Deltones take on Hollywood
UD a cappella group to compete in NBC's 'The Sing-Off' this fall
6:31 p.m., Aug. 16, 2011--NBC announced Aug. 16 that The Deltones -- hailing from the University of Delaware -- will be one of 16 groups competing this September in season three of The Sing-Off.
“We’re so excited that a group like The Deltones is even considered for this,” said Avi Amon, a 2008 UD graduate and “Alumnitone.” The Deltones was selected from hundreds of groups across the country that auditioned for the show.
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“It all happened really quickly,” said Andrea O’Neill, incoming president of The Deltones. “This was so exciting for some of our graduating seniors who thought this past spring would be their last time singing with The Deltones.”
Five current Deltones were unable to make the venture to Hollywood, so O’Neill said they asked some of their most active Alumnitones to join them.
Amon, one of the alumni competing with the current Deltones, said the producers were most impressed with the tight bond between current Deltones and Alumnitones, as well as the group’s rich vocals.
“They really liked our traditional coed sound and were totally enthralled by the power-house singers we have in the group,” Amon said.
Having alumni who still return to UD to attend every Deltones concert, the producers of The Sing-Off said, was a special connection and brought a unique quality to the group.
For some of the Alumnitones, it had been three or four years since they last performed with the group, but Amon said they were thrilled to participate. “For the alumni who are singing, it’s special to have this opportunity.”
The group includes 10 alumni: Avi Amon, Jessica Carvo, Lou Ortiz, Keith Abrahamson, Morgan Nichols, Cortney Penta, Andrea Lopez, Chloe English, Cassie Grossman and Jared Weintrab, as well as five current UD students: Andrea O’Neill, Erica Schetter, Alex Bliziotis, Alyssa Dinardo and Walter Pendelton.
Founded in 1991 at UD as a registered student organization, The Deltones just celebrated its 20th anniversary this spring. Members of The Deltones arrange all of their own music and pride themselves on not only their musical talents but also their motto: “Friends first, singers second.”
“For a group like us, we’re happy being around campus and our alumni, so to be on national television is the most amazing thing in the world,” Amon said.
This season of The Sing-Off premieres on NBC at 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19. The Deltones will make its television debut in the second episode, airing Sept. 26. The winning group will receive $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music.
For updates or to show your support of the Deltones, visit the group's website, fan page on Facebook or tweet them @ilovedeltones.
Article by Meredith Chapman
Photos courtesy of The Deltones