Every Sunday, a group of men gather around a black piano with a common goal: sing and bring a capella music to the University and the Baton Rouge area. Entering their fourth year, the Tiger Tenors are preparing to increase their numbers and become more involved on campus.
The group formed in the spring of 2011 hoping to become a student organization, but they soon realized the rules and requirements of being a student organization did not align with the group’s goals. Although independent, Tiger Tenors continue to try to work with on campus events and follow University guidelines.
“We have more creative control over where we perform or how we perform as an independent organization,” said Tiger Tenors president Harrison Daigle.
Nine of the 10 men currently in the ensemble vary in major, classification and age. One member does not attend the University, and becauseTiger Tenors are not a student organization, the member can continue to be a part of the group. A few of the members are also part of the LSU Tiger Marching Band, including Tiger Tenors secretary and treasurer, Daniel Wendt.
“Most of our recruiting classes have been from the band because we know them and their comprehension of music,” Wendt said.
Daigle said the qualifications to be a member of Tiger Tenors are simple. Aspiring Tenors should focus on proving their passion to sing instead of worrying about their level of experience. Daigle and Wendt agreed that having a trained voice doesn’t mean that person is guaranteed a spot in the group. Those with raw talent may better fit the group’s needs and the members will build up the infant skill. Wendt said he promises as long as someone contacts the Tiger Tenors via email or Facebook, they’ll have a chance.
“It’s more than the music,” Wendt said. “We look at everything a person is involved in before joining Tiger Tenors. It’s about finding the broadest set of people.”
When picking its arrangements, the Tenors welcome all ideas from the group, but the executive board will ultimately decide the setlist. The group performs cover songs and originals written by past members to showcase its creative diversity.
There are large differences between true a capella groups and the groups displayed in movies like “Pitch Perfect.” Wendt said the theatrics such as flips and high energy dancing are rarely done on an actual competition stage.
Daigle also mentioned that becoming a well-rounded a capella group takes years of practice and musical understanding, something the current Tiger Tenors are trying to set a foundation for.
The Tenors are “figuring out” who they are before jumping into national competitions. Most of college a capella groups exist in the North, on the East or West coasts, and, they have been around for years. Without any proper direction, the Tiger Tenors are on their own to find success.
After singing Christmas carols at the houses on sorority row last year, Daigle said he hopes to get the Tenors more involved with life on campus. The group hopes to set up a midterm recital and use it as a way to advertise for open auditions.
“We’d like to sing for Fall Fest or during Homecoming Week eventually,” Wendt said.
Most of the group’s performances are requests for the National Anthem at Baton Rouge events and the University’s Alma Mater at baseball games.
To sing in front of a crowd of their peers is a joy the Tiger Tenors embrace. Wendt said presenting a product people can sing along with is the “key reason” the group still exists.
“It’s the personal interaction that we like so much,” Wendt said. “It’ll be a while before we become well known but we’re proud of what we’re doing.”
You can reach Joshua Jackson on Twitter @Joshua_Jackson_.