Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Page 8 Special mTUE GAMECOCK Members of USC’s all-male a capella group, Sound Check, held auditions on Aug. 28 in a search for new members. USC men revamp a cappella group ITIegan Sinclair FOR THE GAMECOCK Higher Harmony, USC’s male a cappella group, was left in the dust last year at the spring concert as the members premiered a new collegiate sound. This year the group continues its quest to change its image with a different name and new goals. The members of newly named Sound Check look to attract their college peers with a selection of contemporary songs and retail advertisement. Vice President Brian Glosh, a second-year music education student, cites the 2005 spring concert as Higher Harmony’s conversion into Sound Check. “We kind of demonstrated our different sound in last year’s spring concert. Higher narmony was more aoo-wop songs like ‘For the Longest Time.’ Sound Check is more contemporary; we did songs like ‘Stacy’s Mom’ and ‘Girlfriend’ by Justin Timberlake. It’s a more collegiate-geared sound,” Glosh said. Despite their desire to draw a more youthful crowd, Sound Check plans to keep some traditional a cappella styles in their shows. The group practices different styles of music to appeal to a diverse group. “We do have liturgical styles,” Glosh said. “We have many different sounds.” A cappella is a style of music that relies solely on the voices of performers. An instrument is used in a cappella only at the beginning of the song, to give performers their starting pitch. The rest of the song is performed unaccompanied. Not having to rely on an instrument to lead the performance gives the members of Sound Check a sense of stylistic freedom. Glosh feels this freedom is representative of the college lifestyle. “I think a cappella is really the college style of music because there is a lot of freedom; you can do anything you want. That’s what college students want: freedom,” Glosh said. Spund Check so far consists of President Joey Burdett, a third-year public relations student; Glosh; Treasurer Matt Perdue, a third-year accounting student; Secretary Daniel Russo; a third-year marine science student; Timmy Pierce, a third-year music education student; Josh Ohiser, a fifth year child psychology student; and Bryan Haskins, a fourth year political science student. Sound Check looks to produce a CD this year as well. “This is the first year were going to try to professionally record,” Burdett said. “Our biggest aspiration is to have a professional recording of 10 or more songs, for demo purposes and of course for retail.” Producing a CD is part of Sound Check’s goal to present themselves as available entertainment to the student body. “I really just don’t think people know about us. We don’t have a certain crowd we’re going for,” Glosh said. “Any male a cappella group should have been made 20 years ago, but it wasn’t.” Burdett said he hopes this year will help Sound Check become a popular performance group on campus. its amazing at a school this size a group like this hasn’t blossomed yet,” Burdett said. Auditions were held Sunday. Students who missed the audition date might still have a chance, though. “If we don’t feel like the audition turnout was good enough we may set a second,” Glosh said. Burdett said interested students could contact the group. “They can contact me at my e-mail, or we have a group e mail. We usually have two auditions a year. We’ll have another after Christmas break if we need it,” Burdett said. Higher Harmony, the original male a cappella group, was formed about five years ago. The group performed at USC’s £005 World Day ceremony, the S.C. Governor’s Mansion, two university chorus concerts and other concerts and pageants. In the future Sound Check looks to compete in collegiate a cappella competitions. No performances are scheduled yet this year. “We have not set a date for a concert yet,” Burdett said. “Our first real concert will probably be the winter concert. We may have gigs at some places; we haven’t set any dates . » yet. In the meantime Sound Check wants students to know what an a cappella group can offer. “It’s great entertainment. People don’t realize that. When we have concerts it’s free and a lot of fun,” Burdett said. “This year we’re going to try to bring to the table music students look for.” Members cite the fact that they are a student organization as another way they can be in touch with university students. “Were student governed. We have an advisor, but we pick our music, arrange our music and budget for ourselves,” Burdett said. Glosh said Sound Check is fun for members as well as the audience. “We just have fun,” Glosh said. For more information, contact the group at harmony@gwm.sc.edu or Burdett at Burdett@mailbox.sc.edu. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc^edu Hello, my name is: Christen Ruble, first-year visual communications student Chelsey IHoore FOR THE GAMECOCK WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COMMERCIAL JINGLE? “The Fanta jingle! Wanta Fanta, don’t you wanta, wanta Fanta....” WHAT’S THE COOLEST HALLOWEEN COSTUME YOU’VE EVER WORN? “Last year, my friends and I dressed up as construction workers, and that was fun.” NACHO CHEESE OR COOL RANCH DORITOS? Macho Cheese. WHAT SONG DO YOU HAVE STUCK IN YOUR HEAD RIGHT NOW? “‘I Feel Home’ by OAR.” WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING/INNOVATIVE THING YOU’VE EVER DONE WITH DUCT TAPE? “We duct-taped our blinds up!” IF YOU WERE GOING TO DIE TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT YOUR LAST MEAL TO BE? “Grilled cheese and french fries.” HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE? “Light and sweet.” WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME YOUR FIRST-BORN? “Benton if it’s a boy. I’ve always liked the name Laura for a girl.” DO YOU SLEEP WITH THE LIGHT ON? “No.” WOULD YOU RATHER BE A WIZARD OR A JEDI? “Probably a wizard.” IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT WOULD YOUR NAME BE? “Grilled-Cheese Yellow.” Knitting shop owned by men For Philadephia duo, inherited store defies gender stereotypes, prejudices Tanya Barrientos KRT CAMPUS PHILADELPHIA — Jim Casale knows the question is coming, so he waits for it with a patient smile. “They don’t just ask: 'Do you knit?”’ he said. “They say: 'You knit?”’ It’s uncommon, to say the least, for a man to run a knitting shop. So Casale understands that shoppers might be taken aback when they step into the Knit With yarn store in Chestnut Hill, Pa., and find not just him, but his brother-in-law Bill Giampa, in charge. Yes. He knits, and so does Giampa. They also know the difference between kid mohair yarn and super kid mohair. They know Addi turbo needles are better than birch, if speed is what you’re after. It’s their job. And their family duty. Inside the snug 500-square foot needlework boutique, there are more than 600 types of yarn stashed in almost every nook and cranny. Bunches of cashmere, angora and merino sit like scoops of ice cream inside wooden cubbyholes. Hanks of gem colored, hand-dyed wools dangle from the ceiling, and the funky stuff that looks like hairy hamsters is near the entryway. Yet there is one spot, just above the counter, next to the artisan buttons, where there is no clutter. It is where the portrait of Casale’s late mother hangs. Marguerite H. Casale, a native of Newfoundland who founded the shop 35 years ago, died from cancer last summer and left the Knit With to her son and his younger sister Dawn Giampa. The plan was for Dawn Giampa to step into her mother’s shoes and keep the business alive. But the way things have worked out, it’s the men who have taken on the role of full-time shopkeepers. Marguerite Casale, known to her friends and customers as Marge, opened the Knit With in 1970 when she was pregnant with Dawn Giampa, the youngest of eight children. “I was in the shop all the time,” Dawn Giampa said. “I learned to knit by sitting KfllTTinG • 9 v &