By Mackenzie Degen

“I’ve been waiting outside McManus theatre for an hour just to get tickets this year!” exclaims dedicated Chordbusters fan and Loyola University Maryland student Dana Kilonsky. The Loyola Belles and Chimes, the acapella student singing groups put on a concert twice a year, once in the spring, and another in the winter right before Holiday break. Made up of between 12 and 18 students each, the Belles and Chimes always put on a sold out show, including classic songs and twists on current, new popular songs.

Before the singing performances, each group put on a skit to get a few laughs out of the crowd. The belles, the all-female singing group went first, with a Loyola twist on The Wizard of Oz. Imitating Father Linnane, the President of the school, as well as Jimmy Patsos, the hot-tempered basketball coach, the belles went on an adventure to get their tickets for Chordbusters before they sold out. The chimes took a somewhat different approach, parodying the current Tiger Woods scandal, as well as ridiculing how some parents keep their children on “child-leashes” like dogs. Both skits were entertaining and pumped the crowd up for the upcoming acapella performances.

The Belles performed first, opening with “Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With That” by Robert Randolph, which is featured in the movie Stomp the Yard. Soloist Meg Faletra got the crowd raving and cheering by starting out with a strong solo, as Ryn Tracey and Claire Tomes created the background percussion. The crowd seemed to enjoy “Happy” by soloist Lindsay Gallagher, whose voice was undeniably strong and smooth, as well as “Dark Blue” sang by Tori Notarangelo, and “The Call” by Ryn Tracey. The showstopper, however, was their encore song: “Bad Romance,” a new release by Lady GaGa, as the Belles not only sang, but added in dance moves and attitude.

Before the Chimes came on to perform, the two groups sang a duet in the Christmas spirit, which has not been done before. The Chimes continued to keep up the positive atmosphere with songs such as “Stacy’s Mom,” “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” and crowd favorite “The Joker” by Steve Miller. Pani Stavrou-Wilson was the soloist for “The Joker,” which was mixed with the song “Angel” by Shaggy. The two blended together flawlessly, as the crowd cheered and clapped along. Wilson, a sophomore at Loyola University Maryland revealed that his favorite song was “I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” performed by Tim Walsh. Another Chime, sophomore TJ Devane added that it was one of the best-composed pieces they had chosen.

After the event, multiple compliments and positive comments were overheard about the humor in each skit, individual voices, and the overall performance. “I think this topped the spring show, and I didn’t think that was possible,” said senior Alyssa DeLisio, who has attended many of the performances over the past few years. The Belles and Chimes have even admitted that they are looking into pieces for next semester already, trying to top all other previous shows. Don't miss out!