Their appeal has been on the rise since its creation in 1995, and the "shir" is only getting louder and stronger.
As Tufts' only Jewish co-ed a cappella group, Shir Appeal wanted a Hebrew name, and originally chose one for its direct translation - "shir" means "song" in Hebrew. Only later did members realize that their name doubles as a pun on the Hebrew phrase "song of the elephant." The group has proven that elephants don't only sing, they do so in various languages.
Shir Appeal has a unique reputation for its distinct religious affiliation and eclectic song list. Instead of the usual a cappella fare, the singers draw on popular Israeli rock, traditional Jewish melodies, and Hebrew-themed English songs. Past songs include everything from "Al Koh Aleh," a favorite folk song, to the musical theme from the movie The Prince of Egypt. Their unique repertoire and distinct cultural focus are only a few of the many reasons behind the growing recognition of the group both on campus and throughout the country.
On campus, the diversification of the a cappella scene has brought more attention to the once obscure Hillel-affiliated singers. Indeed, the audience's enthusiastic response to this year's performances at both the first night ceremonies and the O-Show confirmed the group's prominent place in the hierarchy of Tufts a cappella world.
Off campus, the group enjoys both nation-wide recognition and the benefits of a niche market. Last year, Shir Appeal was included on the Best of Collegiate A Cappella album. Meanwhile, group members are busy playing gigs in the community. Over the past year, there were months when Shir Appeal was booked every weekend for sessions at synagogues, Hebrew schools, and for special occasions such as bar and bat mitzvahs.
To further their national prominence - and have a good time - the group has toured during school breaks. Last winter break Shir Appeal was in Florida, visiting synagogues and Hebrew schools from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. One afternoon, a few of the members wandered into a cafe where a piano was being played. After a brief exchange with the piano player, the singers started an impromptu concert. Twenty minutes later the group was facing a cheering crowd of admirers.
Such success, however, doesn't come without effort. "It's definitely a time-consuming commitment," said member Ben Zablotsky.
The group practices an average of seven hours a week this year. Members also stayed on a week after classes finished last year to record their third CD, to be released in the fall of 2002.
For the members of this unique a cappella group, however, it's a worthwhile endeavor. The singers form a close-knit bunch of friends that frequently go out as group. While the social relationships are a definite benefit, the religious background of Shir Appeal is also important. Several of the members agree that participation in the group seems to renew faith. They find that touring synagogues and singing their unique songs strengthen their spiritual connection. For membership, however, singers do not have to be Jewish.
With such meaningful associations, it's no surprise that the group is growing in size and popularity. They currently have more alumni than members, a significant turning point for the formerly tiny group, which indicates Shir Appeal's continued growth. This year, they've added four freshmen to their roster, and while they've lost a few members to programs abroad and graduation, all the singers say they're looking forward to the year ahead.
