Meet Alabaster Blue! They are the first premier co-ed a capella group of UNH. Founded in 1998, without any music besides their voices they can harmonize to pretty much any tune. The members of Alabaster Blue serenade their audiences one after another always dressed to impress. They are one of many a capella groups at UNH with some recent audiences that have included the UNH community and the Governor of New Hampshire! Every winter and spring they hold concerts around campus with an energetic attitude that audiences can’t get enough of. Alabaster Blue sings a wide variety of current songs ranging from “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran to “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars. Each song they perform is filled with amazing solos, beat boxing and a few “snaps” here and there.
Check out AB singing “ET” by Katy Perry!
Check out their website for videos! (http://www.unhalabasterblue.com)
You can also like Alabaster Blue on Facebook and follow them on Twitter! (@AlabasterBlueNH)
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Name: Sydney Skinner
Major: Geography/International Affairs, Minor in Spanish
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I have always been a part of a vocal performance group, and AB attracted me the most with their energy and incredible musical talent.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? I love any song that has a lot of complexity and depth. A good example of one of those songs that we have in our repertoire is Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran. Our arrangement is different from the original in a really creative and amazing way!
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? This past August we sang at a fundraiser for Governor Hassan, and I felt so honored and professional at that event!
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I’ve been in choirs, competitions, musicals, etc. since I can remember!
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? During your audition, show us a song that you care about! We love seeing peoples’ personalities shine through in their musical abilities.
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? The National Anthem at a Red Sox game in Fenway!
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Name: Hannah Marlin
Major: Art Education with a concentration in Photography
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? AB always had the most energy and fun when they were performing and I wanted to be a part of it.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? For genre I love anything with a folk rock feel or a funky beat that incorporate a lot of instruments. My favorite song to sing so far has been In Your Light by Gotye. It’s super funky and full of energy.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? Honestly, nursing homes. The look on the resident’s faces when we sing is priceless. Old people love when young people sing and they’re always so appreciative. It’s adorable. We always leave nursing homes feeling like we really brightened their day.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I was a total theatre kid in high school. I was a lead role in 3 out of 4 of my high schools musicals and I was in an elite choir called the Minnesingers. My sophomore year we went to Austria!
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Be yourself, have fun, don’t be afraid to be a little crazy. We all are.
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? Why, Sara of course! Sara Bareilles is one of our favorite artists. We’ve been known to sing at least on Sara song every year. She’s just an amazing singer/songwriter that we are all a little obsessed with.
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Name: Cory Snyder
Major: Kinesiology: Exercise Science
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I joined AB as a freshman because their sound was unreal. I wasn’t planning on auditioning for any a cappella groups, but after hearing them sing I was so impressed I had to try out!
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? I don’t really have a favorite genre of music or a favorite song, but my favorite song to sing in AB was “You’re an Ocean” by Fastball.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I got to play some awesome roles in high school musicals, and I was in an a capella group for one year in high school, but other than that, I have always been a “shower singer”.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Don’t be afraid to come out and audition and just have a good time. We love when people audition and show us who they really are!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? If I could sing for one person, it would probably be Simon Cowell, just because I am curious about what he would dole out on us.
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Name: Alison Bean
Major: Medical Microbiology
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I joined AB to meet new people and try something new and different that would be a lot of fun!
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? My favorite genre of music to sing is pop and jazz/blues.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? My favorite audience so far was at A Capella Night.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I did not have any experience with singing before I joined AB so I’m learning a lot!
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Tips for new students wanting to join would just be to audition! Just stay relaxed and try your best.
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? If we could sing for anyone I would like to sing for the president at the White House!
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Name: Taylor Morrow
Major: Musical Theater
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I gelled with them immediately. They were all super friendly and fun! Also they blew me away with their performance at the info session.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? I love pop, and show tunes. I love singing lots of different stuff though. One song in particular is Halo by Beyonce.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? I come from a musical theater background so I have really enjoyed performing for audiences on that level. I just generally love singing. Whether that audience is 300 people or 3 people!
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I have been doing community theater for 7 years. I was in choir for all 4 years of high school as well as New Hampshire All State. I also participated in the All Eastern Music Festival my senior year of high school.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Just have fun and give your audition everything you’ve got. Also pick material that really shows you off!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? From what I understand this has already happened but I would LOVE to sing for the Pentatonix.
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Name: Paige Vallie
Major: Athletic Training
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I’ve always wanted to sing in an a capella group and I thought it would be a great opportunity and experience for me.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? Hip-hop
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I was in an auditioned group called Concert Choir all throughout high school and I’ve been in multiple musicals.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Learn to appreciate all types of music. It’s important to have part independence and it’s also important to learn how to blend with other voices. If you want to be in this group it’s necessary to practice, have a lot of energy, and have fun!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? Who I would choose to sing for: Pentatonix because that’s who got me really interested in a cappella and they are a phenomenal singing group!
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Name: Ali Abramson
Major: Undeclared sophomore
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I’ve always loved singing and a cappella seemed like so much fun! I saw some of AB’s YouTube videos when I was in high school and knew I really wanted to be a part of it.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? Anything that you can dance and jam out to! I love singing ET right now because we all have so much fun performing it.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? At UNH’s A Cappella Night. The audience this year and last year have been great because everyone that’s there is there because they enjoying acappella music. All the groups bring great energy and we all have such supportive fans!
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I was in Chamber Singers for all four years of high school and did the musical every year as well. I want to minor in musical theatre here because I truly love it. My favorite roles have been Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie and Eponine in Les Miserables.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Never stop auditioning! Each semester is different and the parts we need are always changing. Everyone is so talented but sometimes we just don’t have a space for them at a specific point in time, so they shouldn’t give up!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? I would love to sing for/with Straight No Chaser, an all male a cappella group- they’re my favorite and so incredibly gifted! I saw them perform in Portland last year and it would be such an incredible experience to be able to sing for them someday!
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Name: Kerri MacLennan
Major: Music Education
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I decided to join Alabaster Blue because I really wanted to be a part of a co-ed a cappella group, and AB’s style and vibes really appealed to me.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? My favorite songs that I’ve ever sung in AB would be “In The Next Room” or “Lost in the World”. I really like singing the upbeat, intense songs, but I also really love toning it down and singing our slower, mellower songs as well.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? My favorite audience has to be the UNH Wildcats of course!
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I was in musicals in high school and have been in Concert Choir and Chamber Singers here at UNH since Freshman year. I have also participated in the UNH Opera program.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Use AB as a way to relax and get your mind away from school work and stress. Also, don’t over-sing and blow out your voice!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? If I could pick anyone for AB to sing for, it would probably be President Mark Huddleston! I’d love for him to see what UNH has to offer in terms of a cappella groups!
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Name: Colin Geaghan
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I had heard all across campus that they were the best and from what I had heard I liked their sound.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? I LOVE to sing jazz.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for: I like to sing for peers/people around my age because I feel like they can relate to both the genres and song choices we make and perform.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I have been singing my whole life via many school choirs, community choirs and other separate solo works.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? If you love to sing and want to get to know an amazing group of people I would say to go for it and put your all into it!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? I would LOVE to sing for Sara Bareilles! She is not only a judge on the sing off, but she is also one of my most favorite musicians!
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Name: Emmy Ham
Major: Acting/International Affairs
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue: AB is a group of fun loving people who care about creating awesome sound and memories. Jamming out with these folks is the best decision I’ve ever made.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? My favorite genre comes from artists ranging from Sara Bareilles to Earth Wind and Fire. AB takes pride in our awesome variety.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? My favorite audience to sing for is our alumni! They are always so enthusiastic about our music and show a lot of love.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I had little chorus experience but was extensively involved in my high school’s theater department (musical theater and straight theater).
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Be confident in your audition! We look for people who like to go out of the box. And have fun!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? Beyonce. No question.
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Name: Greg Daigle
Major: Music education
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I joined AB because I was blown away by their Winter Show my freshman year. One of the RA’s (and fellow music major) in my building was a member of the group and he informed me of the auditions!
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for: Anyone we get to sing for is my favorite audience, even if its just each other.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I’ve played several instruments growing up and have been singing all my life. I’ve been involved with everything from chorus and band, to guitar and composition.
Do you have any tips for students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Try out! And if you don’t get in, try out again!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? If I could pick anyone to sing for it would definitely be the White House because, well, it’s the White House.
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Name: Cameron Graaskamp
Major: Biochemistry
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I went to their information session my first semester as a freshman and I was impressed by their music as well as their energy both performing and interacting with each other.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? My favorite genre of music to sing would have to be classic hits, my favorite being “Carry On” by Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? My favorite audience to sing for is one that shares the same interest in music that we do. It’s awesome to see people give back the energy that we put out during our performances
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? Yes, I sang in chorus all through high school and even made New Hampshire All State chorus my freshman and junior years.
Tips for new students who want to join Alabaster Blue? Be passionate about singing and be enthusiastic!
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you chose? I think we would pick one of our idols or a politician. Maybe Beyonce.
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Name: Mitch Tacy
Major: English
Why did you decide to join Alabaster Blue? I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved in something musical during my college life, and having seen AB perform at my high school, it looked like a great group to join.
What is your favorite genre of music/favorite song to sing? I’m a fan of offbeat pop songs and singer-songwriters. My favorite song to sing is “Steven’s Last Night in Town” by Ben Folds Five.
What has been your favorite audience(s) to sing for? A Cappella Night this year had a great audience, and I really enjoyed the two songs we did for them.
Do you have a past with singing (high school dramas, chorus, or chamber singers)? I’ve performed in several musicals both in and out of high school. I’ve also taken part in my school’s a cappella choir and a couple of student-run music groups as well.
Tips for new students who want to join the Alabaster Blue? Blending is a great quality in a voice. If you’re able to work with other singers to produce a nice sound as well as stand out when you need it, you’ll do pretty well in a group such as AB.
If Alabaster Blue could pick anyone to sing for, who would you choose? It would have to be Ben Folds. Obviously, he knows music, and he has had experience working with a cappella groups, so I would love for us to do a set for him and his band mates, him being an influence and idol of mine. And yes, I would also want a picture with them.