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RUSH PITCHES & TONES

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Welcome!

We’re so excited that you’re interested in acapella and we can’t wait to meet you this fall.

We welcome singers of all levels to come and try out! Whether you’ve been singing for years or just want to try something new, we want to hear your voice. We’ve had singers of all types of backgrounds join Pitches & Tones, from freshman to seniors, from China to Connecticut—and we’d love to have you too!

Pitches & Tones is one of the newest members of the Yale Singing Group Council (SGC), an umbrella organization that represents 17 undergraduate a cappella groups. The SGC organizes rush, along with other events throughout the year. More information about rush and a cappella at Yale can be found at the SGC’s rush website.

Don’t hesitate to shoot us any questions you may have – we’re always happy to talk to you!

Pitch <3,

Rush Managers 2025-26

Rush Timeline
August 30, 2025

Woolsey Jam

This is the first acapella event of the year, where you’ll get to hear all the undergraduate acapella groups perform. Each group will perform one song, and it’s a great way to experience all the groups! This event will be held at Woolsey Hall.

September 1,2025

Marsh Jam

In the second jam, each group performs two songs. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to sign up for auditions! Couldn’t make it? No worries, shoot the rush managers an email or contact the SGC and we’ll give you an audition slot. This event will be held at Marsh Lecture Hall.

September 4-7, 2025

Auditions

We will be holding auditions between September 5-8. Click here for details about what an audition for Pitches & Tones looks like!

September 7-14, 2025

Rush Meals (Optional)

If you receive a callback from us, you have the opportunity to sign up for a rush meal with some of our members! (Note: Rush meals are completely optional and merely a way for you to learn more about the group!)

September 12, 2025

Singing Dessert

Between auditions and callbacks, Pitches & Tones perform a full-length set and offer you free food! This is your best chance to get a feel for the kind of music we perform and our group dynamic. We will be performing at 6 in Hopper Cabaret!

September 13-14, 2025

Callbacks

If we think we need to hear you again, we’ll send you an invite for a callback audition! Callbacks are very similar in format to your first audition, but we’ll email you the specific information you’ll need to know when we notify you of your callback invitation.

September 17, 2025

Tap Night

After your callback, your job is done! The final acapella rush event is Tap Night, which is when a capella groups will officially tap you!

Audition Process

1. Warmup

We’ll sing together through some brief warmup exercises

2. Vocal Range Test

You’ll sing up, then down the scale in half-note increments with a piano

3. Hearing Test

We’ll play short note sequences on the piano and you’ll sing them back to us.

4. Blending Exercise

You’ll sing “Say You Love Me” (Soprano/Alto) or “Aura Lee” (Tenor/Bass) with us in a full SATB group.

click here for sheet music and audio files.

5. Solo

Sing a solo of your choice! Choose whatever you want, we’re interested in hearing your voice!

6. Callbacks

If we feel that we need to hear you another time before making our decision, we’ll contact you to schedule a callback audition

YOUR RUSH MANAGERS

christina.ma@yale.edu

Christina

sophia.mcmanus@yale.edu

Sophia

emerson.shi@yale.edu

Emerson

stephanie.alvaradocortes@yale.edu

Stephanie

noah.beckish@yale.edu

Noah

FAQ

What genres of music does Pitches & Tones focus on?

Pitches and Tones’ repertoire is diverse and ranges from pop and rock to alternative and R&B. Our music is entirely arranged by our members and we’re constantly experimenting with different genres. We even have covers of Disney music and that one arrangement of the 2012 viral track “Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf” (it’s a long story).

What are some distinguishing features of Pitches & Tones?

Pitches & Tones is Yale’s second-youngest acapella group at a decade old. We’re still growing, and we still have the flexibility to shape the musical direction and culture of the group. Right now, we’re producing new arrangements at an amazing rate, sharing our love of music with each other and creating new group traditions as we go on. We’re enthusiastic and quirky and can’t wait to see where this group goes in a few years, with the help of our new tap classes!

What kind of musical experience do I need to join?

We don’t care if you’ve never been trained in music and your closest encounter with a cappella was watching Pitch Perfect – come audition anyway! Our current members come from all sorts of musical (or not) backgrounds. Just know that whether you’re a trained and seasoned performer or a shower singer, Pitches & Tones has something for you.

Do I need to be able to sight-read to sing with Pitches & Tones?

Not at all! In fact, not all current members of Pitches knew how to sight read before they joined. If you can’t sight read, it will not be held against you, and it certainly won’t prevent you from being able to learn our music and perform with us.