Bella Voce croons campus sweethearts
The group was hired to sing a cappella songs to 14 students on Valentine's Day
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 2/15/11 Section: News
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Valograms, now in its third year, is a tradition in which girls from the Bella Voce girl's choral group receive requests from students who want a love song sung a cappella to a friend or significant other on Valentine's Day.
"We have an option of four songs this year. To place an order you have to have the information of what time and what class, who the professor is, where the class is and the name of the person," said Bella Voce co-social Ashlee Copeland.
The $20 paid for each delivery also buys a goody bag and flower, which is paid for by the Bella Voce budget, for the person receiving the gift.
"The money goes to the women who participate and to fundraise for the group," Copeland said.
This year's deliveries reached 14, which was a satisfying amount, but not as many as past years.
"Last year, there were so many orders we had to go over two days. It was good but crazy," said four-year Bella Voce member Heather Redman.
Redman noted that one of the more prominent concerns with Valograms is getting 30 choir singers used to singing without instruments.
"The biggest obstacle we've encountered so far is with a cappella. There are no instruments to back you up; everyone has to stay on track," Redman said.
Bella Voce singer and treasurer Jackie Morgan joined the Valogram singing for the first time yesterday.
"It's been really fun - I've never sang a cappella before," Morgan said. "You're making noises instead of saying lines of poetry. It's a very different type of singing experience."
Preparation for Valograms began the beginning of the term for some Bella Voce members. Actual rehearsal of the four songs began in week three.
"Valograms is completely student run. We're the ones getting the e-mails; we're the ones talking to professors," said Ali Baker-Dongug about the event.
Along with her position as co-social, Baker-Dongug was responsible for putting together one of the four song options for Valogram clients. Her ensemble, "The Way I Am," is a rendition of the original song written by artist Ingrid Michaelson. The other options included "Come Go with Me," "Longest Time" and "Stand by Me."
The Bella Voce singers were enthusiastic about their opportunity to provide the OSU community with a unique gift idea for one of the most popular holidays of the year.
"Since we all love music so much, we like to help other people show they care by doing something we love," said member Leanna Rivas.
Valograms is not the only event in which Bella Voce, which has been in existence for more than 10 years, gets to show off their singing abilities.
"We have concerts once a term, this term is an exception," Copeland said. "We meet three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday because it's a class for one or two credits."
Members of Bella Voce not only enjoy the performance element, but also the chance to be in a comfortable environment where individuals gets recognized for their abilities, which is not always true for concert or chamber choir.
While events like Valograms bring recognition and a little monetary reward to the lady singers of Bella Voce, Morgan stated the real delight lies in the actual singing.
"We do enjoy it - that's why we do it."
Joce DeWitt, staff writer
737-2231, news@dailybarometer.com
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