UAB’s Beyond Measures, the premier a cappella group on campus since 2015, have been working hard in their organization before and during COVID.
Beyond Measures is an undergraduate registered student organization that is open to any undergraduate student at UAB wanting to explore their interest in singing.
The members’ majors range from immunology to anthropology to musical theatre. Each member has a different level of musical knowledge, allowing for a diverse group of students.
Meghana Jamched, a junior majoring in immunology and a member of this organization, says that Beyond Measures started as a way to be involved with music on campus.
“The group was created out of a want for an alternative way to sing and get involved with music on campus without needing to find the time and space to attend music classes,” said Jamched.
Anyone interested in singing is allowed to audition for Beyond Measures, and membership in the organization lasts for as long as they maintain a desire to sing.
Beyond Measures tries to find opportunities to perform in various ways.
“Beyond Measures usually performs on campus or near campus,” said Jamched. “We wanted to make Beyond Measures as accessible to our community as possible.”
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, these students are finding ways to perform with their new restrictions.
“Since March of last year, we have participated in some virtual events, usually sending in recordings of our performances,” said Jamched. “We have also partnered with the Wellness Center on their SHOW campaign to spread awareness of COVID safety on campus.”
Along with several concerts throughout the year, Beyond Measures is spending much of their rehearsal time preparing for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella.
“Beyond Measures has competed in ICCA almost every year since 2016, learning and growing from the experience each time,” Jamched said.
Logan Cobb, a junior majoring in both political science and anthropology, is the music director of Beyond Measure. He says the most important moment with the group was performing at ICCA in Athens, Georgia.
“The most monumental moment for our group so far was definitely our performance at the 2020 ICCA in Athens, Georgia,” said Jamched. “We really performed to the best of our abilities with our entire team. It was such a beautiful time making music with other college students.
Jamched says the most important moment for her in this organization is any moment before a performance.
“I think there is a moment before every performance, that the knowledge that all of our hard work that was put in between classes and after school was finally paying off,” said Jamched. “Since Beyond Measures is so young, doing things that long established teams also do is such a novel and exciting feeling,” she said.
Jamched also said that being able to sing was always a good time.
“I was given the opportunity to meet so many new people and join an intimate environment that was so conducive to being yourself. There was no pressure to do anything other than sing and have a good time,” said Jamched.
Cobb said this organization has allowed him to form bonds with his teammates and grow.
“I have grown with Beyond Measures through my leadership experience on the team — experience that will help me in my career and life. That, I am forever grateful to have received. But nothing compares to the bond I have made with my teammates,” said Cobb.
