Cypress Lake's The A Cappella Group heading to NYC competition
The A Cappella Group from Cypress Lake High School hit all the right notes at a competition over the weekend, taking first place and earning a spot in the high school equivalent of the contests featured in the "Pitch Perfect" movie series.
And while the team of 23 singers has the rhythm, moves and instrumental-free voices to top the competition, the Lee County students are short on funds to make the trip to New York City.
That's because the elite performance group is already committed to singing the week before at the National A Cappella Convention in Memphis — an experience the kids have been raising money for since January. With an invite to sing at the International Champions High School A Cappella Finals a week later on April 29, it's no surprise the students' parents are having trouble funding both trips.
TAG is Heading to New York City for ICHSA Finals | PARENTS OF THE A CAPPELLA GROUP INC's Fundraiser
"That's going to be a crazy two weeks," said director Gary Stroh. "It's very exciting."
On Tuesday, Stroh set up a crowd funding page through Crowd Rise, a website that helps nonprofit organizations raise tax deductible donations from the community. So far, $325 has been donated toward the group's $10,000 goal.
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He also said the group is ready to perform for events in the community — be it weddings, birthdays or bar mitzvahs — as well as pop-up fundraisers outside of shopping centers, like Publix, where the kids can perform and showcase their talents in person.
"The students are available to go sing for people, and that’s what they really like to do," Stroh said.
The a cappella singers will also perform in a fundraising concert at the school on April 16. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5.
"We do have a silent auction with lots of big-ticket items," Stroh said.
In the past, the concert has helped the group raise enough money to pay for its studio albums. Since Stroh founded the group in 2003, the school has made eight a cappella records.
The most recent album, "Bright," was a "Pick of 2015" for the A Cappella Review Board, and, overall, the group has earned 22 nominations and six awards from the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, which Stroh said is similar to the Grammys.
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"We've had a long history of doing great things," he added.
The last time the group won the semi-finals was in 2007, and since then the singers have struggled to get past second place.
"This year we finally got over the hump," Stroh said.
When Madison Slamka, 17, heard the school’s name announced as the winner, she couldn’t hold back her tears.
“I started bawling, it was just such an amazing experience,” said Slamka, a senior who has been with the a cappella group all four years.
Being in the group has been “amazing” for Slamka, who said her peers are all “dedicated to make beautiful music and change lives.”
That includes Brittany Russell, 18, a senior who won the award for best soloist for her rendition of "Burn it Down" at the semi-finals over the weekend.
“I’m honestly so glad that it’s happening my senior year,” she said. “I’m proud of everyone and excited to take it all the way to New York City and show everyone what we can do.”
To make sure this happens, the students need help from the community.
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Donations may also be mailed to the school, 6740 Panther Lane, Fort Myers, with checks made out to "Parents of TAG." Whether submitted online through Crowd Rise or a check mailed to the school, donors will receive one of the school's award-winning albums.
For more information, send an email to garyrs@leeschools.net.
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