Nicki and Lisa are the musical directors of the Skidmore Sonnets, an all-female a capella group, and Skidmore’s oldest club. We chatted with them about what it’s like to be part of the Sonnets.
Name: Lisa Moran
Class Year: 2017
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Name: Nicki Bennett
Class Year: 2017
Hometown: New York, NY
HC: Why did you join Sonnets?
Nicki: I’ve been singing since I was really little so continuing into college just seemed natural. I didn’t audition for any groups my first semester so I could focus on classes but after I heard how much fun my friends were having I decided to try out.
Lisa: After doing a gap year I missed singing in a group, especially after growing up in lots of choruses and performing with my twin. Also I thought all the sonnets were so cool and beautiful and I just always wanted to be one when I grew up.
HC: What do you do as musical directors?
Nicki: We lead all the warm ups, conduct the songs, and assign girls to singing parts. We also offer notes on all the songs we practice during rehearsals.
Lisa: Ditto. I also help people learn parts at the piano and write some of our arrangements
HC: What’s your favorite part about being a Sonnet?
Nicki: Definitely the group of girls I get to spend my time with. We have so much fun in and out of rehearsal and with so many talented girls it makes rehearsing fun.
Lisa: Venting to them about my absurd weekends at every Sunday rehearsal… and of course the beautiful music we make. The other day I literally cried/screamed/ripped my shirt off in rehearsal because we sounded SO TIGHT.
HC: Tell us about the Freaky Friday show on Halloween weekend.
Nicki: Every year we do a Mini Jam with the Bandersnatchers, and this year it fell on Halloween. We traded clothes with the Banders so they were wearing our cute summer dresses and we wore their goofy ties! The show is always so much fun and this year didn’t disappoint.
Lisa: I would say it was the most fun show we’ve done so far. The costumes were hilarious but we also sounded really great and had such a great time singing together. The chapel was packed and everyone in the audience seemed to have a good time so it was just great energy!
HC: When’s the next show?
Nicki: We’re singing at the Victorian Street Walk downtown in December, but our next Jam is December 5th in Filene!
Lisa: Also we’re performing at the Stompin’ Soles show on Friday Nov 21!!