With a killer combination of vocal talent, charisma, and good looks, the men of Bruin Harmony, UCLA’s all-male a capella group, have sang their way into the hearts of Bruinettes across campus. David Crane, a third year musical theater major and Bruin Harmony’s Business Manager, met with Her Campus to give us the inside scoop on being a member of what the Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB) is calling “the real deal.”
Her Campus: How long have you been singing?
David Crane: I’ve always loved to sing, ever since I was a kid, but I officially started taking lessons and working on it as a craft since the 7th grade. I auditioned for Bruin Harmony at the end of my freshmen year, officially becoming a member of the group as a sophomore.
HC:Why did you decide to join Bruin Harmony?
DC:I really didn’t know about Bruin Harmony until I watched them compete at Spring Sing my freshman year. They were all dressed in camouflage and sang “They Shall Be Free.” It was a really great performance and I remember thinking, “these guys are cool.” Also, my good friend Nick was a part of it and he encouraged me to audition, so I did!
HC: What’s your favorite part about being in an a capella group?
DC: Singing with Bruin Harmony has taught me to be comfortable performing in any setting. With Bruin Harmony, sometimes we’re performing in places like sorority houses, where space is limited and the acoustic setting is less than ideal. Being able to perform in any situation is really valuable! The attention we get from the ladies is also a plus.
HC: You guys just put on a great Fall Quarter Concert last week. What else has BH been up to?
DC: We just released our first album ever, No More Bets, which was huge. It’s now available on iTunes and on our website, Bruinharmony.com. We’re also getting ready to host the UCLA A Capella Festival. It’s an event that Bruin Harmony started four years ago, and it’s now grown to be the largest a capella festival in Southern California. Other than that, we practice three times a week and we perform once a week, on average.
HC: Do you have any advice for someone who’s thinking about joining an a capella group?
DC. Make sure to do some research and audition for as many as you can! There are over 12 a capella groups on campus, making it hard to choose, but there’s no harm in auditioning. Just go for it. Also, do it because you enjoy it, not for the prestige, awards, or recognition. Some guys audition on a whim and later realize what a huge time commitment it is. Don’t expect it to be a cakewalk. It’s a lot of work but it really is an awesome thing to get involved in!