FAQ, scroll down for the following:
General
Auditions
Gigs
General
Who are The Touchtones?
The Touchtones are Cornell's favorite all female a cappella group. They dance, they sing, and they do awesome covers. Founded in 1983, the group has evolved over the years and has traveled quite a bit as well. Performing every where from the famous Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame in Montreal, CA to a seniors citizen center in Philadelphia, PA, The Touchtones find joy in sharing their love of a cappella with any one who will listen.
How many girls are in The Touchtones?
While the number varies each semester, the group averages about 14 girls.
Can any one audition?
As long as you are a girl and can make it to rehearsals, sure! Check out below under "Auditions".
How do you pick the songs you sing?
We usually like to perform stuff that is popular and well known, but we occasionally dabble in some indie stuff as well. Songs are mostly chosen by member request, but if you have a song you would love to hear, send us an e-mail and we'll check it out!
Who arranges the songs?
Most of our songs are arranged by members of the group, but there are a select few that have had arrangers from the outside. Click here for a complete breakdown of all the songs we do.
Where can I listen to your music?
Great Question! We have several links with some of our music up.
Purevolume
Myspace
Youtube
You can also buy our latest CD, "Wake Up Call" by e-mailing our business manager! Kae72590@gmail.com
Auditions
If
you are reading this, you are probably thinking about trying out for an
a cappella group on campus. Hopefully, you are even considering being a
Tone. First of all, awesome! The
experience of being in an a cappella group at Cornell is one-of-a-kind
and totally worth it. You will instantly be connected to tons of people
on campus that love nothing more than singing for and entertaining
people. Each group has its own flavor, so make sure you check out as
many groups as possible. But even with different styles and songs, we
all form a pretty tight knit community that is tons of fun and
completely different. Sound like you want in? Great. Below we’ve
answered some basic questions you might have about the audition process.
I
want to sing a cappella in college. But I’ve never auditioned for a
group before. What type of song should I sing anyway? And is it just me
singing in front of the group?
Well,
no, We do ask that you sing 30 second or so of a contemporary pop song
as part of auditions. Of course it helps if you love what you sing;
that will make you stand out. Members of the Tones have auditioned with
everything from the Dixie Chicks, to Norah Jones, to Madonna. But
singing a solo isn’t the only part of being in an a cappella group.
We’ll also have you sing some scales along with a piano (just lots of
la la la’s and mah mah mah’s) and do some rhythm clapping and note
matching to see your flexibility when it comes to harmonies and bopping
(yes, there will be bopping).
Geez, that sounds intimidating. What if I mess up?
Tones
mess up all the time in rehearsal. That’s why we practice. We
aren’t this kick butt without some work too! A few mistakes are no big
deal. Just breathe through it and keep going. We want you to be your
best just as much as you want to be your best.
Should my solo be memorized?
It doesn’t have to be, but it helps us see only you if you aren’t hiding
behind a piece of paper. But if having the lyrics with you means that
you feel more confident, then, by all means, bring a whole stack up
with you.
Ok, that sounds doable. In fact, I think I want to try out for more than just one group. Is that ok?
Totally.
We want you to find a group that fits you – your voice, your
personality, your musicality. So, you should try out for as many groups
as you want. That way, you can get to know the people in each, which
will help you find your favorite. If there are conflicts with audition
times, all the groups will work to find a way for you to try out for as
many as you like.
Awesome. I tried out for a bunch, and got called back! Yes! But what happens in callbacks? Just more of the same?
Callbacks
are a little more rigorous. We’ll have you sing another (read: new) pop
solo, but we’re also going to test how you blend with the girls already
in the Touchtones. This means we’ll be teaching you part of a song to
perform with other members of the Tones. You’ll have plenty of time to
practice it before you stand up and sing it. As said before, we want to
see you at your best just as much as you want to perform at your best.
This
was helpful and all, but I have so many more questions. What should I
wear? What if I miss auditions? How can I really impress the Tones or
any other group for that matter? Why is the sky blue?
Well,
we aren’t sure how to answer the last one—we are, after all, just
singing girls—but if you have other burning questions, just contact us.
Send Margeaux, our super sweet prez, an email at mlw239@cornell.edu, even if it’s just to introduce yourself.
Gigs
How can I book The Touchtones for a gig?
E-mail Katie at Kae72590@gmail.com. She'll provide all the info you need. It would be helpful if you could provide an approximate date, how many people will be attending and the type of event it is.
Can I request specific songs?
Sure! If you give us an ample amount of time and it is something we feel is do-able, we'd love to cater to your event's interests!