Spartan a cappella group Shiggity Fresh lets its voices ring out.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
Last November a group of five students put all their dedication and their voices to the test, assimilating their talents to form a fully a cappella group dubbed Shiggity Fresh. Since then, this nascent band of vocalists has performed for numerous audiences, ranging from Whole Foods shoppers to a gathering at a retirement home. After only one month of formal practicing, Shiggity Fresh is singing loud and clear, letting their name be known in and outside of TJ.
Shiggity Fresh consists of Seniors Joseph Powell (singing baritone) and Anna Romero (singing alto); Juniors Haley Green (singing soprano) and Keith Hussey (singing bass); and Sophomore Jordan Antonio (singing tenor). “The people in the band are great,” said Romero. “We have such good chemistry, and we just get along. Plus, we all are really dedicated and have a strong passion for singing.”
This passion for singing has led to a multitude of band meetings used for both practice and pleasure. “We get distracted a lot because we’re good friends,” said Green. “But when we buckle down and get to work, we get stuff down pretty fast.
According to Romero, the band’s inception was a product of Powell’s desire to create an extra-credit activity that would involve a tight-nit group of elite singers. “At the time Monticello wasn’t really together, so we wanted to get the best of the best to sing much harder, and much more complicated songs,” said Romero. “I’ve also known Joe since 7th grade, so it was easy to form a group out of old friends.”
Like Romero, Green was also pulled into the project by Powell and his desire to form a band. “[Powell] said he needed a soprano, and I jumped on board off the bat because I love jazz!” said Green.
With only a few months of practice under their belts, Shiggity Fresh has shared its love of jazz at a variety of locations, including the Butterfly Pavilion, Whole Foods, a retirement home, and even TJ’s Winter Concert. “The Winter Concert was easily our best performance,” said Romero. “It had the greatest audience setting, and often we don’t get very lucky on that aspect. Also, we had it really together vocally.”
The Butterfly Pavilion was also noted as a key performance for the band, despite the harsh weather. “When we played at the Butterfly Pavilions, it was freezing,” said Green. “No one really listened to us, but it was still very fun. We got to play with some of the tarantulas.”
Not only do members of Shiggity Fresh take pride in performing for a variety of audiences, but also offer an eclectic range of pieces, from contemporary holiday songs such as Snowfall to international classics such as Gota. “My favorite song we’ve sung has been Gota, because it was a great song to practice staying in time with,” said Romero. “We have to focus on what everyone’s doing. It’s also simply a very moving and emotional song.”
Both Romero and Green have had passion for music for years, providing them with excitement and experience behind their singing. “[I loved music since] when my mom was pregnant with me; she’d play rock music, and I would kick,” said Romero “I’ve been grooving since conception, man!”
Grooving continued to be a major aspect of Romero’s life during her freshman year at TJ, as well. “I got interested in singing during women’s choir freshman year. I was the loudest in the ensemble. Hebert told me to be quiet, and I cried,” laughed Romero. “When she held auditions for advanced [choir], I made it, and that propelled me to Shiggity Fresh.”
Green has also been brought up on music, claiming to have been singing since she could talk. “I was brought up on jazz and punk-rock mostly,” said Green. “I want to start a record label in the near future called Revolution Records. I’m hoping it can be a combination of rap, reggae, and soul music.”
The name Shiggity Fresh, according to modern folklore as well as multiple band members, originated as a joke between Powell and one of his close friends. “When [Choir Teacher Edwina Hebert] heard us use the name, she thought we were serious, and started writing that as our name,” said Romero. “From then on, we were dubbed Shiggity Fresh.”
Not only has Hebert contributed to the band’s name, but also its progress, often helping the members practice. “She gives us our parts on the piano, and helps a lot with intonation,” said Green. “We’re really glad to have her help.”
Hebert herself has shown great enthusiasm for Shiggity Fresh, mainly after their performance for TJ’s Winter Concert. “I was very impressed by [Shiggity Fresh],” commented Hebert. “They’ve only been together and practicing for a few weeks, and they were able to pull together two difficult pieces and perform them very well. They really stepped up and set the tone for the other choirs.”
Now preparing for multiple Jazz-fests and sing-offs, Shiggity Fresh hopes to continue its success until the end of this semester. “We’ll probably have to end it then because we’ll all be going off to college,” said Romero. “But until then, I’m just excited to keep entertaining the masses and sharing my love of music with the world.”
