Troytone

Troytone
Choir
Origin	University of Southern California
Founded	2002
Genre	Collegiate A Cappella
Website	http://www.troytones.com

The Troy Tones are one of six collegiate a cappella groups at the University of Southern California. Founded in 2002 by three USC undergraduate students, the Troy Tones have become known on campus for their energetic, outlandish performances, complete with humorous songs and crazy costumes. The group is comprised of anywhere from 13 to 17 members, male and female, with a repertoire that encompasses an eclectic mix of oldies, popular music, rock, Disney hits and holiday classics, performed entirely without musical accompaniment. The Troy Tones have released two studio albums, Goodnight! and Too Soon? , and are currently recording their third album, to be released in 2011.

The group regularly performs on campus for various concerts and competitions, including All Hail A Cappella and Absolut A Cappella, as well as outside of the USC community, regularly competing in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. The Troy Tones have played numerous gigs in venues around the greater Los Angeles area, such as weddings, parties and Christmas caroling. In addition, the group has performed in many locations in California, including Santa Barbara, San Diego, and a joint concert with Stanford University's "Mixed Company" this past fall.

History

The Troy Tones were founded in October of 2002. The nine founding members held their first concert of four songs that December under the VKC Arches on USC's campus. At the end of that year, the Troy Tones debuted what would become two TT "classics," “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid and “I’ll Be There" by The Jackson 5.

The tradition of concerts centered around a theme emerged in 2003, with the group incorporating humorous costume pieces and particular songs from their repertoire for a unique performance. Themes usually have a popular culture influence, and past themes have included 80's punk rock, Survivor (TV series), Home Alone, The Hangover and, most recently, Jersey Shore.

The Troy Tones have competed in many collegiate a cappella competitions, ranging from USC's own Absolut A Cappella to the prestigious ICCAs. The group qualified to the semifinals of ICCAs in 2007 and received 2nd place in the quarter finals that year. The Troy Tones also placed 2nd overall at the 2010 Absolut A Cappella competition, including a 1st prize for musical director Ricardo Parra, who won "Best Arrangement" for Over the Rainbow.

Recordings

Goodnight!

• "Mad World" (Tears for Fears)
• "Fame" (Irene Cara)
• "Songbird"
• "How Will I Know?" (Whitney Houston)
• "I'll Be There" (The Jackson 5)
• "Push" (Matchbox Twenty)
• "Rainbow Connection" (Kermit the Frog)
• "I Miss You"

Too Soon?

• "We Built this City" (Starship)
• "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" (Josh Groban)
• "I'd Do Anything" (Simple Plan)
• "Breathe" (Michelle Branch)
• "Teenage Dirtbag" (Wheatus)
• "Foolish Games" (Jewel)
• "Any Way You Want It" (Journey)
• "(I Just) Died In Your Arms" (Cutting Crew)
• "Escape" (Enrique Iglesias)
• "Breakaway" (Kelly Clarkson)

Out of Control

• "Peace of Mind" (Boston)
• "Downfall" (Matchbox 20)
• "Circle of Life" (The Lion King)
• "The Show Must Go On" (Queen)
• "I Will Be" (Leona Lewis)
• "Comin' Home Baby" (Michael Buble ft. Boyz II Men)
• "Cowboy Casanova" (Carrie Underwood)
• "This Time" (John Legend)
• "Penny and Me" (Hanson)
• "Believe" (Yellowcard)
• "Over the Rainbow" (The Wizard of Oz)