Mountain Ayers is Appalachian’s newest a capella group. The all-female group was formed in the fall of 2011 and features 15 singers. Maragret Cozens | The Appalachian

A capella music on Appalachian State University's campus is continuing to grow. Last semester saw the introduction of the Mountain Ayres, a new all-girl group founded by junior technical photography major Emily Smith.

"I wanted to form a new a capella group for two reasons," Smith said. "There's a large amount of girls who want to be in an a capella group. I also think that it's important to be a part of a group that doesn't go along with your major and to foster friendships within that group."

Although the Mountain Ayres is technically an a capella group, it's listed as an on-campus club. This means they have a faculty advisor and are guaranteed practice space in Plemmons Student Union.

"I'm proud to call myself the advisor of this group of ladies," said Sharon Alusow, who teaches in the English department. "These girls organized themselves, found rehearsal space and venues to do performances. I consider it a privilege to support them in their hard work."

The biggest obstacle thus far has been developing a repertoire. Many members don't have extensive musical knowledge or how to arrange songs.

"It's also been hard because we don't have the music catalog that other a cappella groups do," said Jayme Watral, junior psychology major and co-director of the group. "Emily has been writing a large portion of the music on a program called Finale and it can be time-consuming when you have to write for six different voice parts, a soloist, harmony to the soloist and a beat-boxer."

For now, the group is focusing its song choices on popular songs from the past few years. They're currently working on versions of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Norah Jones's "Don't Know Why" and a mashup of the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" and Jason Derulo's "Ridin' Solo."

The Mountain Ayres are only part of a growing trend on college campuses.

"A capella music is a very strong movement across the nation and members tend to be devoted and hardworking to their group," voice professor Mary Gayle Green said. "Members have to learn their music and show up for rehearsals and performances. If not, you let the group down."

At Appalachian, the growth in a capella music can be seen in the amount of groups that have been formed, said Gracie Vaughn, a sophomore music therapy major and member of the a capella group Lost in Sound.

"A capella has really caught fire the past two years since I came to Appalachian," she said. "There were only six a capella groups my freshman year and now there are the groups Enharmonix, Mountain Ayres and Streets Ahead."

Other a capella groups on campus have been supportive of the new additions.

"The a cappella society here at Appalachian is just one big family," said Curtis Moore-Tate, sophomore music education major and member of VoiceMale. "We all love and support each other as best we can."

Vaughan said she is exited to support The Mountain Ayres by attending their concerts.

"I've seen members of the Mountain Ayres attend Lost in Sound's concerts last semester," Vaughan said. "I can't wait to return the support they've shown us."

The Mountain Ayres currently do not have any concerts booked until SoundCheck, a concert featuring different a cappella groups, in March.

Story: KATARINA GRUSS, Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: MARGARET COZENS, Photographer