Olivia Stubbs

Features Editor

For most people, January is the worst month of the year. With below-freezing temperatures, sunsets at five p.m., and midterms in sight, joy can be hard to come by. Luckily, here at R.J. Reynolds High School, we have found the cure to the winter blues. That’s right, the Reynolds A Cappella Jam was back for its eighteenth consecutive year this January, and not only were the performances outstanding, but the energy was through the roof.

   This year, RJR A Cappella students went above and beyond in preparation for the event. Leaders in each group chose songs, arranged them to be sung in a cappella, and led rehearsals.

“One of our responsibilities is to make tracks for each voice part,” junior Lilly Greene, co-leader of the Reynolds group Syncopate, said. “Then, they can listen to their voice part track and practice with their music.”

   For certain students, song preparation was accompanied by other facets of planning. As the A Cappella Social Media Manager, senior Davis Churn helped 

   “Jam is very heavily student-led,” Churn said. “So, that means that we had a business and social media team that managed all the marketing and made sure people went. Then, all of our groups were responsible for rehearsing over break and learning our music at home.”

   Since students are given the opportunity to put together most of the Jam themselves, RJR A Cappella teacher Joshua Settlemyre takes on a different role for the event.

   “My job is to kind of get out of the way and just let the students facilitate as much as they can,” Settlemyre said. “I’m kind of like a guide on the side. I’m there to problem-solve when needed.”

   Once the plans were set and the songs were all polished, A Cappella Jam began at seven p.m. on January 13th. Around 1,200 students, alums, and members of the Winston-Salem community filed into the historic R.J. Reynolds Auditorium.

   “I helped open the show with my friends MacKenzie [Clegg] and Nina [Howards],” Churn said. “I just remember stepping on the stage and looking out on the audience, and it wasn’t anything I’ve ever seen at any performance that I’ve done here at the school. We just had a record turnout.” 

   Almost every seat was filled; the marketing of the student leaders had paid off.  After a short introduction, the lights dimmed, and performances began. 

    The event featured all four RJR A Cappella groups – X, Syncopate, Aca Fellas, and Treble – along with college groups like the UNC Greensboro Chariots, the NC State Ladies in Red, and more. The Chariots, specifically, have a special link to RJR.

 “The Chariots have a lot of Reynolds A Cappella alumni,” Churn said. “I think five of their members used to be in Reynolds A Cappella, so seeing them back on stage with us was pretty cool. It was really exciting to perform with them and share the stage.”

   Each group performed a set of three songs, carefully arranged, practiced, and prepared for their debut at Jam. Some of the most notable song choices for this year were “Don’t Blame Me” by Taylor Swift, performed by Syncopate, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass, performed by Aca Fellas, and “Say Something” by A Big Great World performed by Treble.

   “RJR groups did a great job,” Settlemyre said. “They were high contenders with the college groups.”

   The opportunity to perform alongside experienced and accomplished groups is an invaluable part of Jam for many RJR A Cappella singers.

   “Jam gives you something to compare yourself to,” Greene said. “It gives you connections, which is nice, but it also gives you a motive to get better.”

   After the show, the groups exited backstage, emanating feelings of accomplishment.

   “I thought that all of our groups were really strong,” Churn said. “I felt really proud of Fellas, but also our other groups like Syncopate, X, and Treble. The audience seemed to like it, and I was just really happy that we represented Reynolds like we did.”

   As a senior, this was Churn’s last Jam at RJR. It showcased the progress that he and others have made throughout their years involved in the program, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

   “I was super proud of the Aca Fellas,” Churn said. “That was our best performance to date while I’ve been here. I thought we were really strong, and the crowd seemed to love us… Art programs everywhere suffered pretty heavily during COVID, so for us to really be back, performing where we should and where we need to be, it was really special.”

   Months of preparation and diligent teamwork culminated in a rewarding night for all those involved. RJR A Cappella continues to thrive, and it’s safe to say they have a bright future ahead.