Within UCI’s vibrant a cappella scene is Uniting Voices (UV), one of the premier all-gender teams on campus. The student-led group embodies the perfect blend of musical rigor, teamwork and passion, making UCI proud by routinely placing in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) since 2021.
Under the leadership of President and Marketing Director Katarina Orais, a fourth-year student double majoring in drama and sociology, UV has continued to soar.
“I love the group … This year, like every year, you just see a whole new spark and a whole new growth,” Orais told New University. “I’m just really proud of my group and how it’s grown, and I’m really excited for the rest of the year.”
Each fall, UV holds auditions, with over 100 eager students vying for a spot on the team. The rigorous process of choosing the right members aims to find the best voices as well as the right fit for the group’s unique and ever-changing dynamic.
“We want you as the auditionees to find your fit as much as we want to find our fit,” Orais said. “The thing is, your dynamic is going to shift every year … [For example] you’re gonna want more sopranos this year because a lot of people graduate the year before. We can’t take any tenors because we have too many. So, it’s really hard, because you miss on some really, really talented people just because we don’t have the space this year.”
Additionally, many a cappella competitions, including the ICCA, have a microphone limit, typically maxing out at 18. Orais said this constraint contributes to the number of people they recruit onto the team, as they try to ensure everyone has a microphone at competitions.
“We, of course, look for musicianship and [experience], but honestly you don’t need too much experience,” Orais said. “[What we look for] is a lot of dedication. It’s really inspiring to see someone really dedicated and motivated to grow.”
UV has decided to sit out the ICCA this year for the first time in recent history. Known for their strong performance and consistent quarter and semifinal appearances, the decision marked a shift in focus from competing to reconnecting with the team and the music.
“We are in mourning right now a little bit. [But] we’re just kind of finding our roots again … and really creating a new momentum for the coming years,” Orais said.
While competition is a significant aspect of UV, Orais emphasized the creative heart of the group.
“We’re in this group because we just want to create, and we just want to sing,” Orais said. “As much as ICCAs are wonderful and amazing, we really just wanted to [be] in touch with the [a cappella] community, whether it’s the community at UCI or outside UCI.”
Despite the lighter schedule, UV’s dedication remains unwavering. Rehearsals continue, with the music team focusing on musicianship and introducing new material every week. Even though they are not planning on going to the ICCAs, UV intends to create choreography for their sets with the help of Nathan Bravo, the team’s choreographer.
Orais emphasizes the importance of choreography, noting that singing is not just your voice — it takes your whole body to do it well.
“[Singing] takes everything in you … if it’s not, you know something is missing that can be added to this performance,” Orais said. “When you’re preparing for [a stage], you want to make sure all of the audience can see you and hear you … Singing and acting, and all the arts and creative expressions and performance are tied together. You want to tell a story, and you’re not going to tell a story as well standing still and swaying.”
UV’s commitment to growth extends beyond their internal team. The group has maintained their tradition of frequently inviting alumni and professionals to lead workshops, offering fresh perspectives.
“We just had some alumni like past music directors [give us feedback]. But historically, and especially for ICCA, we bring outside people. Last year, we had Tehillah Alphonso, which is a Grammy artist come in and help us,” Orais said.
At their core, UV’s success stems from their shared passion for music. Rehearsals run smoothly, balancing the time dedicated to music and socializing.
“It really helps when the group has the mentality that ‘I’m here because I want to be here, and I’m here because I love to do this,’” Orais said.
Looking to the future, Orais is optimistic about UV’s trajectory. With their new EP “Bloom” recently released on Spotify and plans for more collaborations on the horizon, the group is poised for continued success this year.
“Next quarter, we’re really wanting to collaborate with some other Southern California groups that we’ve grown closer to, and just having more opportunities to get out there more, to sing and connect,” she said. “I’m so happy with what I’m seeing [this year] and it makes me so excited for next year when they hopefully choose to compete.”
Uniting Voices is a testament to the power of dedication, creativity and community. Whether they’re performing on a competitive stage or a local one, their harmony extends far beyond the music — it’s a reflection of the bond they share and the passion that drives them forward.
Ananya Kashyap is an Arts and Entertainment Intern for the fall 2024 quarter. She can be reached at ananyask@uci.edu.
Edited by Alaina Retodo
