Lincoln, Neb--Glenn Korff School of Music junior James Rasser has been cast in Hyannis Sound, a premier 10-piece professional a cappella group that tours Cape Cod, Massachusetts, during the summer.
“I absolutely love singing and arranging a cappella music so auditioning for this group was a no-brainer,” said Rasser, who is the music director and three-year member of UNL’s Bathtub Dogs a cappella group. “Another big part of Hyannis Sound is the alumni network and its connections to the popular music industry and music production industry.”
Jamie Reimer Seaman, the Richard H. Larson Professor of Music and Voice Area Head in the Glenn Korff School of Music, said this experience is just the start of his promising musical career.
“James is a ‘complete package’ student—talented, intelligent and kind,” she said. “He commits completely to each opportunity presented to him and enthusiastically works to make himself better every day. He has creatively combined his love of singing in diverse genres such as opera, musical theatre and pop music with an interest in music technology to create a unique educational experience that meets his goals. I do not doubt that James’ experience with Hyannis Sound is just the beginning of an exciting career.”
Rasser was staying in an Airbnb in Boston when he got the call saying he had made the group. Five of the group’s 10 spots were filled through this year’s audition process, which included three rounds of auditions, including a live final round in Boston.
“I remember reminiscing on the rejections, doubt and, most of all, growth I had to go through the previous years in order to make this group,” he said. “It took me three years of auditioning to make Hyannis Sound because of its competitive nature, so I was truly grateful and proud.”
Rasser will move in at the end of May during Memorial Day weekend and will be in Cape Cod until mid-August.
“We start the summer by rehearsing for six hours a day to prepare a ton of music. We average 1.25 gigs per day throughout the entire summer and continue to rehearse and learn new music throughout the three months,” he said.
Rasser said each member in Hyannis Sound has their own musical calling.
“Some record music, some play classical piano, some are drummers, some perform on Broadway,” he said. “I’m going to learn so much from what each guy has to offer, and the musical growth from that is something I can’t wait to experience.”
Rasser, who is from Papillion, Nebraska, said his three years in Bathtub Dogs has also helped him grow.
“I can’t express enough how much I’ve grown in this group,” he said. “It has made me a better human, collaborator, performer, arranger and musical director. Not to mention I’ve made best friends for life.”
Rasser has also been involved in UNL Opera and Nebraska Repertory Theatre productions, including “Culture! Culture!,” “Dialogues of The Carmelites” and “Urinetown” and he will be in this spring’s Nebraska Repertory Theatre production of “Bright Star.”
Rasser said the best part about a cappella is that it is written to be singable.
“The human voice is also so capable of making a million different sounds that emulate instruments or make you feel something, which is so fun to do with a group of other people,” he said.
He is looking forward to his experience with Hyannis Sound.
“I’m beyond excited to represent UNL in Massachusetts this summer,” Rasser said.
