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Witt men create a cappella singing group
(Source: The Wittenberg Magazine, Winter 2001 Issue)
It started as a casual conversation between four guys following the 1999 Wittenberg Choir tour. All choir members, the four discussed the possibility of starting an all-male a cappella group on campus.“I’ve wanted to be in a college a cappella group since I heard recordings of my father’s group,” said Justin Peters ’02.Ernie Spycher ’02, who had previously attended college at Michigan State and who sang with the Spartan Discords, said that he missed singing and that was why he was so excited to start such a group. A few weeks later, the four began asking other choir members about creating such a group. They soon found a “coach” in Rob Hall ’99, and shortly thereafter Dave Annett ’00, Lad Hudac ’01, Justin Dilley ’01, Robb Ristau ’02 and Kurt Lindamood ’02 joined them.They met at Hall’s house, where they practiced together for the first time to the tune of “Happy Birthday.” Then and there, they knew they had something special, and The Wittmen Crew was born.“The most important strength this group has is our overall music ability. This is the finest group of musicians that I have ever worked with,” said Spycher, president of the group.The Wittmen Crew is also fortunate to have alumnus Hall as the musical director, he added. Initially, the group ran into problems with the spelling of its name, but now the group is in demand on campus and off, providing entertainment at Wittenberg functions, churches, community events and festivals across Ohio.
The group performs a range of music, including the national anthem, sacred music, classic rock favorites, music of the ’80s and current arrangements of contemporary favorites.In 2000, the group gained two new members, Andy Butterfield ’02, and vocal percussionist, Justin Leach ’02. “I knew most of the guys just because they were visible all over campus,” Butterfield said. “It was an easy adjustment, and now they are my best friends.”
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In 2000, the group gained two new members, Andy Butterfield ’02, and vocal percussionist, Justin Leach ’02. “I knew most of the guys just because they were visible all over campus,” Butterfield said. “It was an easy adjustment, and now they are my best friends.”
In 2000, the group gained two new members, Andy Butterfield ’02, and vocal percussionist, Justin Leach ’02. “I knew most of the guys just because they were visible all over campus,” Butterfield said. “It was an easy adjustment, and now they are my best friends.”
The members of the Wittmen Crew are also active on Wittenberg’s campus, involved in such areas as intramural sports, Pocket Lint, the executive staff on WUSO radio, the Wittenberg choir, Greek life and theatre.Just this fall, the group welcomed three new members, bringing the current total to 11. They included: Adam Lue ’04, Ryan Kerr ’04, and Matt
Woods-Koppitch ‘ 04, who filled the tenor position vacated by David Annett,
who graduated in 1999.
The Wittmen Crew recently performed its Christmas concert in the Ness Auditorium, Dec. 2-3, and provided entertainment at the Columbus
Holiday party, Nov. 30.
“We are just 11 guys who get along and like to sing,” Lindamood said. — Justin Dilley ’01
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The WittMen Crew is Wittenberg University's all-men's a capella group. The Crew performs everything from sacred hymns to classic rock to current top-40 hits. Want to hear clips from the WittMen Crew? Click here to go to the Music page.
The Original WittMen Crew
(Photo Courtesy of
The Wittenberg Magazine)
History
