Not Too Sharp
Encyclopedia
Not Too Sharp is an all-male a cappella
group from the University of New Hampshire
in Durham, New Hampshire
, USA. Begun in 2002, the 10-12 man group performs live on the college campus, at other groups’ venues, and in the New Hampshire community. Their annual benefit show supports the American Cancer Society
. The Recorded Acappella Review Board says of Not Too Sharp, “All male, slightly goofy and possessed of an infectious energy… Charisma just drips out of the speakers.” In 2010 the group was presented with a "Best of New Hampshire" award for contemporary a cappella.
students Jamie Saucier '03, Jason Reed '05 and Kevin Cleary '05 conceived the group during a trip with the UNH Chorus to perform background vocals at a Barry Manilow
concert in Manchester, New Hampshire
. A discussion of a friend who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma
, an incurable but treatable cancer, led them to gather a group who could perform to raise money for cancer research.
The original group decided to perform a new twist on classic barbershop music
style – something that could distinguish them from the other a cappella groups on campus at the time - and the a cappella group known as Not Too Sharp was born.
The first show was held in the basement floor of Congreve Hall in 2002. The group rehearsed during the walk across campus, and relied on paper music during the show. This was the first of over 25 concerts for the group in their first year, earning them recognition as “the group who sang everywhere." The group’s first Big Show was held May 3, 2003, in UNH's Johnson Theatre, hosted by members of co-ed UNH a cappella group Alabaster Blue. Over 200 people attended this first semester-culminating show.
Since the first year, the group has continued to perform live around the region, including commencements, weddings, private parties, and even the New Hampshire State House
. Their audiences have included school kids, the elderly, and fellow college students.
-based in its early days. The first album, On Our Way, consisted of many such traditional barbershop arrangements. It was released in 2003, during the group's first year in existence. The songs were recorded live in UNH's MUB
Theater.
A self-titled album was released in 2006. The new album reflected the group's growing interest in popular modern music. Fall Out Boy
’s track “Sugar, We’re Going Down” and classic rock like The Eagles’ “Hotel California” appeared alongside barbershop arrangements like “Chordbuster’s March." The 2009 album Shifting Gears completed the group’s move away from its traditional barbershop roots, with tracks like Spoon’s
“The Underdog” and Kelly Clarkson
’s “Gone.” A unique arrangement of The Doobie Brothers
’ “Black Water” also demonstrated the group’s adventurous nature.
. The shows generated approximately $10,000 for the ACS in the group's first five years.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group from the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
in Durham, New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,664 people, 2,882 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town. The population density was 565.5 people per square mile . There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 130.5 per square mile...
, USA. Begun in 2002, the 10-12 man group performs live on the college campus, at other groups’ venues, and in the New Hampshire community. Their annual benefit show supports the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
. The Recorded Acappella Review Board says of Not Too Sharp, “All male, slightly goofy and possessed of an infectious energy… Charisma just drips out of the speakers.” In 2010 the group was presented with a "Best of New Hampshire" award for contemporary a cappella.
History
University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
students Jamie Saucier '03, Jason Reed '05 and Kevin Cleary '05 conceived the group during a trip with the UNH Chorus to perform background vocals at a Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
concert in Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
. A discussion of a friend who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma , also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for the production of antibodies...
, an incurable but treatable cancer, led them to gather a group who could perform to raise money for cancer research.
The original group decided to perform a new twist on classic barbershop music
Barbershop music
Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
style – something that could distinguish them from the other a cappella groups on campus at the time - and the a cappella group known as Not Too Sharp was born.
The first show was held in the basement floor of Congreve Hall in 2002. The group rehearsed during the walk across campus, and relied on paper music during the show. This was the first of over 25 concerts for the group in their first year, earning them recognition as “the group who sang everywhere." The group’s first Big Show was held May 3, 2003, in UNH's Johnson Theatre, hosted by members of co-ed UNH a cappella group Alabaster Blue. Over 200 people attended this first semester-culminating show.
Since the first year, the group has continued to perform live around the region, including commencements, weddings, private parties, and even the New Hampshire State House
New Hampshire State House
The New Hampshire State House is the state capitol building of New Hampshire, located in Concord at 107 North Main Street. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor and Executive Council...
. Their audiences have included school kids, the elderly, and fellow college students.
Music
The group was barbershopBarbershop music
Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era , is a style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture...
-based in its early days. The first album, On Our Way, consisted of many such traditional barbershop arrangements. It was released in 2003, during the group's first year in existence. The songs were recorded live in UNH's MUB
Memorial Union Building (New Hampshire)
The Memorial Union Building is the University of New Hampshire's student union and the "heart of campus." The building also serves as the official New Hampshire War Memorial for soldiers killed in action since World War I. Planning for a student union began in 1930s and fundraising began in...
Theater.
A self-titled album was released in 2006. The new album reflected the group's growing interest in popular modern music. Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
’s track “Sugar, We’re Going Down” and classic rock like The Eagles’ “Hotel California” appeared alongside barbershop arrangements like “Chordbuster’s March." The 2009 album Shifting Gears completed the group’s move away from its traditional barbershop roots, with tracks like Spoon’s
Spoon (band)
Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
“The Underdog” and Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
’s “Gone.” A unique arrangement of The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
’ “Black Water” also demonstrated the group’s adventurous nature.
Philanthropy
An annual benefit concert raises money for the American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
. The shows generated approximately $10,000 for the ACS in the group's first five years.