Shades of Blue A Cappella enters a crazy season

by Callene Laslo Staff Writer

Shades of Blue is a contemporary a cappella group here at Bradley High School. They are known for releasing music on all platforms, and performing in many places around the country. This year they have been off to a very strong start, being on the go with rehearsals and learning many pieces of music in the first semester of this school year. With four remaining months of school left, Shades has so many amazing things coming soon!

ACDA PERFORMANCE

On February 28th, Shades of Blue will make an appearance at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati Ohio. This is a conference for all of the Choral Directors around the country and choirs will also be featured at this event. This is a huge step for Shades of Blue because sometimes temporary a cappella receives less appreciation than other music because a cappella only uses voices and no instruments. They are the first ever a cappella group to make an appearance at this conference. They are performing a 6 song set (Soloists Featured: Quinn Mazon (10), Callene Laslo (10), Makenna Sandy (11), Skylar Zakrzewski (12), Jared Morisue-Lesser (11), and Jay Phillips (12)). This formal event is something this group has been working on since September and they are ready to showcase their amazing work. After many microphone rehearsals and choreography runs they will take off to Cincinnati for their big debut this month!

Shades of Blue rehearses their first full run of the ACDA set. Photo by Mr.Witt.

ICHSA

On March 4th (just a week after ACDA), at Hilliard Bradley (their very own stage) they will be competing in the Quarterfinal for best in high school a cappella. They haven’t competed in four years so they are excited to see what’s in store for them during this competition. Junior Sofia Italiano says, “This being my second year in shades I’ve never competed before, but I’m so excited!”. Everyone in the group this year is super new to competing but they are ready to prove what they have. There are 3 rounds shades of blue can reach depending on judging. The first round is at Bradley, second round is in Harrisburg Ohio, and if they continue, the final round in April is in New York City! For their competition set they will perform 3 songs (Soloists Featured: Makenna Sandy (11), Skylar Zakrzewski (12), Jared Morisue-Lesser (11), and Jay Phillips (12)). All 3 songs are fully choreographed and the group hopes to convey a story through the timed set of 10 minutes. Senior Kyle Metzler says, “I love the story the set tells”. Every Monday night and class rehearsal leading up to this is filled with choreo and lots of song connection activities to enhance their performance. They have set very big goals for themselves and have been working so hard to reach them. They would love all of the support they can get especially in the first round here at Bradley High School!

Shades of Blue in a workshop with one of their arrangers Rob Dietz. Photo by Mr.Witt.

“BRIGHTER DAYS” ALBUM RELEASE

After tons of music cleaning and preparation, Shades of Blue got the chance to create their first full length recorded album. Each of the 17 members went in each day of the first semester to record 5 new songs that will be released in March! There will also be some singles from last year featured on this album as well. Making this album is such a timely process so this is something that means a lot to this group. Being in the recording studio is such an amazing experience all of them got to experience and they can’t wait to share such a meaningful project with the world. Hoping to achieve awards with their work and getting lots of streams is some of their big goals for the “Brighter Days” Album. On March 13th Shades of Blue is having a red carpet album release party to celebrate their big accomplishments with family and each other. Jared Morisue-Lesser (11) says, “I’m so excited for the little red carpet moment and showing everyone what we have been working on”. Be on the lookout for this album because you don’t want to miss it!

With all of these big things happening for Shades of Blue in the next four months they will also have an end of the year concert in May, here at Bradley for everyone to attend as well. Though the season is so busy, they appreciate being together and growing closer everyday. Makenna Sandy (11) says “I really love being so close to everyone”. The passion for music they all share is truly special and is definitely the reason their bond is so close. Be on the lookout the next few months for Shades of Blue because it’s about to be amazing.