spring Tours

• Inner-City Chicago, philanthropic tour (2006)
• Akron, OH, Washington, DC, Rumson, NJ, New York City (2005)
• Rochester, NY, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Boston, MA (2003)
• Connecticut and Massachusetts (2002)

Albums

• New Album (Expected Fall 2006)
• Cocktales (2005)
• Owtsiders: Reloaded (2003)
• Owtsiders 2002
• Live Demos- Extremely Rare (2001)

Auditioning

Auditions are held within the first few weeks of the school year, although a few additional auditions have occurred later in the year. Membership must be limited to full-time students at Ohio Wesleyan University, though age range has varied from 17 to 55. Prospective members are required to sing a 1-minute, unaccompanied solo, do a range test, sing a song with the group, and answer questions asked by the group. Selections are based on singing quality, enthusiasm, and the number of spots available.