Since its beginning in fall 2003, ReMiX has been bringing the sounds of hip-hop and R&B to life through a capella. The group, which consists of 16 active members including sopranos, altos, tenors, basses and beboppers who blend together to sing popular songs, is the only a capella group at the University that specializes in R&B music.
“Our mission is to bring good music to U.Va.,” said fourth-year College student Brandon Rogers, president of ReMiX. The members of ReMiX meet on Grounds at Cabell Hall twice a week to practice songs and collaborate.
While some of the members have a background in music, anyone, no matter what their level of experience, can audition during the group’s fall and spring tryouts.
“When I first auditioned for ReMiX, I didn’t know much about music or even what a capella was,” Rogers said. “When they handed me the music, I tried to fake it, but later I learned that to be a member of ReMiX, all you have to do is know how to sing.”
Even students who are not musically inclined can support the group as well. Rogers said coming to events where the group is performing and showing support is a great way to get involved.
Fourth-year Education student Monet Bernard has been a member since her second year, but tried out for ReMiX three times before she made the group. According to Bernard, every audition was worthwhile.
“The things that you work for the most are the things that are worth the most,” she said.
While Bernard just recently began getting serious about music, she said singing is something she has wanted to do for a long time.
“I didn’t get to do anything like this in high school,” Bernard said. “But it’s something that I’ve always wanted to explore. I have always loved to sing, but I didn’t get the chance to express myself in that way before. It was never realistic and I never had time before now.”
Through her experience with the group, Bernard was able to further explore her interests.
“ReMiX helped me to realize that music is one of my passions,” she said.
For some ReMiX singers, the group has served as a springboard to a future in music artistry. Rogers said some members of ReMiX have gone on to pursue professional singing careers. He noted that Travis Tucker, a recent University graduate, went as far as to try out for American Idol and become a finalist.
Although ReMiX is one of many a capella groups at the University, Bernard insisted that it is unlike the others.
“ReMiX is so different,” Bernard said. “We explore different genres of music and aren’t afraid to be unique. We all have different personalities and love to have fun making music. That‘s what it’s all about.”
Third-year College student Mia Logan agreed that ReMiX is distinct from other groups on Grounds.
“ReMiX’s unique sound attracted me to the organization,” said Logan, who has been a member for two years. “I had seen other a capella groups but there were none like ReMiX. The sound was fresh and the harmony was ‘tight.’ It was just different.”
While ReMiX is made up of diverse personalities and music types, it also has a diverse group of fans.
“I’m surprised,” Rogers said. “We have a big following. All kinds of people enjoy our music.”
In addition to singing in ReMiX, members also come together to arrange music and to make sure each song is synthesized to perfection.
“In ReMiX, I am not just limited to singing,” Bernard said. “I also get to arrange and express myself in a unique way. I can sing everything. I can sing alto, rap or beat box.”
While making music in the group is a fun experience for the members, it requires hard work and dedication.
“It takes work to sound this good,” Logan said. “There is nothing like being in a small group. You must be aware of your own voice in addition to knowing how to blend and harmonize with the rest of the singers. It takes musical skill.”
To keep up with the increasing demand for performances, the group recently established a new public relations committee.
“I hope to see more of our members on TV soon,” Rogers said.
To get more publicity, members usually chalk around Grounds, participate in Dorm Sing concerts and perform at other events.
“We just try to sing as much as possible,” Rogers said. “We try to show our faces to the University every chance that we get.”
Although taking part in the organization requires hard work and dedication, there is nothing more rewarding than sharing memorable experiences and forming meaningful relationships, Logan said.
But singing as often as possible while balancing the responsibilities of school at the same time can be demanding, according to Rogers.
“Sometimes it’s hard to keep a positive morale in the group,” Rogers said. “Many members have to deal with stress and it often carries over into our practice.”
While balancing their extracurricular singing with class work can be difficult, ReMiX values the support it get from fans.
“We are really thankful and appreciative for the support of all of our fans,” Rogers said. “We are really happy about everything that people do to sustain our group.”
While the fans serve as an integral support base for ReMiX, the members themselves also have an important relationship with each other. ReMiX, in addition to serving as an a capella singing group, also doubles as a family, Rogers said, describing the nature of the group as welcoming.
“We’re all crazy but we have a good time,” he said. “It just works. I don’t know why but we make good music.”
Both Rogers and Bernard described the group’s members as extremely talented individuals who come together to sing. Although all of the members are different and unique in their own ways, they are all similar when it comes to their love for making music.
“We’re like our own little community,” Logan said. “Being a part of ReMiX makes you a part of another little world.”
Rogers added that he hopes the group will improve every year that it remains active.
“I want ReMiX to be a permanent organization here at the University,” Rogers said.
For some members, ReMiX is a place to develop lifelong relationships, to build a foundation for a future in the music industry and to share with others a love for the art of singing.
“I feel that ReMiX is one of the biggest highlights of my life,” Rogers said. “I know that together we are capable of doing great things, so why not try?”
Members of the group encourage students to share the experience of singing in a unique a capella group.
“If you love music, ReMiX is full of people who share the same love,” Logan said. “Come out. We are the one and only of our kind here at U.Va.”
Read More
Fourth-year Bodo’s orders — creative or catastrophic?
By Lizzy Goldstein | 8 hours agoWhile this selection of bagels had winners and losers, it is safe to say that the Class of 2024 has taken full advantage of the Bodo’s menu over the years.
The naked party uncovered
By Mia Tan | YesterdayThe naked party, founded by fourth-year Architecture student Wells Woolcott, is the first of its kind at the University in recent memory.
A second chance to dress for graduation
By Julianne Saunders | 2 days agoI have learned to see my college graduation not as a way to make up for the past but as an event worth celebrating on its own.
