Harmonix, an a cappella group, has made a comeback this spring at UNK after a three-year hiatus.
The Harmonix revival began in neighboring dorm rooms and has grown from there.
“Lily and I have been best friends since the beginning of the year,” said Phinehas Wiezorek, a freshman and Harmonix vice president. “She called me and asked me to come to her room right away, and suggested we make an a cappella group, and I said, ‘Okay, sounds cool.’”
The pair come from different choral backgrounds – Wiezorek from North Platte and Lillian Jones, Harmonix president, from Omaha. Bringing them together has been another step in itself.
“In high school, I was in an all-women’s a cappella group, and I really missed singing, so I wanted another, newer opportunity,” Jones said. “It was just Phinehas and I to start, and through auditions, we are proud to now have 14 men and women.”
Auditions for Harmonix were held virtually on Feb. 12 and 13, where any UNK student could try out for the soprano, alto, tenor or bass parts. The group has started individual practices and will begin to meet once a week to rehearse altogether with Wiezorek as the conductor.
Besides practicing together, Harmonix members have high hopes for future performances.
“While we do not have anything lined up yet, we are hoping to perform at choir concerts and festivals, as well as at pop-up shows,” Jones said. “I am excited for Christmas caroling next winter and showing up at places around town to randomly perform.”
Harmonix is more than just joining an a cappella group – it encapsulates many members’ love for music.
“I love music because it allows people to understand different perspectives, and the various ways people have experienced life,” Wiezorek said. “I grew up with it as part of my identity, and it will allow me to continue to connect with that part of myself while sharing it with others.”
Harmonix leaders said they were excited to develop the group through expanding their executive board, ordering merchandise, booking performances and evolving together.
“This is such an important group to me because we get to begin to grow it again,” Jones said. “I love that music brings all people together, and I cannot wait to watch it grow and help it become a family of fun and laughter.”
A cappella can have many different effects, even serving as a basis for students’ futures.
“This group allows me to be driven in learning something new that relates to my future, and since I am the conductor, it helps me learn how to teach people music and how to select that music,” Wiezorek said. “This group will help UNK see that music is alive and well in the community and that anyone can benefit from listening to it.”
Performance updates will be shared on the UNK Harmonix Instagram @unk_harmonix.
