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1.) TREBLE IN PARADISE -

Treble in Paradise is AU's only all-female a cappella group, and can list singer-songwriter Ben Folds as a fan. In 2009, the piano man personally selected the ladies of Treble as the winners of his "Sing Your Heart Out" competition. The group recorded an a cappella version of Folds' hit "Zac and Sara" and opened for his Baltimore show.

Treble has established itself in the local a cappella community, performing at events both on-campus and around the city. Plenty of a cappella groups can cite "Glee" as an influence, but Treble has sang with the cast of the hit show at a special performance on the National Mall for Fox News. The group's repertoire includes pop hits by Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and, yes, Ben Folds.

Every spring, Treble hosts Acapalooza, the largest AU a cappella event of the year. Acapalooza brings together the AU a cappella groups to perform alongside other university a cappella groups, spoken word artists and dance performances, all in support of a chosen charity. With a CD in the works, keep an eye out for Treble's next on-campus performance.

2.) ON A SENSUAL NOTE -

There's no mistaking the gang of tie-sporting men that roam campus, singing tuck-ins to swooning females. On A Sensual Note, AU's all-male a cappella group, have no interest in dishing out humorless covers of jazz standards.
OASN, a self-proclaimed "group of guys in ties doin' what feels right," are known for their comical performances to the extent that they even require students who audition to crack jokes. OASN's dedication to a cappella is evident in every song they sing, as displayed in the touching rendition of "Lean on Me" they recently performed at AU's Sept. 11 candlelight vigil.

In OASN's 15 years (check out a comprehensive record of their history on their website) the men have recorded three CDs and performed all over the area. OASN has also lent their voices to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Singapore Embassy and the Barack Obama campaign, as well as other events both on and off campus.
OASN sings a variety of genres, including songs by Kanye West, the Jackson Five and the Who. The group performs on campus several times each semester, so don't miss your chance to see their Lady Gaga medley.

3.) DIME A DOZEN

Dime a Dozen is AU's oldest co-ed a cappella group and has been around since 2000.
The origin of their name started off as an ironic reference to the myriad of a cappella groups forming at AU, but 10 years later, Dime is bigger than ever, performing for crowds both at AU and all over the East Coast. On campus, Dime sang in support of Relay for Life, and every year, the group delivers ever-popular Valentines Day Grams.

Dime is known for their versatile style and high energy, boasting an impressive repertoire that includes everything from Billy Joel and the Beatles, to Ke$ha and the Lonely Island. The group's a cappella philosophy? Keep it simple.

"We don't need instruments, electronics or special effects to make amazing music and put on shows that people love," said Rachel Mariman, the group's musical director.

The AU a cappella veterans recently added several new members to the group, affectionately called "nickels," so stay tuned for performances from Dime's new lineup.

4.) BLENDS WITH BENEFITS

Blends with Benefits is the newest addition to the AU a cappella community. A co-ed group founded in January 2011, Blends puts a spin on the a cappella tradition by integrating piano, ukulele and percussion into their arrangements.
The group solely prefers pop, blues, alternative and jazz and are in the process of arranging TV theme songs. Coldplay's "Fix You," Sara Bareilles' "King of Anything" and a drum-bolstered version of Florence and the Machine's "Cosmic Love" are regular staples in Blends' performances.

Blends has a few on-campus performances under their belt, appearing at AU's Got Talent and fundraising for Relay for Life. The group may be young, but their camaraderie and love of singing is evident.
"My favorite thing about singing a cappella is being able to create music with the people that have come to be my family," Blends Director Maggie McGuire said. "I've been in choruses and choirs for most of my life, but nothing compares to what we make happen in Blends."