Ladies First to sing final concert Saturday

With everything from their song introductions to their planned outfits, Ladies First a cappella group is preparing for its 10th anniversary concert, which will benefit 14-year-old cancer patient Carlos Vidaurri.

THE BENEFIT

Vidaurri, an 8th grader at Jackson Creek Middle School, has bone cancer. Ladies First member and sophomore Jessica Haney said the group decided to use their concert as a fundraiser for the Vidaurri family after hearing about Carlos through Connor McIntyre,
IU Alumni Association director of student programs.

“We wanted to find a way to make our show about more than just music,” freshman and group member Rachel Cerrone said. “We have a lot of ways to show our heart than just through our singing, and this just adds another dynamic to that.”

Cerrone said she believes the benefit concert allows people not only to be entertained by a great show, but also help a family in the community.

Carlos will not be able to attend the concert because he will be recovering from a critical surgery. His siblings, however, will be in attendance.

“We felt it would be a great way to bring the community together for a great cause,” Cerrone said.

THE ANNIVERSARY

Senior Amanda Nianick, the veteran of the group, is now in her eighth semester with Ladies First. Nianick said the group was formed in 1999 after women on campus decided a female a cappella group was needed in addition to the recently formed men’s a cappella group Straight No Chaser.

With help from Walter Shilanskas, director of Straight No Chaser, Ladies First was formed.

“Walter helped them start the group, run auditions and arrange their music,” Nianick said.

After much preparation, the group debuted as the opening act of Straight No Chaser’s spring concert with the song “Don’t Know Nothing.” At the 10th anniversary concert Saturday, Nianick said the women will be joined on stage by all of the Ladies First alumnae in attendance, totaling about 60 singers.

THE GROUP

While some members heard about the group through friends or other singing groups, Nianick and Nottingham have special memories connected with the bathrooms in Ballantine Hall. Both ladies decided to audition for the group after seeing a flyer posted there.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” Nottingham said. “I’m obsessed with singing, so I decided just to go for it.”

Apart from the opportunities to perform contemporary music, Nottingham said the relationships have enlightened her college experience. Chemistry is key for the group’s success, and part of their audition process includes an interview to make sure potential new members click with the group.

“We all have a passion outside of opera and classical music,” Nottingham said.
It is this passion for contemporary music that sets the group apart, Cerrone said.
“Ladies First is so special in that we can sing songs that are out on the radio right now, but still make them our own with our own style,” Cerrone said.

The group sets itself apart through its use of beatboxing, something very uncommon for women a cappella groups, said music director and junior Kerriann Otano. The group is also self-run and members arrange all of the music.

“We have really, really talented girls. We’re able to do interesting things with the music and build some complicated parts,” Otano said.