History
The LU Melismatics are Lehigh's oldest mixed a cappella singing group, founded in 2001 by Anita Green and Hayley Teich. Since then, the Melismatics have gained popularity across campus and with other collegiate A Cappella groups.
The Melismatics host a fall and spring concert, as well as hosting the Annual Lehigh A Cappella Invitational with the other A Cappella groups on the Lehigh campus, performing around campus for school functions, competing in the International Competition for Collegiate A Cappella, and performing as a guest group at other Colleges.
Over the years the Melismatics have had quite a few amazing experiences, here are a few of our favorites. In 2006, the Melismatics were invited to perform with the 2006 SPEDSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America) Barbershop World Champion Quartet at Allentown Symphony Hall. In 2008, Mels participated in the Quarterfinal round of the Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella at Drexel University. In 2009, the group competed again and finished first in the quarterfinal at Johns Hopkins University, winning special awards for outstanding soloist and arrangement and advancing to the semifinal round of the competition.In 2010, we competed again, finishing second in our quarterfinal at Rutgers University and winning best choreography for "Battlefield." We earned fourth place honors at the Mid-Atlantic semifinal, where musical director Casey Rule won best arrangement for his interpretation of "Let it Be". In addition, our performance of Gloriana's "Wild At Heart" at the semifinal caught the attention of band member Rachel Reinert and is being used on the band's Web site and Twitter account to help draw attention to their run for the Academy of Country Music Top New Artist Award. This year the Melismatics are again competing in the ICCA's and can't wait to see how the competition goes!
Past members
2001-2002Lorraine AnnucciGelsey Bell Tiffany Giangiulio Myles Gobeille Anita Greene Jeff McDermont Chris O'Dwyer Brett Philpotts Nicole Robertson Raina Savitsky Tyler Tate Hayley Teich Derek Wilson |
2002-2003Kim AquilaGelsey Bell Sheryl Cherian Danny Greenawalt Ryan Hansen Kirsten Jacoby Amir Montgomery Chris O'Dwyer Brett Philpotts Raina Savitsky Dan Schankel Jessy Schocker Kasia Voychick Derek Wilson Nate Zander |
2003 - 2004Kim AquilaSheryl Cherian Zach Farrell Ryan Hansen Kirsten Jacoby Ellen Lempereur Brett Philpotts Andy Rosenbloom Raina Savitsky Dan Schankel Jessy Schocker Tyler Tate Kasia Voychick Derek Wilson Brad Woodward Nate Zander |
2004 - 2005Anna ChildsonTamar Derderian Joanna Fanizza Zack Farrell Daniel "Dash" Halle Ryan Hanson Amanda Kessler Eric Leckrone Ellen Lemperur Tom Ludlow Rowan Meyer Jim Mulherin Brett Philpotts Chase Philpotts Andy Rosenbloom Raina Savitzky Dan Schankel Jessica Shocker Derek Wilson Nate Zander |
2005 - 2006Anna ChildsonTamar Derderian Joanna Fanizza Joanna Fanizza Daniel "Dash" Halle Ryan Hansen Stephen Horowitz Chris Howard Lauren Jones Amanda Kessler Ellen Lemperur Tom Ludlow Jim Mulherin Chase Philpotts Brett Philpotts John Rodgers Ben Rodney Andy Rosenbloom Dan Schankel Blair Silver |
2006 - 2007Alison CurryArielle Foucek Dana Giallonardo Daniel "Dash" Halle Chris Howard Kevin Jacobs Lauren Jones Tom Ludlow Katherine Perry Chase Philpotts Martin Razo John Rodgers Steve Schuldman Jacob Schwartz Alyssa Stein Julie Stewart |
2007 - 2008Arielle FoucekDana Giallonardo Daniel "Dash" Halle Chris Howard Kevin Jacobs Tom Ludlow Katherine Perry Esther Pesciotta Chase Philpotts John Rodgers Casey Rule Steve Schuldman Jacob Schwartz Russell Simpson Alyssa Stein Vanessa Steinmetz Julie Stewart |
2008 - 2009Charlie AndersonBrigette Cohan Dana Giallonardo Kevin Jacobs Lily Kull Ryan Leichtweisz Alec Murphy Katherine Perry Casey Rule Steve Schuldman Jacob Shwartz Russell Simpson Alyssa Stein Julie Stewart Andrey Stolyarov Anne Whitebread |
2009 - 2010Charlie AndersonBrigette Cohan Will Frece Dana Giallonardo Colleen Hodges Nowell Kahle Lily Kull Alec Murphy Katherine Perry Elliot Ramos Brian Rodriguez Casey Rule Steve Schuldman Russell Simpson Alyssa Stein Julie Stewart Andrey Stolyarov Jaclyn Ulman Anne Whitebread Lucy Zhang |
2010 - 2011Aaron BaekRyan Butler Brigette Cohan Mai Hanoon Hilary Hla Colleen Hodges Nowell Kahle Lily Kull Mark McKenna Sara Newman Edward Jacob Puzycki Elliot Ramos Brian Rodriguez Casey Rule Emma Shannon Andrey Stolyarov Jaclyn Ulman Anne Whitebread Lucy Zhang |