Pioneer LogLewis & Clark College’s Student-Run Newspaper

Meet the Ravine Academy: the “new” a cappela group

April 16, 2010

by Lindsey Bosse

According to Shelby Campbell (’13), the Ravine Academy “has everyone who is the coolest.” Beyond that? The group is blessed with some epic talent, including some ballin’ rap and beatbox skills which are fronted by females in the group (refer back to Campbell’s comment). The newest co-ed a cappella group began fall semester thanks to the tender love and care of Maggie Hennessy (’11) and Lindsey Alt (’11). First semester, the group held a solid eight participants, and since returning for second semester has acquired five more vocalists through auditions. As the year has progressed, the group has developed its own “good vibes”—a phrase used by almost all the group members at least once in describing their dynamic.

“Everyone has really contributed,” said Alt. “It’s not like I had a handbook for co-ed a cappella groups. Our hopes were for a group of people with a love for singing, and it is.  And, we know everyone on a personal level.”

At the beginning of the semester, a cappella groups always venture from campus on a retreat. This semester the group wandered off to the coast and got snuggly in its own beach cabin for the weekend. Reminiscing about the trip, every member eagerly added another detail to the epicness that was their retreat.            

“We made a cake, but forgot a cake pan so we made it in a cast iron skillet,” Zander Schrempp (’11) said. “It worked!”

“Tropical bird mating,” three of the women chimed in.

“We got Lindsay into the ocean,” said Kim Toy (’11). “In all of her clothes.”

To which Alt responded, “I had to throw away that belt.”

This semester the group has really come into its own. The group recalled its first concert last semester and summoned up suppressed feelings of anxiousness. When reflecting on stage appearances this semester, however, the group sounded much more enthused. One weekend they sang back-to-back with strong performances and well-earned pride. To celebrate, the singers treated themselves to some good ol’ Bannings food, where they met their first die-hard fans.

The group had sung for the restaurant, still reeling from the stage high of the successful weekend. Shortly after their performance, two little girls came up to their table and proceeded to serenade the group with their own rapped version of Miley Cyrus. The admiration between the young singers and the Ravine Academy was, needless to say, mutual.

The group members come from a range of musical experience, from people who couldn’t read music to musicians who play several instruments. As Alt said, the group was really founded on a passion for singing.  It’s evident that the group is passionate when watching them perform. Campbell is the resident finger-snapper and can hold that beat like no one’s business. The rest of the group members bob and sway to their own beat, sometimes just bustin’ a move with enthusiasm for the music.

At the end of the semester the group will be losing three seniors. Next year the group hopes to acquire more group members, and “keep up the vibe” according to Campbell, with which the whole group nodded in agreement.