Spring Break
The Voices of Brandeis
by Sarah Bayer
Assistant Arts Editor
Arts | 3/11/08
Posted online at 2:21 AM EST on 3/11/08
However, the cost of performing is a source of contention on the a cappella scene. "It would be nice to get funded so that we don't have to pay $50 to sing," Faber remarks, referring to Cholmondeley's coffeehouse fee. Because their audition process is exclusive, Brandeis a cappella groups don't qualify for charters or Finance Board funding to support their performances. They are, however, required to file their accounts with the Student Union. Matzner says the Student Union accounts are "much more organized and much more safe but also can be more of a hassle."
"It costs money to put on performances for the community," Newman argues, but at the same time "our a cappella groups are selling the University" by making it more attractive to applicants with an interest in music. Mulhern adds that Brandeis a cappella groups often absorb the cost of hosting outside a cappella groups that perform here. She points out that over 100 Brandeis students are involved in a cappella and that three new groups have formed in the last five years, suggesting that few, if any, aspiring singers are truly excluded.
As part of Hillel, Manginah and JFA are able to receive funding up front for their ventures, which members then pay back. By performing more shows off-campus at paying gigs like rabbinical installations and bar mitzvahs, these two groups have fewer money complaints. "We're lucky to have Hillel backing us," Akiva Fishman '09 says. "Hillel trusts us to pay them back and we've been able to do that in the past." In return, Manginah and JFA sing for other Hillel groups and give albums to Hillel donors.
Meanwhile, Matzner says Starving Artists have been "finding ways to operate on as little money as possible," but he still pays for many of their expenses out of pocket, recouping the money after paying gigs. TCFI sells food at its semester shows and may initiate a singing telegram program next year to raise funds. "A lot of groups end up borrowing from their members," says Winer. "It's kind of sad that a cappella groups have to focus on fundraising when they're trying to put out albums."
"It costs money to put on performances for the community," Newman argues, but at the same time "our a cappella groups are selling the University" by making it more attractive to applicants with an interest in music. Mulhern adds that Brandeis a cappella groups often absorb the cost of hosting outside a cappella groups that perform here. She points out that over 100 Brandeis students are involved in a cappella and that three new groups have formed in the last five years, suggesting that few, if any, aspiring singers are truly excluded.
As part of Hillel, Manginah and JFA are able to receive funding up front for their ventures, which members then pay back. By performing more shows off-campus at paying gigs like rabbinical installations and bar mitzvahs, these two groups have fewer money complaints. "We're lucky to have Hillel backing us," Akiva Fishman '09 says. "Hillel trusts us to pay them back and we've been able to do that in the past." In return, Manginah and JFA sing for other Hillel groups and give albums to Hillel donors.
Meanwhile, Matzner says Starving Artists have been "finding ways to operate on as little money as possible," but he still pays for many of their expenses out of pocket, recouping the money after paying gigs. TCFI sells food at its semester shows and may initiate a singing telegram program next year to raise funds. "A lot of groups end up borrowing from their members," says Winer. "It's kind of sad that a cappella groups have to focus on fundraising when they're trying to put out albums."
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