A cappella singing is often considered a whole different genre of music. Through the fusion of different voices, a cappella groups create a unique performance quality and different dimension of music.

Being in an a cappella group means participants get to be in a chamber performance setting but still have a more flexible time commitment. In addition, unlike choir, many groups arrange and adjust their own vocal parts to fit the singers’ needs.

At PHS, there are four student-led a cappella groups: Cats Meow, Cloud Nine, Testostertones, and Around 8. They are each unique in their own way, providing completely different experiences, though they sometimes perform together at events like Friday Night Lights at the Princeton Public Library.

Founded in 1983, Cats Meow is PHS’s first a cappella group; it is a choir affiliated and all upper voice a cappella group. They perform at all PHS choir concerts, and even go on tour with the choir every other year. The group explores many different genres of music, such as jazz, pop and R&B. Through their rehearsals and performances, the group has forged close bonds while creating musical experiences together.

“You bond very intensely with everyone in the group because it’s so small … we learn to trust each other on stage,” said Cats Meow director Vivian Clayton ’24.

Cloud Nine is PHS’ second female identifying a cappella group, though they are non-choir affiliated. Regardless, they are still allowed to perform both in and outside of school.

“We performed at Hispanic Heritage Month and we sang Gracias a la Vida … we sometimes do Cornerhouse affiliated [performances],” said Julia Wang ’25, a member of Cloud Nine.

The third a cappella group is the Testostertones, the only PHS all male group. Rehearsing a few times each week, the members of the a cappella group have grown into a tight-knit community..

“Tones culture is at an all time high right now … we have a wide range of guys and I think that that only builds [on] the connection that we have with each other,” said Testostertones director Theo Balavoine ’24.

Finally, Around 8 is PHS’s only all gender inclusive group––an aspect that distinguishes it from the rest. However, similarly to the other a cappella groups, being part of this ensemble forges friendships and connections among its members.

“It’s a nice chance to meet people that have different interests from you, but you all can come and sing [together],” said Noa Zacks ’25, a member of Around 8.

Auditions for these groups are generally held in late May and early June, and are open to all students for non-choir affiliated groups, like Testostertones and Cloud Nine. General audition materials include preparation of a short verse or chorus and sight reading in front of the current a cappella group.