‘Jam Packed!’: Harvard A Cappella Takes Center Stage

With finals season in sight, a full house of Harvard students, faculty, and members of the wider community gathered in Sanders Theatre on Dec. 5 for “Jam Packed!” — a four-and-a-half-hour showcase featuring five student-run undergraduate a cappella groups.

Although Harvard’s a cappella scene is no stranger to collaborative, jam-style performances, this concert was especially notable for the sheer number of groups participating, with The Fallen Angels, The Din and Tonics, The Callbacks, The LowKeys, and The Radcliffe Pitches all performing full sets.

Each group had the opportunity to showcase their unique style and flair through a mix of signature songs, fresh arrangements, and alumni features. The Fallen Angels, an upper-voice group focused on contemporary repertoire, kicked off the concert with a collection of both classic and modern pop songs. Their performance featured a cappella renditions of Hozier’s “Work Song,” Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never,” and Lizzy McAlpine’s “doomsday,” with every member of the group having the opportunity to feature as a soloist.

The Fallen Angels were then followed by the LowKeys, a contemporary all-gender group founded in 1999. Their set was heavily influenced by multiple generations of R&B music and included performances of Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby” and Heart’s “Alone” (originally written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly), the latter featuring their alumni from across the past two decades.

Speaking to The Crimson about “Jam-Packed,” LowKeys president Pavitra Balachundhar ’27 expressed the challenges associated with coordinating choreography and arrangements for such a varied and packed event.

“There’s a lot happening in the background of our songs, and we typically really enjoy doing that very rhythmically intense stuff,” Balachundhar said. “Everyone is just very down to earth and happy to do whatever is needed for the group.”

Balachundhar also reflected on how a cappella has shaped her and so many others’ college experience, providing both immense artistic growth and a strong support network.

“They’re kind of my family here on campus,” Balachundhar said. “We have a lot of rehearsals every week, so we really get to know each other, but they’re some of my best friends here as well.”

The next group to take stage was The Callbacks, an R&B-centric group founded in 1986 by Morgan Inniss and Craig Hickman in their freshman year. Their set featured performances of Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Wither’s classic soul tune “Just the Two of Us,” Olivia Dean’s hit single “Man I Need,” and “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5.

The last two groups of the concert — The Radcliffe Pitches and The Din and Tonics — were distinctive in their commitment to preserving the jazz tradition. The Radcliffe Pitches, a treble a cappella ensemble initially founded at Radcliffe College and the Hasty Pudding Club in 1975, performed a mix of classics from the “Great American Songbook” such as “Cheek to Cheek” by Irving Berlin and “Georgia on My Mind” by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, as well as more modern songs such as “Hypotheticals” by Lake Street Dive.

Closing the concert was The Din and Tonics, a mixed-voice group distinguished by their jazz-inflected sound and effervescent choreography. Their set included jazz classics such as “It Don’t Mean a Thing” by Duke Ellington and even medleys of John Williams’ soundtracks and “Clair de lune”/ “Moon River.”

According to Khang D. Nguyen ’27, president of the Din & Tonics, this performance was a unique opportunity to both collaborate with fellow groups on campus as well as prepare for their upcoming winter tour.

“We are looking at a grand and very flexible set with a lot of new arrangements, but also old-time classics that are easily recognisable because we will be touring in the summer,” Khang said. “We want it to be applicable to as many different audiences as possible.”

Nguyen also emphasised the group’s emphasis on personal arranging.

“One thing that’s unique about our repertoire is that all of the music we perform is arranged by a current or former Din,” Khang said.

Prior to the concert, The Crimson also spoke to Howard M. Cohen ’81, whose son, Lucas Cohen-d’Arbeloff ’27, is the music director for The LowKeys. He reflected on the growth of a cappella at Harvard, particularly its expanding cultural presence and visibility.

“It had a big surge in popularity with ‘Pitch Perfect,’” Cohen said. “I think it’s evolved, just that it’s become a bigger thing and a little more out there in the culture.

Ultimately, “Jam-Packed!” was both a celebration of the unique expressive possibilities of a cappella as well as its status as one of the most enduring and influential creative traditions on campus. Spanning genres, generations, and performance styles, the concert was a fitting showcase of the depth and versatility of Harvard’s student-run music community.