VCU a Capella Ensemble to Audition for NBC’s 'The Sing Off'

By Sarah Rodriguez

The Notochords, Virginia Commonwealth University’s a capella ensemble, has been asked to audition for the next season of the NBC show “The Sing Off.”

The show features 10 a capella groups from across the country in a weeks-long competition. The winning group receives $100,000 and a recording contract. The show is similar to “American Idol” and has received a prime-time spot in NBC’s TV lineup.
 
The Notochords, who were contacted personally by the casting director for “The Sing Off,” will audition Saturday, May 14, in Nashville, Tenn.
 
Cassandra Woodcock, a second-year graduate student in biomedical engineering and director of the Notochords, said the casting director had seen some of the Notochords’ videos online. Producers of the show were impressed and invited the group for an audition.
 
Kendall Humphries, a junior mechanical engineering student and associate director of the Notochords, said the casting director gave them an appointment so they would not have to wait in line to audition.
 
“They specifically reached out to us to encourage us to come,” said Humphries.
 
According to Woodcock, The Notochords were founded in 1992 but the group was wallowing by 2007. Woodcock, along with senior biology major and Notochords president Padma Chitnavis, worked hard to get the group back on its feet.
 
“This group that you worked so hard and put so much effort into is being recognized in the inner ring of the a capella community. So whether we make it or not it just really means a lot to have your hard work recognized,” said Chitnavis.
 
In order to fund the trip, the group needed to raise $2,000. The Notochords were able to raise the necessary funds within four days.
 
“It’s awesome and I’m speechless at the generosity of the people around us,” said Humphries.