By Abigail Olear

University of Maryland’s Pitch Perfect-esque a cappella group’s powerful voices have carried them to national recognition.  

DaCadence is UMD’s newest a capella group. Since 2010, the group has released music on Spotify and competed in collegiate-level singing competitions.

In February, DaCadence’s big, belting sound scored them first overall in Varsity Vocals’ International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella semi-finals.

“We were all just so shocked but so happy,” said senior DaCadence Vice President Kasey Donaldson. “Even though we worked so hard, we still weren’t expecting to place first.”

Now, DaCadence is rehearsing for the ICCA Finals on April 29 in New York City. This is the first time the group has gotten this far in the ICCA competition, and it is all due to their hard work and dedication.

“We all committed to doing this back in summer 2022. It was very much a, ‘we know this is going to be a big time commitment, are we all in it,’ situation,” said junior marketing and studio art major Christina Williams, who is the social public relations chair. “We all agreed and we’ve all held ourselves accountable.”

As finals approach, the group will practice nearly every night to perfect their set, which includes songs ranging from Childish Gambino’s soulful “Me and Your Mama” to “Red Desert” by pop rock fusion boy band 5 Seconds of Summer. Junior music director Tania Ghandour chose these songs and more to match the group’s “warm, but also intense” sound and to tell a story within their ten minute set.

DaCadence President Nicholas Orellana hopes to keep the group’s morale up as they approach the big competition.

“When you do the same set over and over again, it’s easier to get tired of it. I think my biggest goal is just to make sure that everyone still has that same motivation, that energy, to perform and emote,” Orellana said. 

Outside of their performing abilities, DaCadence members pride themselves on their incredible bond. 

“We’re making music that I love with the people that I’ve gotten so close with. They’re like my best friends on campus,” said Williams.

Orellana, a communication major, said the group refers to themselves as “DaFam.” This strong rapport can be seen in rehearsals and on stage. No matter the outcome of the ICCA Finals, DaCadence’s fondness for one another will be the true prize.

“I think we all devote so much of our time towards this, we have to be a family,” said Donaldson.

Featured image: DaCadence performs at ICCA’s semifinals. Photo by Ian Schiff.