Ladies First prepares for fall show

Ladies First, IU’s only all-female a capella group, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday in the Willkie Center Auditorium.

Advance tickets cost $5, but can also be purchased for $8 at the door.

Formed in 1999 by Straight No Chaser performers Walter Chase and Sarah Gibson, the performers in Ladies First have a number of large-scale shows under their belts.

Last year, they performed alongside Madonna and Cee Lo Green during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

Performer and business manager Melissa Beringer said she remembers what it was like to sing in the performance.

“It was awesome, definitely a highlight in my life,” she said.

Despite the experience of performing, Beringer said she remembers the rehearsals that went into the show the most.

“They were very long and rigorous, but it was amazing,” she said.

Beringer said hours of work are dedicated to rehearsals, whether they were practicing for last year’s Super Bowl or an upcoming performance.

Rehearsals range from nine to 15 hours per week, depending on how close they are to the performance date.

“We rehearse every day up until the show,” she said. “We rehearse until we get it.”

While Ladies First has many performances each year, the show Friday will be one of its two major performances.

This fall concert will feature arrangements from music by Maroon 5, Rihanna, Frank Ocean and the Beatles, among others.

“We wanted to make sure we were catering to a broad spectrum of people of different ages and taste in music,” Beringer said.

Despite pre-show nerves, Beringer said she looks forward to the performance.

She said it will showcase the vast array of musical backgrounds and tastes within the group. 

“I’m very excited for everyone to hear our new sound,” she said.

— Audrey Perkins