Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Anything but a Massacre

Chris Bien/The Hoya
Chris Bien/The Hoya

On Friday, Feb. 3, the Georgetown Chimes kicked off the39th annual Cherry Tree Massacre. Since its inception in 1974, the event has grown to become the largest a cappella festival of its kind on the East Coast and one of Georgetown’s most beloved traditions. Every February, the Chimes host Georgetown’s favorite a cappella groups as well as many others from across the country. This year’s event, spread over four shows, will feature groups such as the GraceNotes, Saxatones and Phantoms, as well as groups from other East Coast universities, including Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova.

The Chimes began the second show of this year’s Cherry Tree Massacre with a strong and light-hearted opening performance that included a song addressed to Georgetown’s four undergraduate schools. The group poked fun at the stereotypes of the students from each of them, from the SFS”nerd” to the MSB “bro” to the student in the College who changes his major twice a week, and they conveniently forgot to address the NHS until they had nearly finished.

After the host group’s cheeky introduction, the GraceNotes performed. This year, the university’s only all-female a cappella group — and co-host of Georgetown’s fall a cappella concert, the D.C. A Cappella Festival — is headed by Victoria Corless (COL ’13), who began the group’s performance with a mellow rendition of Rihanna’s “We Found Love.” Corless’ performance was followed by a soulful “Come Round Soon” by Faith Otey (COL ’15) and a comical take on TLC’s 1999 hit “No Scrubs” by Diana Kolar (MSB ’12).

Georgetown’s premiere all-female a cappella group was then followed by its favorite all-male group, the Capitol G’s, whose performance included solos from Marco Mocchetti (MSB ’12), Jack Hale (COL ’11) and Juan Ricafort (SFS ’11),  as well as a hysterical tribute to the underappreciated women of America with a medley of MIKA’s “Big Girl (You are Beautiful),” Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls,” Bubba Sparxxx’s “Miss New Booty” and “Baby Got Back.” The Capitol G’s website touts that the group’s recipe for a successful performance includes “powerful vocals, engaging stage presence, world-renowned dance moves, and a touch of college humor.” None of these ingredients was in short supply during the group’s time onstage, and each contributed to a riotous performance.

The Saxatones, Georgetown’s “newest and hottest” co-ed a cappella group, then took the stage with spirited renditions of contemporary hit songs such as David Guetta’s “Without You” — performed by Ryan Fuchs (COL ’12) and Luke Connor (MSB ’12)  — and Paramore’s “Misery Business,” sung by Megan Hickey (COL ’12). The standout moment in the group’s performance was undoubtedly Caroline Holkeboer’s (COL ’12) rendition of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young,” which she delivered with earnest enthusiasm and emotion that single-handedly stole the show.

Following the Saxatones’ strong performance, the GW Vibes then tackled Mumford & Sons’ “Awake My Soul.” The GW Vibes were the only visiting a cappella group that performed at the Feb. 4 show; however, upcoming groups such as the Johns Hopkins Octopodes and the UNC Loreleis will be performing at the Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 shows, respectively.

Finally, The Chimes returned to the stage to conclude the show with a farewell song delivered by the group’s six senior members — Matthew Gorey (COL ’12), Tony Freeman (SFS ’12), Alex Newton (SFS ’12), Garrett Schuman (COL ’12), Justin McCarthy (COL ’12) and Brian White (MSB ’12) — as well as a spirited performance of Georgetown’s fight song for which the group invited alumni in the audience to join them onstage.

Two shows will take place in the coming weeks, the first on Feb. 11 and the second on Feb. 25. Tickets are $10 if purchased in Red Square or $12 if purchased either online at georgetownchimes.org/cherry-tree-massacre/ or at the door. Cherry Tree Massacre is one of Georgetown’s most anticipated events of the year for a reason, so come take part in this nearly 40-year-old campus tradition.

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