If you’ve ever watched Pitch Perfect, you might think performing a capella is all about flashy choreography and effortless harmony. While these movies may make it look easy, in reality, it takes a lot more work than meets the eye. Mr. Will Farnum, THS’s new chorus teacher, has embraced the challenge of turning our chorus into an a capella machine. He has turned a multitude of songs, from Ariana Grande to Willy Wonka, into perfected a cappella arrangements. 

Farnum’s most recent projects have been “Snow Angel” by Renee Rapp and “Good Graces” by Sabrina Carpenter. He gets his arrangements from various sources, but finding the music is only the beginning of a long and grueling process of creating a sound performance. 

“A cappella is such a new genre that it’s hard to come up with arrangements for recent tracks,” Farnum said. “I do some arranging myself, but there are also great resources out there to get us started.”

This endeavor is quite a new experience for the chorus singers, as they have done very few modern/pop songs and have never done a capella before. Some students, though, actually prefer their a capella performances to the everyday chorus pieces, even though it can be more difficult. “With a cappella, you don’t have any music or accompaniment to fall back on,” said Sara Hau (’25). “You are the accompaniment.”

Recently, I had the opportunity to step into their class during a rehearsal, and I was blown away by the energy and skill it took to create something so seamless without the help of any instruments. As they practiced “Good Graces” and “Snow Angel,” I could see the focus on every singer’s part, from pitch to timing, as well as their ability to harmonize and create depth without the usual accompaniment. It was a true testament to Mr. Farnum’s hard work and the dedication of the students.

Mr. Farnum’s approach to a cappella has not only transformed the chorus’s repertoire but also pushed the students beyond their comfort zones. With each new arrangement, they are discovering what it means to create music in its purest form—just the voices, nothing else. For those in the chorus, this journey promises not only an enriching musical experience but the excitement of seeing what new heights they will reach as an a cappella group.

Farnum noted that the choices of songs reflect the interests of the students. “I see the vibe of the class and what they like. Right now, they’re really into artists like Ariana Grande and female singers who can sing really high, so that’s what we’re leaning toward,” he said. 

And the students are looking forward to bringing a capella to a wider audience. The group recently performed “Bloodline” by Ariana Grande during the morning announcements. For senior Guy Persitz, the experience was about more than just showcasing their talent—it was an opportunity to inspire others. “I hope that by sharing a cappella with the school, we can encourage more people to give it a try,” he said.

Looking ahead, the chorus is preparing for its first competitive venture, the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA), in January. 

“We’re still in the early stages, but it’s been going well,” Farnum said. “We’ll find out our groupings soon, and then it’s all about getting competition-ready.” 

As THS’s a capella group continues to evolve, it is setting the stage for a new and exciting THS tradition.