At first it would seem like a pretty regular afternoon in the library with students scattered around with piles of books and frantically typing on laptops. But off to the side a small gaggle of 9 girls is in the corner of the Boettcher Room wearing matching black polo shirts embroidered with the words “Melodic Miners” on a music staff. The ladies cluster together, giggling nervously as students, teachers, and faculty gathered to hear their tunes. As 12:00 rolls around the girls straighten up and stand in a line. A pitch pipe is played quietly and suddenly a beautiful chorus breaks free. Toes are tapping, hips are swaying to the beat as the bouncy backup to the Little Mermaid classic “Kiss the Girl” enters the library.
The ladies performed a total of 8 songs, all in a 4 part a cappella, meaning that there were no instruments involved, only singing. The songs ranged from Disney classics to Barbershop hits from the 1950’s. When asked afterward, the group said that their favorite songs varied depending on the person. Many preferred the classic a cappella songs, while others gravitated toward the well-known Disney songs.
The range of songs was surprising: the group transitioned from bouncy, snapping songs like pop classic “Lollipop” to slower ballads like “Royals” by Lorde without hesitation. Soloist Nichole Pisierra channeled her inner Aretha Franklin in one of the group’s performances: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.” Soloists Bethany Simonson and Bethany Klinkerman serenaded the audience with “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”
One striking thing about this group is their fantastic camaraderie. As they sing they smile and giggle and move with the music. This is no solemn choir for sure. These ladies clearly love singing and one another. Their backup abilities were excellent. It’s no easy feat to emulate an entire orchestra using only vocals. The girls created a beautiful, rich, 4 part melody with both the highs and lows intertwined and represented. All of the solos were done beautifully with great pitch and rhythm.
The Melodic Miners are involved in the singing Valentines that many know about around campus. In February, students and staff can purchase a valentine for a small fee and have anyone be serenaded by the a cappella group. And they mean anyone (professors included!). This is part of a fundraising for the group, and also just for the enjoyment of anyone who wants to let their sweetie know that they love them, or publicly embarrass them in front of their entire lecture hall. The singing Valentines will go on sale near the beginning of February.
The Melodic Miners will be performing several times in the next couple of months both on campus and off campus. They will be performing at the Denver Botanical Gardens on Thursday November 13 and 5:00 pm. They will also be participating in the Mines Choir concert on campus on November 21 at 7:00 pm. They will be taking part in the Golden Candle Walk on December 5 at 5:00 pm. And they will be performing as part of the Denver Zoo Lights on December 11 at 5:00 pm. Make sure to come out and support the Melodic Miners and the Mines music department!
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