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 been a big hit on Lehigh’s campus, and have attracted attention from a cappella groups and fans across the country. Our musical tastes are diverse —we have arranged and performed songs by Queen, Justin Timberlake, Sheryl Crow, Ben Folds, Journey, Lady GaGa, Billy Joel, Coldplay, Bon Jovi and many other popular artists. All of our arrangements are composed and taught by our own members, making us a completely student-run group!

The Mels have a fall and a spring concert each year, host Lehigh University's A Cappella Invitational along with Lehigh's other a cappella groups, and perform at university functions all over campus, along with gigs at other schools and other venues. 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, the LU 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.
Videos of top performances by the Lehigh Melismatics, including “Wild At Heart”, can be found in the "Videos" section of the website.

In 2004, the Melismatics released its first CD, "Just What You Need." Another CD is currently in production and will be released at our final concert of the year on April 23!