mosaic whispers

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About Mosaic Whispers

Mosaic Whispers is the oldest co-ed a cappella group at Washington University in St. Louis and has been bringing innovative co-ed a cappella to the St. Louis area since its founding in 1991. In the spring of 1991, P. Daniel Newman, Jason Coryell, Brian Stephenson, Liz Radford, Josh Einsohn, Devorah Rosner, and Lora Norback came together at Washington University’s famous Thurtene Carnival to perform for carnival attendees. They loved it so much that in fall 1991 the group returned to hold auditions and sing a cappella music under an official name – Mosaic Whispers, becoming Washington University’s first co-ed a cappella group. 2006 marks the 15th Anniversary of Mosaic Whispers, and in those fifteen years since Whispers formed, 89 unique individuals have been dubbed “Whispers,” including our very newest members.

Over the last few years, Whispers has gained national recognition with appearances on four national a cappella compilations, including CAMO’s (Collegiate A Cappella Music Association) Top Shelf A Cappella: Volume 1 in 2005, BOCA 2002 (Best of College A Cappella), Voices Only 2005, and the CARA Awards Compilation 2002 (Contempory A Cappella Recording Association), Mosaic Whispers also has made a name at the ICCA (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella), where the group advanced to the Regional Level last year for the third time. In October 2004, with Washington University hosting the Second Presidential Debate, Whispers was also honored to perform on two live broadcasts of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews for a national audience of millions. In addition to their live performances, Mosaic Whispers has produced seven studio albums to date, including a 10th Anniversary Album “Vested Interest” and the award-winning “Against the Grain.” The latest album, “Defrosted,” was released in February 2004 and has garnered outstanding reviews. The groups’ eighth studio album, “Behind Bars” will be released at Splash of Color 2007 and features an amazing collection of songs recorded over the last 3 years. All of the Whispers’ studio releases can be purchased all at live performances in the Washington University Campus Store, or here.

The group performs regularly on campus and around St. Louis throughout the year and also tours extensively. Most recently the group has traveled to Philadelphia, PA, Texas, Grand Rapids, MI, Washington, DC, Memphis, TN, Denver, CO, Madison, WI, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, and New York, NY, representing Washington University and performing for audiences of all ages. In 2006-2007 Mosaic Whispers will travel to Springfield, IL for fall tour in October and San Antonio, TX for our annual spring break tour in March. Whispers also hosts an annual concert in March, Splash of Color, bringing in guest groups from Washington University and campuses across the country as well as many of our alumni. This year, Splash was a special celebration of our 15th Anniversary, featuring not only an amazing new set of songs, but also the release of our new album! This year, Splash will be March 2 and 3 in Graham Chapel, at 7:30pm. For more information on tours, Splash, and hiring information, check out the repertoire, splash, and contact sections of the website.
Please check out our albums and we hope to see you soon at a live show!

A Reflection on Mosaic Whispers: (from Vested Interest)

Mosaic Whispers has always been about one very simple idea: having fun with each other through music. We are, all of us – no matter how much we complain about rehearsal, about the repertoire, about having to wear vests (the early group wore multi-colored vests as their uniform…the group today performs in blue and black ensembles) – just crazy in love with singing. Specifically, with singing together. The group embraces the true diversity – personal and musical – of its membership. We’ve never been satisfied with sticking to a single musical style; eclecticism is the norm. The list of artists we’ve covered would raise your eyebrows no matter how open a musical mind you have.

In a group where veterans leave and new members arrive each year, it is unbelievably difficult to forge a new identity and simultaneously build upon previous successes. It is a testament to the talent and dedication of the members of the group that, without fail, the group has improved musically and structurally every single year since its inception.

Of course, as memories of the details fade, it’s not the songs that stick in our minds as much as the people that we sang them with. A simple idea has grown into what no one could have ever predicted…a family. The Mosaic Whispers of 2004 would be musically unrecognizable to the group 10 years earlier, but there is a common thread that has never been broken. We all love to sing. We have fun singing together. This brings us together even still, as every year – at Splash of Color, the Whispers’ annual concert –dozens and dozens of alumni gather from across the country for no other reason than to visit with old friends and watch the current group perform. We meet for the first or fortieth time and revel in each other’s presence. The music is a gift…the people and the family are a miracle.