In the News: Mezzo heads to international contest

Students in Newberg High School's a cappella choir are on their way to compete in the International Championship of High School A Cappella.

The group reached the competition in its fourth year after beating out teams from Oregon, California and Wyoming in a regional competition.

"We went into it knowing that we were going to do our best and going to be happy doing our best," said Kaytlin Ebora, a senior. "And our best just happened to be winning."

Watching the students rehearse, their passion for singing shines through in their performance.

"There really are no words to describe kind of what goes on up there when you're just around 26 of your closest friends, doing what you love to do," said Ebora.

Students say they enjoy singing a cappella, in part, because they are singing contemporary music. Many also enjoy the challenge of singing and dancing without the help of musical accompaniment.

"It's simply voices, and we have a vocal percussionist who imitates drums," said Mikaela Hines.

"You have to not only make yourself sound like the instruments, you have to be able to hold the key and hold the pitch without anything else but your voice," said Ryan Sherrard. "And then we're doing it with the choreo."

Many of the arrangements and choreography are put together by teacher Jason Taylor, who admits he isn't the most graceful dancer.

"When they're on their game, it makes me feel good at a teacher," said Taylor. "Unlike the other choirs, I'm not standing up there, waving my arms. I'm sitting like a coach on the sidelines going, ‘Oh my gosh, here we go.' And anything that they do on stage, that's what they do on stage."

Taylor, who founded the men's a cappella group at Oregon State University, also helped start the a cappella group at Wilsonville High School.

Mezzo Devotion's students are trying to raise $30,000 to pay for their trip to New York City, where the competition takes place April 27.

If you're interested in donating, contact the Newberg School District's bookkeeping department at 503-554-5000.

Laura Rillos, KPTV
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