Tonight, Cohen Auditorium will reverberate with the smooth sounds of the Beelzebubs, Tufts' oldest male a cappella group. In their last performance of the year, the guys promise a fantastic evening replete with harmonies, skits and laughs. The "Bubs in the Pub" program presents nearly every song the Bubs have sung this year, as well as selections from their latest CD, "Shedding."
Despite the dreary rain Wednesday evening, several Bubs have gathered in Brown and Brew to share their thoughts about what to expect. The concert is "an eclectic mix of all types of songs," sophomore Matt Kraft said. "It's going to be a really good time."
With concerts practically every weekend, guest gigs, a spring trip to Hawaii and a new album coming out, these guys have had a tough balancing act to manage. They laugh as they joke about scheduling everything from classes to social life around the group. Yet they do so in good spirits: "We don't really know Tufts in any other light," said Kraft, who has been involved since his freshman year. The guys claim to have little room for social life in their demanding practice schedule - however, given their popularity on campus, that's hard to believe.
Because of members' devotion to the group, schoolwork can take a hit as well. Nevertheless, the Bubs insist that for the most part, professors are understanding of the group's commitment to their craft. Weekends overall tend to be made up of travel, performances, or rehearsal time; one might find a Bub in the library only on Sunday night.
The group does not solely stick to the Hill for performance venues. They take part in active exchanges with other singing groups across the country. In addition to having guest performers at their own concerts, the Bubs spend a lot of time visiting other colleges where they, in turn, are the guests.
Collegiate a cappella has increasingly grown in popularity; the Bubs have several long-time partners, such as the University of Virginia Silhouettes, the University of Southern California Sirens and the University of North Carolina Loreleis, among others. By meeting peers in the a cappella community and working closely with them, the Bubs benefit musically and form close friendships.
The dynamics of their group help the Bubs achieve a unity in performance and sound, as well as friendships. "We spend so much time together - it'd be terrible if we didn't get along!" sophomore Matt Michelson said, the group's business manager. The guys seem to be close friends both onstage and off, bringing a personable charm to their performances.
Despite the variation in the group's composition, their overall character remains engaging and enjoyable. "I think it's safe to say that we're just a group of guys who love to have fun and goof off ... and most of us can sing!" Kraft said.
Choosing material to sing is an important group activity; the guys hold listening sessions where they can suggest music or arrangements. The group votes on songs, but ultimately their music director, junior Sean Zinsmeister, has the final word.
They also arrange the music on their own, sometimes with the input of alumni. The variety of the Bubs' repertoire includes everything from classic staples to modern pop, so there is usually something for every ear.
Their new CD, "Shedding," to be released today, is the first album the group recorded entirely themselves, rather than producing in a professional studio. For this album, they drew on the support of alumni, who helped them with the CD's artwork as well as the recording. Through these connections, they produced the same professional quality while maintaining close relations with their alumni base. "This way it stays within the Bubs connection," freshman Doug Terry said.
Usually, the group spends an intense week or so in the recording studio, where they sing from morning to night. By spreading the recording over a period of several months, however, they were able to relax a bit and personalize the album. The product - entirely self-produced - will be available for sale at the concert.
The Beelzebubs are one of the most popular a cappella groups on campus (just recently voted 'Best Performing Group' in the Daily's own survey). When asked about what makes the group so appealing, stage presence seems to be a common reply.
"Part of what we strive to do when we perform is just have fun," Michelson said. "I think that by seeing us really have fun onstage, an audience can enjoy a concert that much more."
