Time Check and the Sirens serenade PAR

Have you ever played background music in your head and sang the lyrics out loud? I bet you thought you were good, singing while creating your own music. Well, I attended a concert recently that incorporated that concept. The only difference was that this concert included people who are actually talented. I'm referring to the concert that took place on Oct. 28 in the Performing Arts Room of the Student Center, which featured the only two a cappella groups at Marist, Time Check and The Sirens. Both groups performed two sets,, with Time Check performing first. The group opened with "Another Irish Drinking Song," followed with "For the Longest Time." They closed the set with a fan favorite, "Stacy's Mom."

The second set consisted of four songs, including one of the group's newest songs, "Jessie's Girl." They concluded their performance with "It's All Been Done".

Time Check Director Bill Serpe said that it went "way better than expected. I've always had reservations about the way we sound in the PAR, but I thought the group sounded great."

Not to worry though, you didn't miss your only opportunity to listen to Time Check perform. Although the group only performs one concert per semester, they sing at whichever events they are needed at, such as fundraiser and other various events or projects. In fact, the group recently performed a "Floor Tour" in the freshman dorms in order to help them learn and re-learn some of their music.

I guess one of the best things about Time Check, besides their actual talent, is their level of comfort and enjoyment while performing. They see every performance as an opportunity to improve.

As junior Andrew Clinkman said, "Time Check was founded on being musical and enjoying doing it.music is second nature and our performances are just like our rehearsals."

Learn more about Time Check and stay updated on upcoming performances by checking out the group's website at www.time-check.net. You can also become a fan of Time Check on Facebook.

Having the opportunity to listen to one of these groups would have been good enough, but getting two in one night was more than one could ask for.

The Sirens, like Time Check, performed two sets opening with "One Fine Day," followed by "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," and closed with "Heaven is a Place on Earth."

The second set was comprised of four songs, beginning with "Mercy" and concluding with "Turn the Beat Around." The set also included "Like a Prayer" and "And So it Goes."

Don't start kicking yourself over the fact that you missed such a great concert. The PAR was so packed that you may not even of gotten a seat anyway.

"We were just really excited about the size of the crowd," said sophomore Jade Brewer, who had a solo in the group's opening song, "One Fine Day." The group will have multiple small performances throughout the year, concluding with its' final concert in the spring.

Similar to Time Check, I think the fact that these girls enjoy singing so much makes them so much more enjoyable to listen to.

"We don't get priority points for doing this," said sophomore Annie Frenzel, who had a solo in "Like a Prayer." "We just do it because we love singing."

Learn more about the Sirens by viewing their website at www.thesirens-song.net. If you have any ques contact them at thelovelysirens@gmail.com.

Both groups will perform for an Alzheimer's Association fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 22 in the Cabaret, but you would be wise to keep your ears open between now and then. You never know when you will be fortunate enough to hear the voices of Time Check and the Sirens.