Get to Know The Toccatatones: Q&A with the T-Tones President
By Courtney Wallen
Founded in 2001, the Toccatatones are High Point University’s all-male a cappella group. With some of the most dynamic personalities and mind-blowing performances, this group is definitely one to see. Just last year, the 11-voice crew performed at Carnegie Hall, invited by Pitch Perfect musical director, Deke Sharon. The Toccatatones got to sing with members from the movie and were one of two college groups invited to the sold out showcase. T-Tones president, senior Dylan Houseworth, previewed what’s to come for this year.
What do you guys have planned for the year?
Last year we recorded a CD that will be released early in this upcoming fall semester and will be available on Spotify and Apple Music. The title, date and track list will be dropped soon on our social media pages [Instagram: @toccatatones]. This year we will be travelling around to regional competitions, as well as strengthening our on-campus involvement and working closely with other groups. Although we don’t have any massive competitions planned yet, we tend to find out about them as they come up. This year will be focused on us redefining our sound and image.
How often do the T-Tones perform?
We don’t have a set performance schedule, but we try to have at least 1-2 performances per month to keep our name growing and to stay in practice. Our favorite performance of the year is always our Spring Concert, which happens in April of every year. This is a full concert for us that allows us to have a great lighting and sound system, an opening act, and a full 12-song set list. The audience always enjoys it and so do we!
What’s your favorite performance?
As far as favorite songs, we switch it up every year, but the most fun one is a Toccatatones classic called Cecilia, which was originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel. The audience always gets a kick out of that one.
What do you love most about being a part of the Toccatatones?
The singing is great and of course it is why we join, but nothing beats the brotherhood of it all. We are brothers, very similar to a fraternity, but in our own way. We all hang out after rehearsals and are always looking out for one another.
How can guys get involved?
Currently we have 11 members, but are looking to expand to about 15 guys. Every member is important and is selected for his own reasons/talents. Our rehearsal schedule changes by year, but typically it is four days a week for an hour and a half each with performances mixed in. But it’s based on availability of the members of that semester. Our group is strictly audition based. Auditions are held at the beginning of both semesters, but we strongly encourage any one who is interested to come out in the fall. Auditions will be held on September 1st at 6 PM in room 113 of the Fine Arts Center.
What’s a fun fact about Toccatatones that people should know?
I think everyone thinks we are all music majors who focus on nothing but music; however, this couldn’t be less true. Honestly, most of us are majors outside of music like chemistry or business. We are all involved in other groups and Greek life as well, but that doesn’t stop us from making music. We encourage any guy who even has a slight interest in singing or music to come out, as we do many different kinds of events, genres, and hangouts. In the end, we are just a group of fun-loving guys, so whether you want to join or even just go to one of our shows, if you like to have fun we are the group for you!
