Vocal point

The Harvard Krokodiloes, an a cappella group from Harvard University, USA, will perform at Blue Frog on Thursday, July 18. The group, nicknamed The Kroks, is Harvard’s oldest a cappella band and was founded in the 1940s.

The Harvard Krokodiloes, an a cappella group from Harvard University, USA, will perform at Blue Frog on Thursday, July 18. The group, nicknamed The Kroks, is Harvard’s oldest a cappella band and was founded in the 1940s. If you are a fan of the popular TV show Glee, you’ve probably come across a cappella performances. “We love how intimate and collaborative a cappella singing is,” says Russell Horton, a Krok and the tour manager of the group. A cappella is music made exclusively using voices and without the use of any instrument. “This type of music requires discipline,” says Horton, adding, “We have to be aware of our own voices, each other and how we sound as a group to perform well.”

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Ever since it was founded, the Kroks has stuck to singing songs from the ’20s to ’50s — concentrating on artistes like Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, among others. However, Frank Sinatra is one musician who stands out. “He had a way of making songs come alive, and we draw a lot of inspiration from his singing,” says Horton. There are 12 members in the group, each of whom joined to learn more about a cappella music. “Few among us did much a cappella singing before joining the Kroks,” admits Horton. However, the journey has taught them life-long lessons. “The Kroks attract singers from all walks of life because of the
opportunities we present, like lifelong brotherhood, incredible around-the-world travel and making great music,” says Horton. The Harvard Krokodiloes will perform on July 18, 9 pm, at Blue Frog.