by Amber Noelle Sembly
Okay I guess I drank the Kool-Aid: My name is Amber Noelle Sembly and SoJam changed my life. Yes, it’s cliché but it’s also true. I joined an a cappella group my freshman year at Duke expecting only to participate for a semester or two. After attending a rigorous performing arts program in high school I had sworn off performing as a vocation and believed it could only be a hobby I pursued from then on. So when I auditioned for Duke’s Rhythm & Blue (R&B), it was truly just for kicks.
About a month or so into my membership, I met Dave Sperandio when R&B was recording some background parts for the (then) upcoming album. Of course I had no idea that Dave was “dio” or that I was to spend a good amount of time over the next three years in his home recording music and learning so much.
SoJam 2007 was my virgin experience and like many, it was unplanned. My group had only agreed to attend a masterclass (I sang quietly and paid little attention, to be honest) and a couple classes after if we wanted. After the masterclass we wandered into a panel discussion that was led by the three professional groups that were to perform that night. This meant nothing to me until Dwight Stewart (N7) and Jamal Reed (formerly of N7) decided to give us a little sample. That made me check out the vocal percussion workshop, where I was stunned after hearing a basic kit from Warren Thomas. That afternoon, over lunch (my jaw still on the floor) I convinced Matt Emery (CASA’s then Membership Director and R&B alumnus) to spot me the money for a ticket to that concert. Best decision of my life.
People who know me know that I can be a lot. I mean that I am quite present, annoyingly loud and sometimes slightly boisterous. That night I was simply speechless. Please keep in mind that at that point, aside from Duke’s few groups, I had never even heard a cappella performed live. Part of me didn’t even believe I was awake and that it was all really happening. Between Fork singing Leave Me Alone and N7‘s stripped performance of More Than Words I was sold. I really liked this a cappella thing and wondered if I could ever really do something like that professionally.
January of 2010 I began my stint in leadership of R&B. I was Assistant Music Director through May and then became MD for the coming school year. All I could think about was how amazing it would be if we went from a casual college group to being a serious ensemble on the a cappella map. I set my sights on the collegiate competition at SoJam as R&B’s first competition since I had joined the group.
Somehow between August and October of that year R&B became competition ready and we were selected to compete at SoJam. We were stoked, not to mention pleasantly surprised, and immediately went to work. Every minute we were together was SoJam prep. My group had never before come together and worked so diligently and harmoniously to achieve a goal. SoJam changed our group dynamic for the better before we even arrived at
the Carolina Theatre on November 12th, and I think our cohesive performance displayed such. That night we went from some Duke aca group to “THE RHYTHM & BLUE.” We managed to take home four of the five awards and could not have been a lick happier. Our group was validated in the greater a cappella community, a thing many of us thought may never happen.
Personally, I have never felt as welcomed as I did at SoJam 2010. I was that girl who sang Alone in the middle of our set and somehow received an ovation from some of the most amazing musicians I have ever met. Before then, I had always been the “belty” girl or the “gospel” singer and hadn’t yet felt like I could be useful in this arena but here I was getting the stamp of approval from the community that I needed.
The best part of SoJam 2010 was the fact that I met (and maintained contact with) so many new friends; singers, producers, a cappella enthusiasts, students, professionals. I joined the network of people who love a cappella music and learned that I can be an asset to this subset of the musical world. Entering this world has opened my eyes to all that I can do in the a cappella scene. I think I even sing differently now; with more intent and passion. Aside from that I am back to arranging and soon getting into music production and am looking to specialize in a cappella music, because we need more ears who know the sound.
Since graduating from Duke University I moved to New York City to be in the thick of things (that’s what you do, right?). I recently joined CAL group The Red States and am having a blast. I love that this group is full of arrangers and opinions and ex-MDs who all just love to sing. We sound pretty good doing it, too! The transition was honestly seamless and I am really enjoying having a wonderful new family.
There is actually nothing in this world that could keep me from SoJam 2011. I’ve never attended other a cappella festivals but I know that this one will leave me feeling inspired, validated and motivated to grow and learn even more. This festival is consistently the perfect balance of learning and an incredibly good time and I don’t know
where else to see so many musical titans in one place this November. I am so excited to reunite with my Bluebies, hang out with friends I normally keep in contact with via internet, and I’m looking forward to being a spectator again.
Oh, and I might be that chick that jumps on stage with Naturally 7. Gotta keep things interesting right?
