About Cadenza
What kind of music does Cadenza perform?
Cadenza takes pride in arranging our own music! Every song in our repertoire has been arranged by a member of the group, past or present, with our specific voices in mind.
We’ve performed songs from a variety of genres including pop, R&B, and alternative, but the sound of our group is always changing depending on what our members are excited to arrange and to sing. You can view our current (and past) repertoire on our website and listen to us on your preferred streaming service to get a feel for our music!
What is Cadenza planning for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year?
We have a big year ahead of us, one that involves to release of our newest EP and Music Video featuring our ICCA Set that placed 3rd in the Great Lakes Quarterfinals in 2024 and learning new music arranged by our members. As always, we will host our Singing Valentines fundraiser and serenade people in Hyde Park and beyond. Depending on what the group wants, we could also pick up additional projects like video production and expanding our TikTok and Instagram reels presence as well as doing exciting gigs around the Chicagoland area and beyond. We’re so excited to make music together and cannot wait to share it with you all!
What is the time commitment for Cadenza?
Cadenza typically rehearses three days a week for two hours each, so six hours per week. Depending on the music we’re learning and any upcoming performances, we may add additional rehearsals or sectionals.
Outside of Cadenza, our members are involved in all kinds of other extracurricular activities such as Greek life, research, part-time jobs, other RSOs, and more. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions about the time commitment required to sing with us.
Do I need to be female-identifying to join Cadenza?
No! We recently changed our name from Unaccompanied Women est. 1989 to Cadenza to reflect this very philosophy: we are not an “all female” a cappella group. Recognizing that gender exists on a spectrum, we define ourselves as a high voices group that welcomes gender-expansive identities. If you’re interested in Cadenza and you identify as a woman, nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, or any other non-cis identity, we would love to hear you sing for us.
About Auditions
Can I audition if I’m not a first year in the College? Can I audition if I’m a graduate student?
Yes! Any current student at the University of Chicago is welcome to audition regardless of year or division.
WHEN ARE AUDITIONS?
Cadenza hosts auditions at the beginning of Autumn Quarter every year. Some years, we may also have an additional round of auditions in the winter.
Fall 2024 auditions will take place in the first week of the quarter (Sept. 30th - Oct 1st) and will be in-person. This year we will also be hosting Mid-Year Audtions on January 8th and 9th, 2025 from 5-10pm in Cobb. Sign ups can be accessed via the link in our bio!
Can I audition for multiple a cappella groups?
Yes, and we encourage you to do so! UChicago has seven a cappella groups, each with their own traditions and musical style. Our A Cappella Council coordinates auditions in the fall to allow anyone interested in a cappella to audition for as many groups as they like. If you receive callbacks from multiple groups, we will make sure you have the chance to attend all of your callbacks and can experience each group you’re interested in.
What do I need to prepare for my audition?
At auditions, we’ll lead you through vocal warmups, some pitch memory exercises, and an optional sight-singing exercise--don’t worry if you can’t sight-sing, this is NOT a requirement to join Cadenza. We’ll then ask you to sing your chosen solo for us. Your solo can be any song you feel showcases your voice! We ask that you sing for about one minute (often a verse and a chorus). Finally, we’ll teach you some vocal percussion!
When will I hear about callbacks? How will they work?
Callbacks will be held in the evening during the latter half of the first week of the quarter. We will email you after auditions have concluded on Wednesday, October 1st to let you know whether you got a callback. All the information you need will be included in that email.
What does Cadenza look for in the audition process?
There is no one kind of singer that we look for in Cadenza. Some of us had extensive musical training before joining us, while others just liked to sing in the shower; both of those and anywhere in between are welcome!
We want to get to know who you are as a singer, both as an individual and as a member of an ensemble. We’ll be listening for things like dynamics (how loud and soft you can be), intonation (your sense of pitch), versatility/control (your ability to do different things with your voice), and musicality (your musical instincts). Singing a cappella might be very different from any previous singing experience you have, so we also hope to see that you’re willing to learn new techniques and adjust.
How many new members join each cycle?
It depends on the year. In previous years, we’ve taken anywhere between one and five new members at a time.