Germantown Friends’ annual A Cappella fest features songs by fun., Frank Ocean and more [Video]

This weekend, Germantown Friends School hosted its annual A Capella Fest at the Loeb Performing Arts Center, an event for which tickets are sold two weeks in advance for those eager to watch singing ensembles that have stepped up the competition with dance routines, costumes and light shows in an attempt to outdo each other.

“I tell you,” said show manager Mary Ann Case, “it gets better and better every year.”

Saturday night’s performances — the lineup included Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Hilltones and Laurelei, Penn Charter Quaker’s Dozen and the Keystone State Boychoir — featured arrangements of songs by artists including Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and LMFAO.

The home team

The home school’s performers prepared for the show during lunch periods several times a week, coupled with weekend rehearsals.

Graduating senior Rebecca Blaich, 18, is the group’s student director.

“We’ve been working really hard this whole year,” said Blaich. “I’m a little upset it’s my last Fest. We love each other, and are really like a family.”

Blaich’s mother said she is happy to see several area schools participate in the show.

“I think it’s great that parents in other areas support the arts,” said Mary Blaich.

Haley Kmetz and Taisje Claiborne are students at Temple University. Philadelphia Neighborhoods, a NewsWorks content partner, is an initiative of the Temple Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab.