Jessica Brady’18, Jessica Bai ’16: Onesie Direction, a new EA faculty singing group has made its debut to the Episcopal Academy community. The a capella group Onesie Direction has performed multiple times including performances at Open Mic Nights and the faculty-staff Christmas party.
Last August, before the start of the 2014-2015 school year, Upper School Biology teacher Annemarie Strange tried to seek out those who were interested in being a part of an EA faculty a capella singing group.
“For new teachers at school, a part of what they have to do is stand up in front of entire faculty and say their name and something about them. So, I said, “My name is Annemarie Strange and I am starting a teacher a capella group, so if you want to be in it, please email me,’” recalled Strange. “At first it was only a couple of people who came up and asked me about the group, but word kind of spread and now we have Dr. Dinkins and people from development and Middle School who heard it from the grapevine. I hope the grapevine gets bigger!”
Along with the fearless leader and organizer Strange, the core members of Onesie Direction are Upper School Spanish teacher Niall Doherty, Head of the Music Department Jim Erwin, Upper School History teacher Robert Maier, Upper School Math teacher Christopher Chung, Middle School teacher Lawrence Henderson, Assistant Director of the Episcopal Fund and Alumni Programs Stephanie Ottone, Upper School English teacher Sarah Baker, and Head of Upper School Delvin Dinkins.
When asked about the name, Dinkins replied, “Onesie Direction is a temporary name. It is sort of part joke and sort of part name. I believe it was the brainchild of Miss Strange. It was sort of a take on One Direction. As of now, I have no plans to wear a onesie. I don’t know if [the name] will stick.”
The lively group rehearses during lunch on Tuesday in the Crawford Campus Center Choir Room. “The performances are obviously great, but it’s nice to meet once a week and do something besides teaching and working,” remarked Chung. “It’s a nice break in the day.” However, regularly rehearsing during this time is generally difficult for many teachers. “The new year has been pretty hectic so we don’t have as much time to rehearse,” said Doherty. “Sometimes we’ve even had extra rehearsals.”
Photo courtesy of Chapel Rock Entertainment
There is a wide range of singing experience amongst the Onesie Direction members. Unlike for members like Robert Maier, Jim Erwin, and Delvin Dinkins who have college or high school a capella experience, this year would be the first for other members of the group.
“I’m a choir singer, but this is my first a capella group. It’s kind of neat for me to learn how to lead an a capella group alongside with being a part of it. Because the music is on the simpler side, we are able to switch up parts and have fun with it,” said Strange.
“I took voice lessons in high school for about half a year, but nothing like this. This is the first time I’ve been in an organized singing group,” admitted Chung. “It’s kind of difficult sometimes because everyone’s on a different level in terms of their voice. I grew up playing instruments so I know how to read music, but I can’t sight read as fast as some others can.”
Despite these issues, the group has been a great hit in the EA community with songs including “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” “Stand By Me,” and “I’m Yours” which are chosen by a voting process.
“I choose the songs based on what people want and try to keep everyone’s interests in mind,” said Strange. “In the beginning we started with some songs that were a little bit easier, but now we are working on harder songs. We just started working on ‘Help Me, Rhonda’s by the Beach Boys, and I’d really like to sing the national anthem, too.”
The group plans to perform their newly prepared songs before the school year ends. “There are a couple songs we didn’t get to perform that we prepared for in the fall,” mentioned Dinkins.
Strange concluded, “We’re here as a bunch of teachers who just love to sing and that’s what we want to do.”