On the heels of two newly-produced music videos and a hustling winter and spring schedule that included the group’s first feature concert, K-State’s RESONATE A CAPELLA vocal group is looking forward to a short summer “almost break” before ratcheting back up its performance schedule in the fall.
The student-led, K-State-affiliated 14 member group launched in February and quickly became the buzz of the Manhattan music scene, driven by rich harmonies, entrancing visuals and a diverse catalog featuring vocal-centered renditions of songs by Frank Sinatra, Adele, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder and others. Its April concert finale featured an ambitious 18 song set, but even with some chill time over the summer the band is auditioning for three new members to replace original cast lost to attrition and graduation.
“It’s slowed down a lot for the summer, but we still have spots we need to fill by the week school starts in August,” said Indigo Belanger, an alto from Manhattan. “The audition link is on our instagram bio. We’re looking particularly for tenor bass, but if you’ve got a strong voice and a teamwork attitude we want to hear from you.”
All full time students, Resonate members maintain a twice weekly rehearsal schedule in addition to promotion, recording, marketing and technical work. The expectations are more than just showing up to sing, said Tonganoxie tenor Caden Phillips.
“Everyone has a job to do off stage – it’s the only way we can make this work,” Phillips said. “There’s advertising and press releases and booking and scheduling and transportation. It doesn’t really seem like work because we’re all having so much fun, but you have to do it right and it takes a commitment.”
Upcoming performances for the band include the World Religions Festival in Manhattan August 27 and the Purple Power Play August 30. Follow the band’s developing schedule or contact for booking information via Resonate social media.
Dane Hicks is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. He is the author of novels "The Skinning Tree" and "A Whisper For Help." As publisher of the Anderson County Review in Garnett, KS., he is a recipient of the Kansas Press Association's Boyd Community Service Award as well as more than 60 awards for excellence in news, editorial and photography.
