Calling all “Pitch Perfect” fans!

The Penn State Performing Arts Council (PAC) will hold its first-ever a cappella competition at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, in Schwab Auditorium. 

Whether you used to dream of being a Barden Bella or a Treblemaker or you simply love every Pentatonix Christmas album, the PAC a cappella competition aims to scratch that musical itch for you right here in Happy Valley. 

In years past, the performing a cappella groups on campus would spend all semester preparing for their “A Cappella Sampler,” where each group performed two songs. This year, the musical groups decided to spice things up and turn the event into a friendly competition. 

“I think the competition aspect will really catch the eye of Penn Staters,” Director of A Cappella Relations and Shades of Blue member Perry Drugan said. “I think we’ll get a bigger audience, which is just going to raise the energy that much more and make it way more fun than it’s ever been in the past.”

Tone, blend, showmanship, and much more will be graded for each group. The competition will be comprised of all nine a cappella groups on campus, including Shades of Blue, the Penn Harmonics, Fanaa, The Coda Conduct, Savoir Faire, The Statesmen, None of the Above, Blue in the Face, and the Singing Lions. 

Each group will perform two songs of their choice and strive to meet the various criteria to be one of three winners. The primary winning group will receive a cash prize of $1,000 to put toward purchasing arrangements and traveling to gigs.

The competition is free for anyone to attend and enjoy. More information about the a cappella competition or Penn State Performing Arts can be found here.