Want to know an instant way to make any Vandy girl swoon? Get about 12 cute guys dressed in black blazers and make them sing popular music in intricate 5-part harmonies. Yes, we’re talking about the Melodores, Vanderbilt’s very own a cappella powerhouse/boy band 2.0.
Photo Credit: Shane Stever
Pictured (left to right):
Back row: Brandon Goodman, Richard Whalen, Turi Claussel, Ted Moock, Will Timbers.
Middle row: Matthew Thompson, Justin Kenney, Xavier Waller, Augie Phillips
Front row: Nathan Hall, Seth Johnson, Tyler Verdell
The Melodores were founded in 2009 by a group of four guys who really just loved to make music. They have since expanded to having 12 full-time members. In 2011, they were selected as the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Wildcard Champions and went on to compete in the ICCA Finals, where they finished third. They have also received the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for the Best Classical Song (“Sleep” by Eric Whitacre, which is featured on their album Rain Check). Most importantly though, they have received the love and support of Vanderbilt students everywhere. Vandy guys love the unique mash-ups, like when the boys mixed Neon Trees’ “Animal” with the Halo theme. Vandy girls (well, all girls really) just love the concept of twelve cute guys singing harmonies and doing synchronized choreography.
The Melodores will all testify to the fact that being a part of this group comes with a lifestyle. The boys practice at least three times a week for several hours at a time, and they perform everywhere from country clubs in Naples, Florida, to big-little reveals at Vandy sorority houses on a weekly basis. The result of all this quality time together is a brotherhood unlike any other: they Melo-eat, Melo-sleep, Melo-study, and even Melo-make YouTube vids together (the famous “Sh*t Sorority Girls” video was created by three Melodore alums, who all live together in what is known as the “MeloHouse”).
The boys recently traveled to Athens, Georgia to compete in the ICCA Quarter-Finals, where they placed second only to the home team, the UGA Accidentals. This success means that they will proudly represent our school in the Semi-Finals on March 17, which will be held in our Martha Rivers Ingram Center for the Performing Arts at Blair. Get your tickets now to see the top a cappella groups in the region compete for a spot in the ICCA Finals in NYC. (Tickets are on sale at the Sarratt Ticket Office for $15).
Photo credit: Shane Stever
The boys were kind enough to let me ask them a few questions about life, love, and their short trip to fame.
HerCampus: You guys just got back from Quarterfinals, where you were defending your first place title from last year. Brandon, let’s start with you. How has the competition changed since last year?
Brandon: People are stepping up their game. Plain and simple. Because shows like Glee and The Sing Off are getting some mainstream attention, its becoming cool to be in a cappella. ICCAs is a way to cement yourself within the ranks of the a cappella hierarchy so there is a bit more at stake now.
HC: The A Cappella Blog placed you guys in the top 10 a cappella groups in the country this year, even saying that your sound and style would be imitated for years to come. Seth and Justin, you guys are musical directors, so you do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work in selecting music and choreography. What do you think sets you apart from other groups?
Seth: I believe that we strive to achieve an edge that not only forces us to take risks but also sometimes makes audiences uncomfortable, because those risks may entail breaking normal performance practices.
Justin: The Melodores are always looking for new ways to innovate contemporary a cappella. Last year, for example, we proved that a cappella groups could pull off hip-hop and not sound laughable!
HC: You guys have a reputation of being total ladies’ men. Is this accurate?
Matthew: I guess it would be fair to say that we have some sort of magnetic qualities towards women, especially seeing as at least two thirds of the Melodores have girlfriends. The magnetic attraction is so strong that they stick for good!
Nathan: I honestly can’t think of an answer that’s suitably funny here, because this deserves a great joke. Maybe “Did a Melodore tell you that?”
Brandon: Haha. I haven’t heard that reputation anywhere, and if you could make sure my girlfriend doesn’t hear it either, I guess it’s okay.
HC: What is your favorite Melodore memory?
Tyler: I remember the 100-year flood in May 2010 when the Melodores recorded our first album, “Rain Check.” We were at Dark Horse Studios in Franklin, and the floodwaters stranded us there for the whole weekend. So we camped out in this multi-million-dollar recording studio for three days, and it was so legit. We recorded all day and all night, and we were able to just hang out and try to survive on the supply of crackers and water in the studio. I’ll never forget that weekend.
Justin: We recently took a trip to Naples, Florida to sing for some Vandy Alums at a country club. I got to spend two, sunny days on a beach, relaxing in pools, singing and chilling with my best friends. What could be better?
Matthew: Oh man this is a hard one, there are so many…
One of my favorites so far was the whole experience last spring of going to New York City and competing in the ICCA finals. So many parts of that trip were amazing and will stay in my memory forever… Missing my flight that morning to finally arriving that afternoon at the awe-inspiring Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall. The feeling of pure excitement as we performed in front of a sold-out audience. The simultaneous feelings of first disbelief, then joy, pride, and fulfillment when we placed 3rd in the world. The rush I felt afterwards that lasted the entire night, celebrating in the Big Apple. The impromptu performance the next day for the enthralled crowd at Central Park… The greatest part of it all, however, was that all that time was spent with a group of guys I can truly call some of my best friends.
HC: If you could hear any song done a cappella, what would it be?
Tyler: Probably the i-Carly theme song, “Leave it All to Me”.
Nathan: This one was really hard! I think So Long by Ingrid Michaelson would be cool.
Justin: “When She Loved Me” (Jesse’s song on Toy Story 2). I started an arrangement last year, but I haven’t finished it yet. Hopefully we’ll perform it soon!
Seth: Brahms’ 1st Symphony
HC: Who is the biggest diva of the group?
Brandon: Oh gosh. Hard question. I think we are all divas in our own way. Except for Tyler Verdell- that kid is a saint.
Nathan: Seth? Justin? It’s always those music majors.
Justin: Seth Johnson, no question :)
Seth: Matthew.
Matthew: Gotta hand it to my main man TC. Soooo blackout omigawd….
You guys hold auditions every semester but rarely add new members. What does it take to be a Melodore?
Brandon: It takes a wide variety of things. For us it’s just as much about the music as it is about the camaraderie. Being able to fit in socially as well as musically is a huge task. Not to mention things like stage presence and other extra-musical factors. Picking new members can be daunting some times…
Tyler: It takes talent, for sure. But it also takes confidence, charisma, originality, and cohesiveness with the group. We want our members to be passionate about the music, but we also look for a good fit in our group. We spend a ridiculous amount of time together, so it’s really important that we get along.
And finally, the question on every girl’s mind: What does it take to be a Melo’s girl?
Justin: A big heart and a lot of understanding. We are all (I like to think) really loving, great guys. The group, however, is no easy walk in the park. We dedicate many hours to practicing and performing. I guess any “Melogirl” should be supportive and understanding of the massive time commitment it takes to be a Melodore.
Seth: It takes flexibility and an understanding when we are on the road. Life can be tough. Loving a music man ain’t always what it’s supposed to be. She’s just gotta be a good girl that loves her some singin’!