The Enharmonics Take On Manhattan
The Enharmonics’ recent trip to perform alongside underground band Couch was not only a great show of support for new artists, but also a means of celebrating the intrinsic relationship between music and community.
The Enharmonics, Marist’s only all-gender a cappella group, was personally invited by Couch to Rockwood Music Hall in Manhattan to not only attend the band’s first tour, but also perform their most popular single “Easy to Love.”
“The stage was small so we were in the audience, like a flash mob kind of thing,” Emma Kittay ‘22, Senior Director of Enharmonics said. “It was really cool. To meet them was great, and it was a lot of fun. They were great live, so I hope we can collaborate with them in the future.”
Though lacking a large following, the Boston-based band’s soulful mix of funk, R&B, jazz, and rock had the Enharmonics hooked at first sight— or rather, sound.
Alumnus Christopher Bedard (‘20) made an a cappella arrangement of “Easy to Love” after discovering Couch on Spotify’s Discover Weekly. The Enharmonics’ rendition was shared on Instagram and quickly caught the attention of the band themselves.
Couch, like the Enharmonics, consists of recent or soon-to-be college graduates whose musical expertise were shaped by their experiences in theatre and a cappella. A relationship between the two groups was quickly formed, culminating in a night of music and camaraderie.
“They just wanted us to be a part of that moment because it was their first tour,” says Kittay. “It was great to actually be there because I haven’t seen live music in forever.”
The trip is especially impactful following a year of heavy COVID restrictions on the music department. After music groups like The Enharmonics and Marist Singers had spent the summer of 2020 trying to develop a plan for safe rehearsal, the department was told in August that singing would be prohibited for the year. Though this seems like an amazing setup for a Footloose-esque musical rebellion, the department complied out of respect for everyone’s safety. Rehearsals were conducted remotely, with each participant singing along in their room while muted on Zoom.
Though the conditions were less than ideal, each participant now truly understands the importance of togetherness— especially when it comes to making music.
“The experience overall was spectacular for the group and the relationships between each of us in general,” Enharmonics member Maggie Kruse ‘22 said. “Group outings truly do foster a sense of community and help grow the bonds between group members.”
Interested in catching a live Enharmonics performance? Check them out in Marist Singers’ upcoming “Night on Broadway” on Oct. 30 or 31, or the joint a cappella Winter Concert taking place in December. For updates and more, follow @the_enharmonics on Instagram.
The Enharmonics Take On Manhattan. Source: Chris Schippers, Pexels.