Lehigh University Melismatics

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The Lehigh University Melismatics is the premiere co-ed a cappella group at Lehigh University. Founded by Anita Green and Hayley Teich in 2001, the Melismatics--or Mels for short--is an energetic and diverse group, composed of music majors and non-music majors alike.

The group performs a cappella arrangements of popular songs from today and yesterday, including songs by Justin Timberlake, Queen, Ben Folds, Journey, Stevie Wonder, Britney Spears, and George Michael. Repertoire is chosen in music meetings, where members suggest songs and then vote, taking into account song popularity, difficulty, and "arrangability". All songs performed are arranged and taught by members of the group, making the Mels an entirely student-run organization.

The Melismatics rehearse twice a week, for a total of five hours, and perform in three on-campus concerts per year, including Lehigh University's Annual A Cappella Invitational, which features all three of Lehigh's groups as well as guest groups from schools in the surrounding area. The Mels also sing at other university functions, schools, and venues; in 2006 they appeared on-stage at Allentown's Symphony Hall in the Lehigh Valley Chorus's annual concert, along with Vocal Spectrum, the 2006 International Barbershop Quartet Champions.

On March 1st, 2008, the Melismatics competed for the first time in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, along with the Lehigh University Echoes (the university's only all-female a cappella group). While the Mels did not walk away with any awards, it was a fun evening spent with good friends and good a cappella music.

[edit] External Links

Official Website
Official Facebook Fanpage
Official MySpace page
CASA (the Contemporary A Cappella Society) Profile