USC’s all-female group brings charm, excitement to regional competition
Their reputation also grew around the Southeast this weekend, as The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella South Region Semifinal Competition came to USC's Booker T. Washington Auditorium Saturday night.
This was the first time this event had been held in Columbia. But more importantly, this was the first time in history, The Cocktails, made it this far through the competition. The group has practiced and planned for this event since placing first in the quarterfinal competition in January.
"We worked so hard to get to where we are today, so it's a wonderful experience to see it all pay off and make history since this is the farthest we've made it," said Allie Siville, a second-year finance student.
Known as "all the party, none of the hangover," the all-female group did not win the regional contest. But their performance didn't disappoint, either.
Wearing classy black blazers they later took off to reveal stylish garnet shirts, these ladies let loose on stage and introduced the rest of the southern region to the true energetic spirit that comes with being a Gamecock. Highlights of their performance included an emotion-packed version of Rihanna's "Russian Roulette," and a playful remake of Iyaz's "Replay," both receiving a rumble of applause.
The Cocktails exuded charm and confidence not only in hosting the event, but in their own performance as well.
"It's an incredible experience because we get to share this huge competition with our fellow students," Siville said before the competition, "It's definitely the biggest performance we've ever had, so it's very exciting and new, a little bit stressful, but we're prepared and ready to go."
The competitors all seemed to be in tune with the same level of intensity, each presenting a new level of uniqueness and style. Songs performed include hits from The Beatles, 'N Sync, Katy Perry, and each was accompanied by incredible choreography to complement the singing.
Each group was critiqued on vocal performance, visual performance and subjective rank by five judges.
After the last a cappella performance, the crowd was entertained with USC's own Ned Durrett and the Kindly Gents while judges deliberated on the results.
A familiar face to many students, Durrett has been a favorite in the USC Idol competition and other events around campus. Performing "Ladybug," "Closer," "All is Bright" and "Alright Already," the Avett Brothers-style group presented themselves as suspender wearing, mandolin playing, vocally talented gents.
After much deliberating, the judges finally announced their decision. First place went to the Acabelles of Florida State University, a soulful group of girls dressed in black and pink converses.
Second and third went to The Melodores of Vanderbilt University and All Night Yahtzee, also from Florida State. The Acabelles will compete in the finals in New York City in April.
Other groups that made it to this round were N.C. State's Accappology, UNC-Chapel Hill's The Lorelai's, John Hopkins University's The Octopades, and University of Maryland's Faux Paz.