Redhawk Rhythm: Pitch Perfect comes to life in collegiate acapella scene

Nestled deep within the vibrant campus life of Southeast Missouri State University, a group of 12 diverse individuals has harmonized their vocal talents to form Redhawk Rhythm, SEMO’s very own acapella group.

Composed of students from various grades and career paths ranging from theatre to marine biology, music to political science, Redhawk Rhythm boasts a blend of voices as diverse as their majors.

What sets Redhawk Rhythm apart is not just their vocal abilities but their journey into the world of acapella. None of Redhawk Rhythm’s members had been part of an acapella ensemble before college.

Instead, most, except for a handful of music majors, had only participated in choirs and sought to continue their musical journey for the sheer joy of it.

Acapella, as defined by the group, is a vocal performance done entirely without instruments.

For most people, this type of competition is only ever heard of from the popular movie Pitch Perfect.

While the members describe it as an incredibly fun activity, acapella requires meticulous attention to detail, with each member responsible for mastering their assigned vocal parts to create a seamless blend.

Senior political science major and president of Redhawk Rhythm Ryleigh Baldwin said she is inspired by the constant improvement of the group.

“This is the best this group has ever sounded. To see it evolve and see us get so much better is the thing that has impacted me the most,” Baldwin said.

One of the greatest joys from the year comes from their annual participation in the International Championship of Collegiate Acapella (ICCA), the exact competition that the Barden Bellas compete at in Pitch Perfect.

Preparing for the ICCA is no small feat. Redhawk Rhythm’s members go through extensive practices, honing their technique and perfecting their stage presence.

Redhawk Rhythm thrives on collaboration and collective creativity.

What truly sets Redhawk Rhythm apart from its competitors is their vibrant spirit and the sheer joy they exude together on stage.

Their practices are filled with laughter and camaraderie as they seamlessly blend music with moments of genuine connection and shared experiences.

For Redhawk Rhythm, it’s not just about the music; it’s about the bond they share as a “found family.”

Junior marine biology major and secretary of Redhawk Rhythm Bradley Baker introduced their theme for this year, “Found Family,” which resonates deeply within the group, shaping their song choices and arrangements.

“It’s this whole journey of feeling like you don’t belong, finding your people, and finally being happy.” Baker said.

Each member brings their own definition of “Found Family,” united by the shared experience of acceptance and support within the group.

Junior secondary English education major and Vice President of Redhawk Rhythm Makenna Wessell explained how each person has a slightly different view on the theme, but overall it brings them all together.

“I just think it’s really cool that we can all take our own experiences and put them into our theme. It all circles back to just feeling safe with each other. No matter what we’re going through in our own lives and what that means to us separately, the overall theme means the same to us collectively,” Wessell said.

Their upcoming concert on April 18th promises to be a showcase of their collective talent and unity.

Featuring four group pieces and additional solo performances with a more “karaoke” style, Redhawk Rhythm invites audiences to experience the magic of acapella in the UC Ballroom at 7:30 p.m.

Baldwin said that Redhawk Rhythm was the best part of her week.

“This is the one thing that I’m genuinely excited about in my week… Being here and being with these people makes me excited to show up and be a part of this group. It’s my escape.” Baldwin said.