Dicks and Janes
Encyclopedia
Dicks and Janes is one of the 12 officially recognized a cappella
groups of the University of Michigan
, according to the Michigan A Cappella Council. Created in 1998, the group continues to perform a cappella music in Ann Arbor, MI and around the country, as well as in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
. The group is notable for being featured on three Best of Collegiate A Cappella recordings, as well as hosting Acappellooza, a well-known annual invitational concert. The group is coed and entirely self-run and self-funded.
student named Marc Smollin decided to form an a cappella group. His goal was to have a musical ensemble that not only would perform contemporary a cappella, but also would explore musical tastes that were less mainstream at the University of Michigan, such as blues
and vocal jazz
. With the help of two producers, Michael Newberry and Heidi J. Powers, and the musical advice of friend Jessica Murphy, he auditioned over 100 U-M students for what was then an unknown and unnamed group. One month later, the name "Rollicking Crew" was chosen, with intentions of being reflective of the UM spirit. This name, however, failed to exemplify the uniqueness and diversity the group upheld. Hence, a new name, "Dicks and Janes," was chosen in August 1998.
Since October 1999, Dicks and Janes have hosted "Acappellooza", an a cappella invitational concert that brings other collegiate a cappella
groups from across the country to Ann Arbor to perform. In addition to Acappellooza, Dicks and Janes also puts on a concert during each semester, and goes on tour during each spring break. Past tours have taken them to the East Coast (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011), California (2002), and the Southeast (2006, 2007, 2010). They have performed with and remained close contacts with many groups across the country. Dicks and Janes has also had the privilege to sing with professional a cappella groups such as Rockapella
(2002), Blue Jupiter
(2005), and ElmoTHUMM (2005). In addition, Dicks and Janes also performs in many venues around Ann Arbor, including nursing homes, corporate events, Welcome Week events for the University of Michigan, sporting events, and multiple other campus functions.
(ICCA). At the 2004 competition, they also walked away with awards for Outstanding Soloist (Adam Wachter), Outstanding Arrangement (Christy Lombardi), and Outstanding Vocal Percussion
(Vivek Natarajan). In 2006, they also received Outstanding Soloist (Ben Henri), and Outstanding Arrangement (Christy Lombardi). In 2007 Mike Rowan took the award for Outstanding Arrangement. Antwaun Stanley receiving Outstanding Soloist in 2006 and 2008 and Suresh Mohan taking Outstanding Vocal Percussion in 2007. Dicks and Janes has advanced to the Semifinals for the past four years.
The group is governed by a constitution, which was drawn up by the founding members. The constitution clearly legislates the processes of leadership within the group, as well as all policies of the group. The constitution spells out the leadership as such:
Leadership positions are elected by the group at the Annual meeting, at the end of each school year.
, one very common status symbol among groups is to have a track featured on the annual Best of Collegiate A Cappella compilation albums. Dicks and Janes has received three such honors:
, a broadway actress.
"Show-N-Tell" and "See Dick. See Jane. CD." have both been rated by the The Recorded A Cappella Ratings Board.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
groups of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, according to the Michigan A Cappella Council. Created in 1998, the group continues to perform a cappella music in Ann Arbor, MI and around the country, as well as in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, originally the National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella , is an international competition that attracts hundreds of college a cappella groups each year...
. The group is notable for being featured on three Best of Collegiate A Cappella recordings, as well as hosting Acappellooza, a well-known annual invitational concert. The group is coed and entirely self-run and self-funded.
History
In the Spring of 1998, a musical theatreMusical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
student named Marc Smollin decided to form an a cappella group. His goal was to have a musical ensemble that not only would perform contemporary a cappella, but also would explore musical tastes that were less mainstream at the University of Michigan, such as blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and vocal jazz
Vocal jazz
Jazz singing can be defined by the instrumental approach to the voice, where the singer can match the instruments in their stylistic approach to the lyrics, improvised or otherwise, or through scat singing; that is, the use of nonsensical meaningless non-morphemic syllables to imitate the sound of...
. With the help of two producers, Michael Newberry and Heidi J. Powers, and the musical advice of friend Jessica Murphy, he auditioned over 100 U-M students for what was then an unknown and unnamed group. One month later, the name "Rollicking Crew" was chosen, with intentions of being reflective of the UM spirit. This name, however, failed to exemplify the uniqueness and diversity the group upheld. Hence, a new name, "Dicks and Janes," was chosen in August 1998.
Since October 1999, Dicks and Janes have hosted "Acappellooza", an a cappella invitational concert that brings other collegiate a cappella
Collegiate a cappella
Collegiate a cappella ensembles are student-run and -directed singing groups that perform entirely without instruments. Such groups can be found at many colleges and universities in the United States, and increasingly worldwide....
groups from across the country to Ann Arbor to perform. In addition to Acappellooza, Dicks and Janes also puts on a concert during each semester, and goes on tour during each spring break. Past tours have taken them to the East Coast (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011), California (2002), and the Southeast (2006, 2007, 2010). They have performed with and remained close contacts with many groups across the country. Dicks and Janes has also had the privilege to sing with professional a cappella groups such as Rockapella
Rockapella
Rockapella is an American a cappella musical group formed in 1986 in New York City. Their name is derived from the words "rock" and "a cappella". They sing original vocal music and a cappella covers of pop and rock songs; over time, their sound has evolved from high-energy pop and world music...
(2002), Blue Jupiter
Blue Jupiter
Blue Jupiter is an a cappella pop-funk singing group.Formed in Late 2001, Blue Jupiter is known for their delivery given in their live shows. Blue Jupiter sings covers and renditions of songs. Most of their songs are a cappella, but sometimes acoustic instruments have small and light...
(2005), and ElmoTHUMM (2005). In addition, Dicks and Janes also performs in many venues around Ann Arbor, including nursing homes, corporate events, Welcome Week events for the University of Michigan, sporting events, and multiple other campus functions.
International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
For the past eight years, Dicks and Janes has advanced to the quarterfinals of the International Championship of Collegiate A CappellaInternational Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, originally the National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella , is an international competition that attracts hundreds of college a cappella groups each year...
(ICCA). At the 2004 competition, they also walked away with awards for Outstanding Soloist (Adam Wachter), Outstanding Arrangement (Christy Lombardi), and Outstanding Vocal Percussion
Vocal percussion
Vocal percussion is the art of creating sounds with one's mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo.-In Western music:...
(Vivek Natarajan). In 2006, they also received Outstanding Soloist (Ben Henri), and Outstanding Arrangement (Christy Lombardi). In 2007 Mike Rowan took the award for Outstanding Arrangement. Antwaun Stanley receiving Outstanding Soloist in 2006 and 2008 and Suresh Mohan taking Outstanding Vocal Percussion in 2007. Dicks and Janes has advanced to the Semifinals for the past four years.
Members
The members of Dicks and Janes are selected through a closed audition process. Once a member is selected by the group, the member may choose to accept or decline membership. The term of a member lasts as long as they are a student at the University, or until they leave the group voluntarily.The group is governed by a constitution, which was drawn up by the founding members. The constitution clearly legislates the processes of leadership within the group, as well as all policies of the group. The constitution spells out the leadership as such:
- Music Director -Runs all rehearsals, makes any decisions regarding the music or repertoire of the group.
- President - Serves as the official representative of the group, resolves any internal disputes.
- Business Manager - manages all public functions of the group, including publicity, concert booking, and financial records.
- Secretary - Maintains attendance records, and sees to other organizational duties when necessary.
Leadership positions are elected by the group at the Annual meeting, at the end of each school year.
BOCA Compilation Albums
In the world of Collegiate A CappellaCollegiate a cappella
Collegiate a cappella ensembles are student-run and -directed singing groups that perform entirely without instruments. Such groups can be found at many colleges and universities in the United States, and increasingly worldwide....
, one very common status symbol among groups is to have a track featured on the annual Best of Collegiate A Cappella compilation albums. Dicks and Janes has received three such honors:
- Everything You Want - Featured on BOCA 2002
- Tonight and the Rest of my Life - Featured on BOCA 2003
- Porcelain - featured on BOCA 2004
Notable alumni
There are several notable alumni of Dicks and Janes, including Kate ReindersKate Reinders
Kate Reinders is an American musical theatre actress, who has performed as lead and understudy in several Broadway shows. Reinders was born in Seattle, Washington, but raised in Muskegon, Michigan...
, a broadway actress.
Albums
Dicks and Janes has recorded 3 studio albums:| Album Title | Year | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| Show-N-Tell | 2002 | 12 |
| See Dick. See Jane. CD. | 2005 | 11 |
| Acousticophilia | 2009 | 11 |
"Show-N-Tell" and "See Dick. See Jane. CD." have both been rated by the The Recorded A Cappella Ratings Board.