Elizabeth Mitchell/The Ithacan SOPHOMORE PAUL CANETTI plays parts on the piano as sophomore Matt Hubert, center, and senior Chris Kozody prepare to sing at rehearsal for IC VoiceStream.

It’s a Monday night and classes are over. The hallways of the music building are relatively quiet. But IC VoiceStream, the college’s first coed a cappella group, is bouncing upbeat echoes off the walls of room 2328.

Although the 15-member group includes a few former members of Ithacappella and Premium Blend, VoiceStream is no traditional a cappella group.

The group learns almost everything by ear. The singers stick to modern pop and rock music, like songs from the Foo Fighters and No Doubt, and use only original musical arrangements. Everyone participates in choosing songs and soloists, and although there are officers, there is no executive board.

Sophomore Paul Canetti, a founding member, said there was plenty of room for another a cappella group on campus.

“With a school this size and this much talent, there is no excuse not to have at least three groups, covering the three different types of a cappella groups you can have,” Canetti said.

Last spring, seniors Marissa DeVito and Jessica Kupiec and sophomore Simon Baumer discussed forming a coed group. Canetti, then a member of Ithacappella, decided to join them to establish the new ensemble.

“I really like Ithacappella,” Canetti said. “I mean, they are great guys, great singers. But I wanted to start something from scratch.”

The name of the group was inspired by a random VoiceStream Wireless advertisement that Baumer, Canetti and a friend spotted in Philadelphia. Before holding auditions, they received a surprise: a letter from the company’s lawyers saying that VoiceStream was aware they were using the name. However, since the group is not a commercialized product, the company said there was no harm done.

Auditions, held in late September, were open to anyone who wanted to sing, regardless of musical knowledge or experience. More than 75 people signed up.

“We didn’t know what we were getting into,” Canetti said. “It was amazing to have people come out and support it.”

Making the final cut was “a triumph” for sophomore Bobbi Ahearn, who auditioned for the School of Music and was not accepted. She said getting into VoiceStream was even better.

The members’ range of experience covers a “full spectrum, from voice majors singing 24 hours a day to singing in the shower,” Canetti said.

More than just a singing group, VoiceStream resembles a family of goof balls.

“It’s like going to camp,” Canetti said. “We’re big on fun.”

Student Body President Lisa Palmero, a former member of the all-female Premium Blend, loves being part of VoiceStream.

“I’ve worked with many organizations of different sizes,” Palmero said. “I haven’t experienced a group mesh as quickly as this one.”

During one particular Monday night practice, members audition for solos. Each then leaves so the rest of the group can decide who should sing what song. Out in the hallway, awaiting the verdicts, members are a bit antsy but also laid back. They chat casually and goof around. Competition does not enter their attitudes.

“What I look forward to in my week is practice,” Baumer said. “If it wasn’t fun, we wouldn’t have done it.”

After solo auditions, Canetti, who is the musical director, keeps the group focused on a new piece. Standing at the piano, he guides them through rehearsal with a firm but helpful hand. Each section practices its part several times. “Do it again,” he says, and he does not let them stop until satisfied. When practices end, members don’t disband. They frequently grab dinner and hang out together when not performing.

A cappella fans got their first taste of VoiceStream before Premium Blend’s October concert. For members, Ford Hall was an intimidating place for their debut performance, but Premium Blend had wanted the group to open for them even before VoiceStream had auditions. This gave the group something to work toward from the start, Canetti said.

Despite some anxieties, the group received a standing ovation. Their first headlining concert will be on Dec. 4 in Emerson Suites.

“This was a long time coming,” DeVito said. “I hope to come back here years from now and go to a VoiceStream concert and hear them rock the college.”