First-Ever Free A Cappella 'Sing Off' Scheduled for Mitchell Park Saturday

(Caption: 1) Nassoons performing at Carnegie Hall in December, courtesy of Colton Hess. 2) Greenport Trustee Doug Roberts performed with a cappella groups when he was a student).

GREENPORT, NY - Mitchell Park will be alive with the sound of music Saturday.

For the first time, a free a cappella student "Sing Off" will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a rain date on Sunday.

The event was funded by Friends of Mitchell Park.

The idea was born after Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts, who used to perform in a cappella groups, thought Mitchell Park would be the perfect place for students to provide free, uplifting music and entertainment for the public.

Local students and young musicians from afar will join at the park to raise their voices in song.

Participating will be JFK/PLainview High, which is sending three groups, Northport's Multi-Colored Ties, of which Roberts is a founding member, and Multi-Colored Tights, Greenport A Cappella, Riverhead A Cappella, Hofstra Sigma'Cappella, and the Princeton Nassoons.

Roberts was a member of the Princeton Nassoons and sits on its alumni association board.

"Greenport is already considered a great place to visit, including by many who come to take in art in our many galleries around town," Roberts said.

But, while there is an extensive and vibrant calendar of musical and theatrical events during the summer months, Roberts thought it would be a good idea to schedule cultural events for the shoulder seasons, to bolster sales for village merchants who might see a bump in foot traffic.

"When former Mayor David Kapell built Mitchell Park, he built a gathering place for our community and visitors with breathtaking beauty and the ability to host a wide variety of free events open to the public," Roberts said.

After lengthy public discussion during last year's campaign, Mayor George Hubbard led the finalization of a new Mitchell Park policy, which specifically encourages events like the a cappella festival, Roberts said.

"The best way I can think of to honor the work of both of these gentlemen is to model for others what is possible if one is willing to put in a little effort to organize a musical or cultural event."

The fact that he is serves as a trustee is "immaterial" to the a cappella event taking place, Roberts said. "Any member of the public who has an idea for a free family-friendly cultural event in Mitchell Park is encouraged to bring those ideas to me and I will help them package it for a presentation to the mayor and board, help them find the appropriate mass assembly permit application in Village Hall, and launch them on the process."

Friends of Mitchell Park, Roberts said, helped with funding to pay for one of the college groups which has an active national and international touring schedule, and also, paid for some advertising.

Village taxpayers are not funding the event, besides providing the space; he is hosting the event as a private citizen, Roberts said.

"Come one, come all, come out to hear some great singing on Saturday, " Roberts said. He asked residents to email him with ideas for an event they'd like to host in Mitchell Park at doug@wearegreenport.org.

Colton Hess, a sophomore at Princeton who sings with the Princeton Nassoons and serves as president of the group, said belonging to the a cappella group is a deeply meaningful experience that helps to create lifetime memories.

"It's all about the brotherhood of the group, about us all being a close group of good friends and producing some really great music," he said.

The Nassoons, he said, are looking forward to Saturday's event.

Hess, who began singing at 12 when he joined a choir, said a cappella groups have gained widespread popularity in recent years through shows such as "Glee" and the movie "Pitch Perfect."

But for the Nassoons, an a cappella group that just celebrated its 75th anniversary, the tradition is deeply ingrained and rich with memories for Princetonians past and present.

"We've been around for a long time and what makes it so special is the music we create and the brotherhood we share," he said, adding that alumni such as Roberts remain connected to the group long after graduation day.