Whether through a festival like this weekend’s D.C. A Cappella Fest, or through chance encounters with one of campus’ four a cappella groups performing outside the library or at Leo’s, few Hoyas leave the Hilltop without having some exposure to the sounds and spirit of a cappella music.

The timing of this year’s DCAF — with its opening show on the night of Homecoming — underscored its place, and that of college a cappella, among Georgetown’s traditions. DCAF accordingly lived up to its fame and proved to be a crowd-pleasing showcase of impressive, talented students. Yet somehow, no group in particular stood out and no one performance awed the crowd. One left the show feeling that his evening was well spent, yet lacking a sense of awestruck amazement.

The GraceNotes, who co-hosted the show with the Georgetown Phantoms, opened to cheers of an enthusiastic crowd of students, alums and a few parents. The GraceNotes’ sultry solos in the “Goldfinger†theme gave way to throbbing build-up and decrescendo sequences when Georgetown co-ed group Superfood took the stage and performed Bush’s “Come Down.â€

The mood of the show was playfully humorous in the beginning, with Superfood’s rendition of SNAKES ON A PLANE theme “Bring It.†Though the strained singing could have been improved in this song and it was no real surprise that a stuffed cobra wound up around the lead singer’s neck, this number spurred much laughter.

Although both of the opening groups’ voices and sound were impeccably polished and coordinated, the same can’t be said for their dress and stage presence. The GraceNotes’ outfits lacked uniformity and their attempts at moving to the rhythm of the music looked slipshod. Members of Superfood wore an eclectic mix of fashions, with individual outfits ranging from a pink polo to Western-inspired sundresses to ’80s-inspired prints.

The all-male Hamilton Buffers, one of the show’s two visiting groups and clad in matching jackets, cleared up the costume clash and continued with lighthearted songs. Although they opened with the fight song of Hamilton College, the crowd soon warmed up to them, with their renditions of “I’ll Make Love to You†and “Scarborough Fair†as particular hits.

The mood of the show grew more mature towards the end, as co-ed group the Georgetown Phantoms performed Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars,†with lead singer Michael Maliakel (COL ’10) looking especially pensive and mournful, and Phantom Holly Bryce (COL ’09) effectively channeling Fiona Apple for her rendition of “Criminal.â€

The University of Maryland (College Park) Generics, the second visiting group of the night, proved to have the most creative and well-coordinated choreography to match their equally polished sound.

Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song,†the GraceNotes’ brooding song whose themes touched on war and global destruction, served to close DCAF on a somber note. The show’s length of over two hours also meant some audience members unfortunately left before hearing the GraceNotes’ final songs.

As with any tradition, there’s a fine line between offering an experience all can revel in and unnecessary self-ingratiation.

The GraceNotes’ odd and not overly endearing remix sung to welcome the freshman “BabyNotes†fell into the latter category, as did the excessive (and unfunny) antics by members of the Corp Board who em-ceed between acts.

Perhaps the song selection left a little to be desired, as many of the songs were not particularly engaging, or perhaps the increasing seriousness of the theme caught audience members off guard. The transition from stuffed snakes to songs about love, loss and the sad state of the world in the same two and a half hours could have been better planned.

DCAF ultimately pleased the crowd, however, and remains a great show and a staple of Georgetown’s fall entertainment offerings. Those looking to hear the excellent work and talent of other students and those seeking a pleasant evening of harmony can’t go wrong with this Georgetown tradition.

A second DCAF will take place this Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Gaston Hall. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for the general public and can be purchased in Red Square all week.