hOWLers Create Unforgettable Memories for Talented Singers
The Athenian Advanced Choir, more widely known as the hOWLers, officially began in 2014 under the leadership of Emily Shinkle. Since 2006, the hOWLers had been a registered class led and accompanied by Emily. However, she quickly recognized the potential this group had, and after two years, the group became a competitive a cappella group.
Emily, like many, is a fan of “Pitch Perfect,” the music comedy that won the hearts of young girls, dominated the world of singing, and became the highest grossing music comedy film series ever. She loved it so much that she wanted her own a cappella group to compete in the same competition featured in the film. Emily said, “[The group] was inspired by the movie 'Pitch Perfect,' so the competition that we go to is the high school version of the college competition that you see in that movie. That’s an actual competition.”
The high school version of the International Championship of Collegiate A cappella (ICCA), which is called the International Championship of High School A cappella (ICHSA), is the competition the hOWLers compete in every year. Emily knew it would be crucial to have a catchy, defining, and cool name for the vocalist group attending the competition, thus she began brainstorming. While seeking ideas among the singers, she found little success in their suggestions and took things into her own hands. Emily said, “I proposed to the group like you all pick a name and no one came up with a good name and I put hOWLers in there because the owl is O-W-L.” This was the name that’s stuck.
Being a hOWLers member not only gives students many opportunities to shine in the spotlight, but also includes them in a warm and welcoming community. Current hOWLers member Soleil Masci said, “It’s really fun. It’s like a pretty judgement-free environment so that’s kind of nice because singing in front of other people can be scary.”
Like Emily Shinkle, Soleil has always loved “Pitch Perfect” and grew up watching this show. Having a passion for singing, being inspired by a childhood show, and also growing close with Emily Shinkle was enough for Soleil to audition for the hOWLers. Soleil said, “Because I’m a boarder and I have close proximity to Emily Shinkle, she talks about it and I think she hyped it up and that made me want to be a hOWLer.” Because the group must spend a large amount of time together, they organize a bonding day at the beginning of the year, which includes performance rehearsal, karaoke, and dinner. “We have a hOWLers bonding day at the beginning of the year so that was one day like a Saturday and we spent pretty much all day together,” Soleil said.
Songs, members, and performances may change in the hOWLers, but the friendly community created by its members, special pre-show activities, and exciting trips have never changed. Victoria Akinsanya, a hOWLers alumna, said, “It was the highlight of high school. It was a lot of space and community and time to be creative.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, classes were interrupted and moved online. While this abrupt change affected singing in-person, it did not impact the traditions of the hOWLers. “We used to meow before concerts. We would sing our favorite song, but meow it to warm up and practice it outside of the CFTA. For a while it stopped, but I think it’s back, which is good,” said Victoria.
When the hOWLers took a trip to Disneyland, they found another use for their vocals. “There was this one time on the Indiana Jones ride, the express lane was also long, so they took us through [the handicapped entrance]. We went all the way around through the back and got right to the front because we sang for them,” said Victoria. Not everyone was a fan, however, and some had mixed feelings about their singing. Victoria said, “There was this one time someone was like, if you don’t sing, I’ll let you get on the ride because they hated a cappella. That was funny.”
For many, the experience of being a hOWLer is unforgettable. Victoria said, “Ever since then, Disneyland has not been the same because now I have to wait in lines, but as a hOWLer, you sing and you don't have to wait.”