The sounds of a cappella harmonies and enthusiastic cheers echoed through the halls of the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Thursday and Friday nights as the Summit Singers held their annual spring concerts in the auditorium.

The group’s repertoire included covers of “Shut Up and Dance,” “Be Still,” and “What a Wonderful World.” Between songs, emcees Rebekah Nelson and Aaron VanDanacker relayed audience questions and comments to the singers to further engage the crowd.

“It’s incredible, (the Summit Singers) did an unbelievable job. They just bring so much energy to the crowd, and we give it back,” freshman Rachel Heringer said.

Cadenza, the all-female a cappella group on campus, opened for the Summit Singers show on Friday night. President Hannah Tilstra said Cadenza enjoys being able to partner with the Summit Singers.

“They’re great hosts. It’s just fun to be a part of it,” she said.

Now in its fourth year, the Summit Singers are graduating the last of its founding members, including current president Chad Berg. Berg said he is grateful for the support and hard work from the other singers in the past years.

“I never thought that it would come in and be quite as popular as it is now, or, honestly, quite as fun as it is now,” he said.

Next year, freshman Alex Noto will take over as president with freshmen Tony Perrella and Josiah Bardwell in other executive board roles. To prepare for the leadership transition, Berg said he gave much of the responsibility for this concert to next year’s board members.

“I took a hands-off approach to allow them to get used to what it’s going to be like after I graduate,” Berg said.

Before graduation, however, the Summit Singers plan to continue work on an upcoming CD. Members hope to record several songs this summer, including some with Summit Singers alumni, who remain in touch with the group.

It’s this sort of bond between singers that Noto wants to see in the group next year and beyond.

“Twenty years from now, when we look back and we remember what our time was like at St. Thomas, we want to think about the connection that the guys shared as group, and how many smiles and how much joy we were able to bring to the community,” Noto said.

Elena Neuzil can be reached at neuz3833@stthomas.edu.