By Steve Seepersaud
After an absence of nearly three years, the sounds of Binghamton’s a cappella groups filled the air in Manhattan's Central Park. About 200 people — a mix of students, alumni, friends and family — attended the 27th annual A Cappella in the Park June 4. Because of the pandemic, this event had not occurred in the preceding two years.
Seven of Binghamton's nine a cappella groups appeared: The Binghamton Crosbys, The Binghamtonics, No Strings Attached, Note to Self, The Rhythm Method, The Treblemakers and The Vibes. The students were happy to share the grassy stage with alumni who never lost their love of performing.
Shawn Weil '98 was a member of The Binghamtonics as a student and sang with the current group at the event.
"This is something I look forward to every year, and I'm disappointed if I'm not able to make the trip down from Massachusetts to be there," Weil said. "It's an opportunity to relax and sing with old friends in a beautiful setting. As a relative old-timer, this event is a great way to connect with students and recent alumni. I was at the first A Cappella in the Park when I was a student, and it's amazing this wonderful tradition has continued for almost three decades! This year, I brought my 12- and 14-year-old sons, who enjoyed the music and the park."
Liam Coen '21 performed with Note to Self as an undergraduate. He lives in Queens and is enrolled in Binghamton's Manhattan-based master's program in systems science and industrial engineering.
"This is such a great event that brings generations together in a fun and relaxed environment," Coen said. "This year was special as a recent alumnus and because of the long layoff for this event. I saw many old friends in person for the first time in more than two years, especially peers from the classes of 2020 and 2021, whom I was not able to see at performances and gatherings as I did so often before the pandemic. I'm grateful for the opportunity to rekindle relationships and excited to develop new relationships with other alumni."
For alumni who attended the Central Park event and want to see friends again, as well as those who weren’t able to join the fun in Manhattan, an all a cappella reunion is planned for Homecoming weekend in Binghamton, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 7-9. This will be the first time all a cappella groups will come together on campus.