A look into Ladue’s acapella groups

MAKING

Left: The Ladudes sing in the Washington University theater. They met at seminar to practice beforehand. “We would warm up with scales or singing,” junior Daniel Byer said. (Photo courtesy of Leo Bochicchio) Above: Viva Voce sings their competition set for an audience. The group spent mornings practicing. “We would rehearse and go through songs,” senior Anna Demkovitch said. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Wild)

NOISE

Ladue’s a capella groups provide outlet for singers

ABBEY CARRICO

features staff

For most students, Thursdays are filled to the brink with exams and school work. However, for Ladue’s two a capella groups, Viva Voce and The

Ladudes, it’s a day packed with rehearsals, scales and memories that brings together students and allows them to pursue their passion. Before COVID-19, members of Viva Voce, the all-female group, met at school at around 6 a.m. once a week to rehearse for competitions. The all-male group,

The Ladudes, would gather during seminar to practice on Mondays and Thursdays. “We’d have one of the leaders break out the group and take certain people depending on what they were singing, and rehearse their parts,” junior Daniel Byer, a member of The Ladudes, said. Viva Voce was established by a group who wanted to continue working with Leah Alrutz, their former choir teacher and now Viva Voce’s current director and sponsor. Similarly, in 2016, former Ladue students Charlie Yeldham and William Carr founded The Ladudes. Since The Ladudes are a relatively new a capella group, the group has explored the possibility of merging with other schools to compete. “We have had some ideas on how we can get a big enough group to go to events,” Byer said. “We have had talks about joining a capella groups from other schools and making one big a capella group.” However, this idea has been put on hold as social distancing regulations affect their in-person meetings. Nonetheless, despite COVID-19’s challenges, Viva Voce will participate in their annual competition that allows them to put their skills to the test. “The competition is called The International Competition of High School A Capella, and this year it’s going to be virtual,” senior and president of Viva Voce Anna Demkovitch said. “Our director is going to get recordings of each member of the group singing [their] parts, and then edit it so it is synchronized.” This upcoming school year, Viva Voce, with the help of Alrutz, will compete against 250 schools across the country. Aside from national events, Viva Voce also participates in more localized activities. “We do lots of things out in the community for different charity events,” Alrutz said. “We have gone and sang at nursing homes and different fundraising events around St. Louis.” Through the clubs’ efforts, interested students can pursue their passion and grow as singers. Both Viva Voce and The Ladudes create an outlet for potential singers to showcase their voices and talent. “It’s been fun to get to know other students that maybe aren’t choir kids but are still really talented and want to dedicate some time into creating a capella music,” Alrutz said. “It’s been really fun to see kids from all different areas come together and make music.” p