Jack Killeen
Contributing Writer
For the first time in the 15 years Eric Dunn has directed A-Men, fellow female students of A-Men have the chance to sing in an a cappella group of their own, A-Ladies.
Senior Hannah Lieb of A-Ladies said, “Until this year, we just came in towards the extravaganza and did a couple songs with A-Men, but Dunn decided that having an all women a cappella group would be fun thus: A-Ladies.”
The new group, A-Ladies, is solely females and will sing at the upcoming A-Men Extravaganza on Dec. 14, in Knight Auditorium. They will sing “Call me Maybe,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Slow me Down,” “the Chain,” “Some Nights” (co-ed), “Fidelity” and “It’s Raining Men.”
A-Men started when Dunn first came to WGHS. During college he was in an a cappella group which inspired him to start it. In the third year, requests started for a women’s a cappella group. Dunn didn’t have time to direct the group. Instead he held auditions for a solo to be sung with A-Men at the extravaganza. “About 40 girls tried out for one solo,” said Dunn.
The following year, Dunn started A-Women, but they only sang at the Extravaganza, and some songs were co-ed. Girls complained the next year, but Dunn did not have the time to direct another group.
This year, two directors stepped in for Dunn, giving him the time he needed to build A-Ladies. The two new directors are Spanish teacher Jaime Schwartz and Webster alumni/A-men veteran Adam Worth.
“As of last year, A-Women was very talented and without graduates,” said Dunn. This talent pushed him to start A-Ladies.
A-Ladies members decided on the name change because it is similar to “‘ay ladies!” Members are sophomore Sarah Addison, sophomore Bethany Conerly, senior Helen George, junior Alexis Harman, senior Bella Ibur, Lieb, junior Emma Lingle, senior Kyra McArthur, senior Katy Nappier, sophomore Rachel Reilly, sophomore Sophie Sears, senior Sami Thomas, and junior Chay Turner.
A-Ladies will showcase their talent at the A-Men Extravaganza Friday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. alongside A-Men and True Men.
