Ithaca is a cold, lonesome place. I may believe this because I’m from the sunny state of California, but regardless, that was the mindset I had traveling 3,000 miles from home to Cornell. Entering as a sophomore transfer student undoubtedly made things worse. I left my previous school just as I had gotten comfortable. Not to mention, making new friends seems to get more difficult with age. I can acknowledge that this was my decision to make, but the transition was more difficult that I imagined it would be. I didn’t know how to find my place here — all in all, I had a very rocky start.
Anyways, you might be wondering if I planned on transferring back … The thought crossed my mind many times, so much so that I planned to, but I joined The Callbaxx — an a cappella group on campus — instead. Now I’m not going to tell you that joining an a cappella group will magically solve all your problems, but it definitely fixed most of mine. For those who have never watched Pitch Perfect, a cappella is singing without instrumental accompaniment. Also, go watch Pitch Perfect, because if I don’t end up convincing you to join an a cappella group, this movie just might.
I have always loved singing. Growing up I would sing everywhere I went: the car, in the kitchen and almost anywhere I could be loud without getting in trouble. Coming to college, I quickly realized that singing in public was not as widely received. It’s very difficult to sing freely in the shower when someone is in the shower right next to you. Also, if you have a roommate or a dorm with thin walls (so basically any dorm on campus), it may not be deemed socially acceptable to break out into song whenever you feel like it. Personally, I find these constraints suffocating, but with a cappella I now have a space to sing without judgement.
At the end of every semester, each a cappella group has a concert. All semester, we learn a setlist and practice in preparation for the concert. It is impossible to describe the feeling of having a semester’s worth of hard work pay off and getting to share something you love, like singing, with people you care about. Rehearsal is two hours a day, three times a week and in the weeks just before the concert, rehearsal hours can be up to 16 hours per week. Although it sounds like a lot, the time flies by when you are doing something you are passionate about with others who are equally as passionate. Not only did this give me something to fill my time with, but it was a good distraction from academic stress and missing home. Suddenly, I went from feeling like I didn’t have anyone, to feeling privileged to have a supportive group of girls to surround myself with.
As cheesy as this sounds, the people are truly the best part. I am incredibly lucky to have joined a female a cappella group that grants me a group of supportive, unproblematic friends. It doesn’t matter where we come from or what we are studying; when we are together, the only thing that matters is that we like to sing. My favorite memories with these girls include watching musicals, going out for hibachi, doing Secret Santa and more. Especially in a time when I felt out of place at Cornell, it was reassuring to have an understanding that we were always there for each other. I know it is common for college to be an uncertain or lonely time in someone’s life. This can still be the case for me, but my a cappella group makes me feel less alone and gives me something to always be certain about.
Through the hours we spend singing together, learning choreography and hanging out at socials, we formed a connection and a sense of comfort with one another. I believe that this bond is so deep not just because we spend a lot of time together, but because we’ve learned to trust each other when singing. There is an incredible amount of team work required in making sure your voice does not stick out and that everyone blends together. Every part and every singer is vital to the group. We all sound different and can have unique voices, yet we come together and sound like one. There is a high level of trust that comes with that, because if one person is off, everyone can feel it. Since it is challenging to find people you can trust when you come to a new place, I am grateful that I was able to through a shared love for music.
A cappella has taught me confidence, trust and teamwork. But more notably, it has given me a safe space, a support system and something to look forward to every week. Don’t stop looking for that community that will let you be yourself and explore your passions publicly, and unconditionally. Perhaps that means auditioning for an a cappella group next semester. Just audition: you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.
Jeanelle Wu is a sophomore in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. She can be reached at jkw98@cornell.edu.
