By Benjamin Griffiths
griffiths@newsroom.byu.edu
Once only 100 people came to the A Cappella Jam. But if Friday is anything like the last five years, the Jam will sell 1,700 seats.
The A Cappella Jam will feature 10 groups this year, including Vocal Point, Voice Male and Inside Out.
'The wonderful thing about the Jam is we get people who appreciate all genres of music. We have had heavy metal fans -- my personal friends, out of their seats screaming at the top of their lungs,' said Bob Ahlander, founder of the Jam.
The Jam began in 1992. It was the brainchild of Ahlander and Sara Busse.
Alhander was A Cappella Club president at the time, and Busse was vice president.
'It was in one of the auditoriums in the Tanner Building. About 100 people came to hear six groups perform,' Ahlander said.
BYU A Cappella singers often call Ahlander the 'godfather of a cappella,' because of his role in founding Vocal Point and the A Cappella Club.
'BYU a cappella is an anomaly,' Ahlander said. 'Most colleges have been doing this for longer than we have. They have greater roots, yet they can only draw about 500 fans. We have created a scene unique for the nation.'
BYU a cappella is popular because the bands are 'some of the best in the Western United States, said Tim Jones, member of Moosebutter -- one of the a cappella groups performing at the Jam.
So many BYU students have been singing in choirs for their entire lives so the talent pool is larger here, Jones said.
Jones said a cappella music is popular because it is unique.
Julie Ahlander, Bob's wife, is the adviser of the A Cappella Club.
'A cappella requires commitment to work with a group, to be prepared and to audition,' she said. 'These People perform for free, and love to entertain the student body. It is a lot of fun.'
The Jam is Friday in the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door, or in 3326B WSC. The tickets cost $4 with BYU ID and $5 without.