Singing becomes the music

By Emily Abbate

Every Wednesday evening after a long day of classes at the University of Connecticut Elkin Taveras eagerly climbs the three flights of stairs and strolls down the dimly lit hallways into room 219A of the Music Building.

Inside he finds a sense of family. Taveras is part of the UConn Conn-Men, an all-male a cappella group founded in 1999. And every week, ten guys get together to do something they all love, sing.
The Conn-Men are one of four a cappella groups on the UConn campus. Sharing the scene with Rubyfruit, A Completely Different Note, Extreme Measures and A-Minor, they describe a community of support.
“We all have the same passion,” said sophomore Cameron Haley. “And because of that, we all go to support each other because it’s something we enjoy.”
“I enjoy it because it’s a gateway,” said Taveras. “It’s a passage out from all the stress and monotonous things of college. Yeah, there are issues at times, but what group that is striving to be at top of their game isn’t going to have issues?”
There’s no doubt that they are on their way to the top. Recently, the group gained national recognition as one of the best college performance groups in the country by the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA), a national group of a cappella singers and groups. Songs from the Conn-Men will be featured on the a capella society’s nationally distributed compilation CD, The Best of College A Cappella. CASA, formed to create a community between fans and singers, is also featuring A Completely Different Note on the album.
“I do a lot of other things on campus,” said freshman member Samuel Smith, who attends UConn on a full track scholarship. “But in terms of what I get out of it, nothing holds a candle to this. This is what I really love.”
For the members of the group, being in an a cappella group is much more than just singing. With a repertoire ranging from ‘80s and ‘90s pop-rock to today’s radio favorites, there’s a wide range of songs that bring different memories for each member. In fact, singing the songs has helped form a bond that goes beyond their college years.
“Every time we get someone in the group, the dynamic changes a little - but we stay the same. It’s kind of like a family,” said Taveras. “We’ll get together at a reunion in 20 years, and it’s going to be like seeing my brothers.”
Keene State, Smith College, Boston University and Penn State are some of the upcoming stops on their spring tour. And when they get into the car headed for a new destination, anticipation rises.

“There’s a lot more then just the concerts we perform at,” said Haley. “There’s the after parties and the journey to get there. We’re a tight close knit group of guys because of everything we’ve done together.”
“I wouldn’t trade being in this group and traveling to stay in and walk the rape trail, or to run around campus aimlessly at night,” said Taveras. “Those occasions have their time, and I think that as a member we come in here committed to doing something, and it’s that commitment that makes us who we are.”
For now, the members are working on the newest addition to their repertoire, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” As the low bass tones harmonize with the soprano pitches - a smooth chord emerges from the ten guys in room 219.