Tufts University's very own a capella group, The Beelzebubs, was selected to participate in NBC's new television series, "The Sing Off." The Bubs, twelve male Tufts students, competed with seven other a capella groups from across the country for one hundred thousand dollars, and a Sony recording contract. Throughout four episodes, the groups sang their hearts out for three judges, singers, Ben Folds, Nicole Scherzinger, and Shawn Stockman, as well as millions of Americans watching from their living rooms. "The Sing Off" aired on December 14th and ended last Monday with an exciting finale. | ||||
A group of male students from Tufts originally started the singing group in 1962, naming themselves, "Jumbo's Disciples: The Beelzebubs." The name references the poem, "Paradise Lost," by John Milton. The Bubs have their own foundation, which provides funding to middle and high school music programs and their teachers. The award-winning Bubs have recorded twenty-five studio and three live albums. Most of their recent music can be found on iTunes.
For the premiere episode of "The Sing Off" The Bubs stuck to their motto, "Fun through song," and incorporated theatrical choreography while singing the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour." During the judges critique of their performance, Stockman said, "It felt like I was watching a Broadway play." The Bubs made the first cut, but two groups were eliminated.
The following night, The Bubs performed "Right Round" by Flo Rida and "Come Sail Away" by Styx, finding a way to appeal to two very different musical generations. They advanced to the next round where they became known as "the showmen" for singing "The Who Medley" and crowd favorite "Sweet Caroline."
Although the final decision would come down to America's top vote, the judges chose three groups for the finale show, The Bubs, Nota, and Voices of Lee. During the finale, each group was asked to share a way they'd brought hope into their own communities. The Bubs showed a video of when they'd traveled to Hollenbeck Palms and serenaded the elderly, spreading joy on their holiday season. Then they entertained the crowd with the Black Eyed Peas song, "Where is the Love."
For their last performance on "The Sing Off" stage, The Bubs sang, "You Don't Own Me" with judge Scherzinger as their lead vocalist. The entertaining collaboration received a standing ovation. However, Nota, from Puerto Rico, stole the spotlight and all of America's votes to win the competition.
The Bubs still managed to gain popularity across the country and coin their own word, "Bubtastic." To learn more about the group, visit their website online at www.bubs.com/home.asp. For more information about "The Sing Off" go to www.nbc.com/sing-off/contestants/.
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