UD a cappella group heads to national competition singing a powerful message

A University of Delaware a cappella group is heading to a prestigious national singing competition with a performance that carries a powerful message.

Through an interpretation of the story of Medusa from Greek mythology, Vocal Point aims to spark a discussion about domestic violence.

“We really thought that the message could not only resonate within each of us, but also help people in the audience who are going through situations like that to feel like they are heard and that they are important,” said Nicholas Quintana, a UD junior from Middletown. “Music is such a powerful thing that it would have been a wasted opportunity if we didn't share a message that also is very important.”

Vocal Point, a 12-member group that is in its 26th year, is one of eight a cappella groups competing at the VoiceJam competition in Fayetteville, Ark., on April 12. After submitting a video audition, the group was chosen to participate from among hundreds of submissions from around the country.

Vocal Point's three-song set will include a mashup of “Tongue” originally performed by Maribou State and Loïc Nottet’s “Million Eyes;” “Medusa” by Kaia Jette; and Hayley Williams’ “Simmer.”

The three pieces are intended to represent the loss of innocence that happened when Poseidon raped Medusa, then rage and grief, then reclamation.

“Unfortunately there's a large statistic of women who are living with the trauma of domestic violence or sexual assault, for whom Medusa plays this symbol of hope and survival,” said Rebecca Stutzman, a sophomore from Kansas City, Mo. “The truth of trauma is that it never goes away. It is a very impactful piece of the identity of many women that minimizes over time that you then reclaim and grow from.”

Vocal Point also partnered with a sexual violence support group to provide resources to attendees at a preview show that Vocal Point performed on campus.

“People have literally come up to us after we do our set in tears and said 'That spoke to us so much,'” said Grace Newman, a senior from Connecticut.

Vocal Point is coming off its third-consecutive appearance in the International Competition for Collegiate A Capella semifinals, the most recent of which was held March 23 at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington.

The group does all its own choreography and rehearses for nine hours each week.

“This year, we've all become very close with each other, very tight knit, like a singing, harmonizing family, I like to say,” said Mei Tobin, a sophomore from Newark. “I think that really adds to being able to work together as a team, being able to communicate, being able to create this beautiful art.”