Maine Steiners win international third

Belting out a medley of rock, pop and folk tunes, the University of Maine’s all-male singing group took third place Saturday in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in New York City.

This is the first time Maine Steiners have made it as far as the international competition in their roughly 50-year existence.

In addition, Ben Feeney, a vocal percussionist for the group, won first place for a two-minute solo imitating drum sounds.

“We really felt we accomplished something huge last night. It was awesome,” said David Janes, music director, speaking Sunday morning on the drive back to Maine.

A cappella means singing without instrumental backup. The singers pick up the bass, baritone and tenor sounds typically made by musical instruments.

Maine Steiners members are: Adam Scarpone, Colchester, Vt., a senior majoring in vocal music education; Nate Bates, Lebanon, a senior majoring in computer engineering; Nick Caler, North Berwick, a senior majoring in computer engineering; Janes, Colchester, Vt., a senior majoring in music education; Josh Koelker, North Berwick, a senior majoring in parks and recreation; Ryan Gould, Gorham, a junior majoring in business; Ryan Newell, Unity, a junior majoring in electrical engineering; Dennis Boyd, Berwick, a junior majoring in vocal music education; Lee Pidacks, Marlborough, Mass., a freshman majoring in vocal music education; and Feeney, Houlton, a senior majoring in chemical engineering.

While the prospect of having to perform in front of 3,000 people made things “a bit nerve-wracking at first,” said Janes, once the 10-member group hit the Beacon Theater stage, “we have this sort of live show magic.”

“The adrenaline falls into the right place, we get into this groove and we have a lot of fun,” he said.

The Maine Steiners, who have recorded four CDs, represented the New England and central Canada region by winning competitions at the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College over the last two months.

At Saturday’s competition, Binghamton University, part of the State University of New York system, took first place, while the University of Oregon placed second, according to Janes.

Six groups were whittled down from 108 in regional competitions. Other competitors on Saturday were North Carolina State, Penn State University and Amherst College.

The Steiners opened their act with “Insomniac,” a “real high-energy” pop tune sung by Koelker, said Janes.

The group then segued into “Danny Boy,” sung by Janes. The well-known Irish folk tune “reminds us of our current situation nationally,” said Janes, recalling that the song is about a young soldier.

The group ended with a rock-style song called “Drive,” sung by Gould.

The choice of songs “provided an excellent variety,” said Janes. Feeney “went out and got that crowd pumped,” said Janes.

As the percussionist, “You’re the timetable for the group,” said Feeney. “You’re the drummer, but you’re drumming with your mouth.”

The group’s last performance of the year is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the UM Maine Center for the Arts.

While the singers were looking forward to “a nice welcoming party” back at UM, Feeney said, the drive home also provided ample time to celebrate.

“We’re going to live this up all the way back to Maine,” he said.