January 23, 2015
What happens when you pack twelve overzealous a cappella singers into one Hamilton van for four days, complete with Taylor Swift’s 1989 and Beyoncé’s Beyoncé? Why, Duelly Noted’s annual winter tour, of course! On Jan. 8th, Hamilton College’s newest, award-winning, a cappella group embarked on its fifth annual tour throughout the Northeast.
The group arrived on campus the evening of Jan. 7, and after reunionin (and welcoming back junior Joanie Frost from her semester abroad in Madrid), they set out the morning of Jan. 8. First stop: Chango Elementary School in senior member Ryan Dorey’s hometown of Ballston Spa, NY. Duelly performed at a school assembly for K-5 students, showing off their child-friendly repertoire including The Lion King’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Telephone Medley,” as well as a few holiday melodies. The evening was spent exploring the streets of Saratoga Springs and relaxing in its coffee shops. During that time, Duelly also gave a surprise performance of “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” at a local bookshop.
The next day, the group once again packed shoulder to shoulder into the van and traveled to Providence, RI to perform at a Providence Bruins hockey game after a brief stop at senior Katie Puccio’s home in Norfolk, MA. This was Duelly’s first time singing at a major sporting event, and quite an exciting experience for its members. After enjoying the first two periods of the game (and being given complementary Providence Bruins hats), Duelly performed its “Telephone Medley,” arranged by Hamilton alumnus Will Robertson ’14, to an audience of thousands. The group then spent the night in senior Molly Voigt’s home in Barrington, RI.
Early the next morning, members once again packed their bags and began their journey to the tour’s final performance in senior Brian Evans’ hometown of Essex Junction, VT. Duelly performed a full set at The First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, kicking off with Evans’ senior solo “Stacey’s Mom/Jesse’s Girl.” The group also helped to raise $812 through the free-will offering for Our Heavenly Food Pantry held at the church during the performance. When the performance concluded, Duelly spent its last night of the tour wandering the beautiful streets of Burlington, VT, where they all indulged in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream monstrosity known as “The Vermonster.” The morning of Sunday, Jan. 11, the group traveled back to Hamilton to attend choir musical rehearsals, prepare for classes and settle back into the campus for the upcoming semester.
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