This a cappella group at UTD has amazed audiences with songs both new and old, but the group boasts more than musical skill alone. Through student-led rehearsals, each member participates in finding one another’s best qualities, developing their talents and forging new friendships. This is not “Pitch Perfect,” but Novis, UTD’s premier a cappella organization.
Novis is a student-run group with female and male voice parts as well as beatboxers. Throughout the semester, the club’s singing endeavors range from small gigs to their final semester concert, which entails the entire group singing together, as well as members branching off and singing in smaller groups. Its music catalog ranges from contemporary hits from the Western hemisphere to classicals from the East to match the theming of their concerts. Members of the group come from various schools across UTD, all sharing a love for singing and the hope to shine.
“We look for talented people who are willing to learn and have the aptitude to do great things,” Vignesh Bhaskar, biology fourth year and music director of Novis, said. “We strive towards being better, [we] are [truly] never disappointed.”
While a cappella performances — where singers showcase their voice without any backup music or instrumentals — may seem like a vulnerable experience, president and computer science junior Jaden Nonis holds a different view. To Nonis, a vocal-only style presents the opposite opportunity for Novis members.
“The fact that we are an a cappella group makes us more confident in our abilities, because there are very few factors that come outside of what we are used to,” Nonis said. “We always talk [with the members] to get everyone used to [the experience].”
A typical evening rehearsal at Novis begins in the Physics Building, which contains large-group music rooms as well as solo rehearsal rooms, giving members the space to strengthen their individual singing and that of the group as a whole.
“We [tend to go] on-and-off between focus and fun,” Bhaskar said. “Cultivating a space where people can talk freely, express themselves [how] they wish [to], is the end goal. Happy singers make better singers, I have learned.”
Being an a cappella group presents a unique challenge: allowing each member’s vocal performance stand out while balancing the need for musical harmonization throughout. With four members assigned to each voice part, this may seem like a difficult endeavor, but to Bhaskar, it begins with understanding each individual in the group while giving members confidence in finding their own balance outside of rehearsals.
“I let members learn [the music] by themselves, because they are all talented singers,” Bhaskar said. “Oftentimes there will be people who [might] pick up the music faster than I can. Every [single] one of them is [a] musician in their own right.”
Most members of Novis are non-music majors who enjoy the chance to lead fellow singers as well as themselves to success. According to Nonis, this dynamic has led Novis to be able to share music with the UTD student body and raise spirits.
“When you [have] the opportunity to control what you are doing, it can be relieving,” Nonis said. “Seeing the life that [student-run] music groups bring to campus can be very impactful.”
For Novis members, the group provides opportunities to connect beyond music through developing lasting connections and friendships. Bhaskar shared that these connections create moments that aren’t just cherished in the present moment but have long-term impacts on each member.
“The [activities] we do in college [have a] tendency to carry over with us,” Bhaskar said. “Novis is definitely one of those things.”
Since its early days, Novis has slowly grown from a small organization to one that incorporates a second arts facet of choreography alongside its music, as well as opportunities to collaborate with other music groups on campus such as the UTD Chamber Choir, University Choir and some ATEC capstone classes.
“They get to practice their recording skills, while we [receive] an end product,” Nonis said. “A lot of opportunities have come our way through collaboration, which is my favorite part of the growth in Novis.”
Growth has also been found on a more personal note as well. For both Nonis and Bhaskar, Novis has changed their day-to-day lives for the better. Bhaskar’s growth has come in the form of confidence in his public speaking abilities, finding comfort in sharing topics he is knowledgeable about. Nonis shared he finds relief from the stressors of college while also enriching his social life through newfound friends.
Each semester, Novis looks for new members and conducts auditions that entail a short solo, sight-reading and a chance to harmonize with current Novis members. Those interested can find information on Novis’s website as well as on their social media pages, like Instagram. For those looking to enjoy their performances, their spring concert is expected to show between late April to early May.
“Novis was really that home to me,” Nonis said. “[In the future] as long as we [head] in a good direction and keep our music level high, I think it is only looking up for Novis.”