#gemini blvd.

[howwemetthemother]

I'm on duty in the office and Gemini Blvd. (UCF's co-ed a cappella group) as well as other a cappella members are practicing in the activity center. They just busted out an 80's medley with (from what I only caught) Ghosbusters, Captain Planet and TMNT.

Can't wait to hear them again in the fall!

[ucfacappella]

GB Rehearsal: An observer's perspective

I have the privilege tonight of sitting in on one of Gemini Blvd's more informal rehearsals. They're getting ready for a big on-campus performance tomorrow - singing at President Hitt's 20th anniversary celebration, and since only a fraction of their members are able to attend, they'll be organically arranging a couple of songs that have been requested by President Hitt's staff, reworking the lyrics to fit a UCF theme.

I think my favorite part about watching this group rehearse is the sound balance they have - not only musically, but in their approach to rehearsing and interacting with each other.

Haha. "Sound balance". I crack myself up.

Anyway, a little background: Gemini Blvd, fondly known as "Gb," was founded in the Spring of 2009 by Robert Draper and Steve Ekblom as the premiere co-ed a cappella group at UCF. With the goal of creating a group that can perform a wide variety of music from all different eras, Robert and Steve set out to assemble a group of talented musicians, all with a love for music and a passion for performing. 

Now nearly three years later, this group has really grown into its own. It's kind of amazing just to watch the group improvise such a pleasing and fun arrangement off-the-cuff. You only have to watch them work for a couple minutes to see how in sync they are with each other.

One of the members, the only bass for this truncated version of the group, is arriving later. 

"We're missing the bass line," remarks another member.

"That's okay; Zack will figure it out," says music director Chris, with complete faith.

And they move on to the next section of the arrangement.

Basically, whenever you have the opportunity to see this group perform, take it. Even observing half of their usual members at an informal rehearsal, they're dynamic and engaging to watch, and that's to say nothing of their rich group sound and star soloists.

Gemini Blvd. will be performing for President Hitt's 20th Anniversary celebration tomorrow at 2 PM in the Pegasus Ballroom- UCF Student Union. Make sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

- Angele Maraj, President of Contemporary A Cappella