BY KALEN MATTOCKS, Sophomore
BLYTHEWOOD-- The hard work and time the acaBengals put in takes discipline and appreciation for the love of music. Although they may not pursue a career in music, they do see it as an important aspect of their life that will forever remain.
The acaBengals are a creation of chorus teacher and basketball coach, Kristin Claiborne and are a little something different that what would usually be aspected.
“The acaBengals are an a capella group formed by Kristin Claiborne,” sophomore Amyah Ritter said. “It includes twelve students Anthony Sampedro, Erykah Alford, Riley Strayer, Lauren Waklasti, Travor Decker, Victoria Williams, Will Stocker, Tristian Smith, Kalen Mattocks, Kimberlyn Myers, Haven Davis and myself.”
The name may seem strange, but has a very distinct meaning.
The a capella group puts weekly time of hard work into everything they do and enjoy what they do enough for them to do so.
“We practice almost everyday of the week from 6 to 8,” Ritter said. “You have the chance to bond with new people and be involved in something you love.”
“We practice most days from 6-8, but it’s a lot fun and hard work,” Stocker said.
It was not just a sign up and people are automatically in situation. There were auditions and preparations that had to be done.
“To get in you’d have to audition and actually have some talent or be able to sight read/read music period,” Ritter said. “This group is lots of fun since I get to travel, sing, and socialize with new people.
Even though it may seem that these students do not have to put as much work and effort as a sports teams or have to be just as dependable as a single person on a team. They do and have to make sure that they come prepared. They are just as much of a valuable singer as anyone else involved in the group.
