SoObsessed with SoJam

This might not be too long, just because it's difficult to put into words the amazingness that is SoJam.

SoJam is an a cappella festival that was hosted in Raleigh, NC, this past weekend. It's basically a big conference that draws groups and individuals from across the nation. It's sponsored by CASA, the Contemporary A Cappella Society. Maybe this will explain it a little bit better than I can:

http://sojam.net/about/

Anyway, it's a huge deal. And the group that I sing with on campus was accepted for the third year in a row to be a part of the collegiate competition. That's also a huge deal. I'm so proud of them, I just had to brag real fast.

So Friday night was the competition featuring six different groups from six different colleges across the US:
- University of South Carolina Cocktails
- North Carolina State University Acappology (that's me!)
- Georgia Institute of Technology Nothin' but Treble
- Vanderbilt University Melodores
- University of Colorado Denver Mix
- Northeasters University Nor'easters

Mix came in second place and the Nor'easters took first. Both groups were absolutely incredible. Check them out on Youtube or Facebook. Or both.

Classes started Saturday at 9 am and ended around 5 pm. There were courses on everything from running through a live sound check to group arranging music to being an effective leader. And each class was taught by a professional within the industry, so it was real information from people with real experience. So helpful.

SoJam is obviously fantastic because of the knowledge and experience floating around among all the leaders, but it's also great because it allows you to connect with so many people from so many places, on a professional level and a social level. We got to reconnect with the Faux Paz from University of Maryland (check them out too!) as well as meet members from other collegiate, semi-professional, and professional groups.

Oh yeah, so Saturday night is the professional concert. This year featured Edge Effect, Pentatonix and Fork. Go look at all of them. Because I can't even begin to describe any of them. Except to say that I went into an a cappella coma. And it was a wonderful place to be.

And we met members of Pentatonix. Dear Avi Kaplan, not to be creepy, but I love you. Then end.

And Kirstie Maldonado, you can just sing to me every day of my life, because maybe a little bit of your vocal epicness will rub off on me. I'd be down with that.

That's about it. It was definitely the most exhausting weekend of my life, but it hasn't even been over 36 hours and I'm already so excited for next year. I miss the classes, the other groups, the performances, and the excitement of the whole experience. If you ever get the chance to attend, do it.

SoJam 2013. Hurry up and get here. You're going to be insane.