On Friday, January 27th, the Kent School A Cappella groups, the Kentones and the Kentettes, travelled to Kingswood-Oxford School to participate in the Ninth Annual Wyvern Invitational A Cappella Festival.

The Kentones and the Kentettes started preparing for the final competition almost two month ago. Besides the regular weekly rehearsals, they met in smaller sections outside of rehearsals, striving for perfect intonation, diction, and tone. Mrs. Kovacs, the Kent School choir director, appreciated the singers’ hard work: “Both the Kentettes and the Kentones did a great job of preparing ahead of time – holding extra rehearsals, being excited and ready to perform.”

And finally on January 27th, the big trial day for the singers, the Kentones and Kentettes left at 4:00PM for the competition. After a brief warm-up, the festival began with the Kentones, who sang two songs. Co-Heads Alec Cardenas and Simon Green sang the solo and led the group with great enthusiasm.

Following the Kentones were the Major Key, an all-male group from Cromwell High School. Although this group has only been founded for less than one year, they brought us great music and amused the audience with their creative choreography. Next up were the Grapes from Ethel Walker School who amazed everyone with the wonderful voices of their solos and the dynamic dance moves. The Girlz in Treble from Cromwell High School and the Close Harmony from Fairfield Ludlowe High School each presented their amazing and well-prepared songs.

Finally, it was the show time for the Kentettes, who sang “Roar” by Katy Perry and “Let it Go” from Frozen. With their great spirit and confidence, they showed the judges and audience their enthusiasm and love for the music with a bunch of big bright smiles. One of the judges, Jordan Bilbrew, commented, “These smiles are so big and filling me and the audience with joy.” Another judge, Melissa Jordano, even said, “Can I go back to high school and join your group, please?”

After the intense competition, the master A Cappella group Backtrack from New York concluded the festival with their amazing songs. They turned the festival into a thrilling concert with screams and shouts echoing in the hall, particularly during a little rap competition.

Overall, the WIAF was a “great opportunity for high school a cappella groups to come together to celebrate ensemble singing – to prepare and grow, to perform, and to enjoy each other’s performances” remarked Mrs. Kovacs.