The Melodores are Vanderbilt’s much-loved male a capella group who make sweet music in their various appearances on campus. Their first performance at the Last Drop Coffee Shop was packed with fans and self-proclaimed “melowhores,” which was no doubt a precursor for the rest of the year. The Melodores then took on several new members from the Class of 2016 who have since provided them with unique talent. Debuting at the Zeta philanthropy event, RaiZing Awareness, was one such freshman, who did a rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up.” So find out about the man behind the music, Nate Banks.
How’d you get involved with music?
I started taking piano lessons when I was six years old. When I was 10 I took up the saxophone, playing in the school band (which I continued to do throughout high school). At age 12 I began taking guitar lessons, and at age 16 I began teaching guitar. I didn’t start singing until I was about 14, and I joined choir as a high school senior. Right now, aside from singing with the Melodores, I’m studying music at Blair, and I also do a lot of songwriting and acoustic covers. I hope to start playing/singing at some local venues soon!
What prompted you to try out for the Melodores?
I wanted to continue singing and meet others who loved to sing. I looked up the Melodores on YouTube and liked what I heard, so I decided to try out!
What’s the best part about being a Melodore?
Just getting to make great music and hang out with such a talented, diverse, and fun group of guys! (getting all the ladies is an added benefit).
What do you think is special about this group?
The fact that the group has achieved its current level after only being around for 4 years indicates to me that we have something amazing going.
Have you been involved with anything like this before?
No. The closest thing would be the A Cappella arrangements we did with my high school’s mixed choir.
What role do the Melodores serve on campus?
We see our role as ever-evolving, raising the bar in entertainment, and rousing a vibrant enjoyment for a cappella and an engaged Vanderbilt student body via the arts!
What’s your relationship like with the the rest of the guys?
I’m new to the group this year, but it’s already a pretty tightly knit group. We bonded a lot on our fall tour, as I’m sure we will on our other trips and competitions. A lot of us hang out outside of rehearsals and performances.
The group is also really funny. If we weren’t a singing group we might have a shot as a B- comedy act. Often in practice, someone will make a joke, and we won’t be able to rehearse for a good two minutes before we can all make ourselves stop laughing.