It’s a Tuesday afternoon and the soulful sounds of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder are filling up Riley Auditorium.
Instead of being stuck in a classroom desk, the 13 members of the Anticipations, Otterbein’s own pop-rock band, are gathered in Riley Auditorium preparing for their upcoming performance.
The Anticipations’ next concert is Saturday in Battelle 131 at 8 p.m. Otterbein music students can receive concert credit for attending.
The concert will serve as a CD release party for the band. The album will consist of songs that the group has performed throughout the year.
Music instructor and group founder Eric Van Wagner directs student vocalists Megan Ott, Eric Wolff, Hannah Brooks, Tasha Thompson, Caitlyn MacKay and Caleigh Farnsley; guitarists Ben Canton and Isaac Maupin; trumpet player Matt Hogue; bass player Paul Baker; keyboardist T.C. Kincer; vibraphone player Rebecca Fremer; and percussionist Alex Hayes.
The members of the Anticipations change each year because technically it is a class, and any student can sign up. For students who don’t normally have the opportunity to perform in public and show off their talents, being part of this group offers a chance to do so, and as a bonus they earn half a credit hour.
Most recently, the group performed at Java Central; The Old Bag of Nails Pub; Expresso Yourself Cafe in Powell, Ohio; and The Grand Valley Dale Ballroom in Columbus.
“It’s nice to have the more intimate performances so the people can get the sounds, and see what’s going on with the musicians’ fingers. I like being able to see my audience and their reactions,” Ott said.
Kincer and Ott suggested holding auditions for the group to make it more “exclusive.”
“It’s the only pop-rock group at Otterbein, and we do some semi-higher-profile venues,” Kincer said.
The students involved in this group come from diverse musical backgrounds and bring a varied array of experience, vocal and instrumental skills.
From the Jackson 5’s “ABC” to Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” the group emphasizes variation in its performances and jumps from era to era, enabling them to appeal to audiences of varying ages.
“My favorite thing about Anticipations is getting to sing different genres in a classically oriented college music program,” Wolff said. His passion for performing is reflected not only in his words, but also in the way he took the stage.
Farnsley was inspired to write an original song, which will be performed by the group at future concerts, making it the first original song to be showcased by the band this year.
Mike Johnson, an Otterbein graduate and former member of the group, has since recorded a few studio albums and leaves for an international tour with the Independents in May for their 20th anniversary tour.
He said he looks back fondly on his time with Anticipations.
“I miss the Music and Romance Motown set the most,” Johnson said.
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