The Rockapellas may never make the Top 40, but at least they know they are in the Top Four.
The all-female a cappella group is one of four groups nominated for best female album of the year by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America, and Alli Pope '97 is a finalist for best female soloist.
The group submitted their album "Think On These Things," which they released last fall, according to Rockapella Business Manager Inger Strand '97.
Strand said the group has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
"I've been told our first tape ... was recorded in a barn," she said. The nomination "may not seem like a big deal, but it is such a huge step for us."
Pope, who was nominated for best soloist for her performance of the song "Big Yellow Taxi," said her nomination is a "great honor but a big surprise."
In addition to their album's nomination for awards, the Rockapellas will participate in live competitions on Feb. 28 at Smith College. The live competition consists of 14 minutes of live performance, which will allow the group to perform about five songs, Director Abigail Augusta '98 said.
"We're working hard [preparing for the competition.] This is all pretty new to us," Augusta said. "We have never entered a competition before."
Strand said the group's repertoire includes "freedom songs" that contain messages about AIDS, domestic abuse, environmental issues and alcoholism.
"When the group was founded it was founded on the premise that we would sing songs that were fun and catchy, but that we also wanted to bring social awareness to the campus," Pope said.
Pope said she feels one of the most rewarding aspects of singing with the Rockapellas is getting audiences' reactions to "freedom songs."
"It is really great when people come up to you after the show and say 'That [song] really touched me and really meant something to me,'" Pope said.
