A capella’s changing tune on CSB+SJU campuses

CSBeats and Johnnie Blend are the a cappella groups at St. Ben’s and St. John’s University. Over the last few years, they have been slowly shrinking in size.

If you’ve never heard of the term, an a cappella group is a collection of people who make music without the help of instruments, instead utilizing vocal performance.

Johnnie Blend was formed in 2002 and CSBeats started in 2015, according to The Record archives. During the 2024-2025 school year, Johnnie Blend had such little numbers they didn’t perform or meet at all.

Both groups did tabling at the Involvement Fair just a few weeks ago. They were hoping to recruit new people as they both are starting out the year with minimal returning members.

Each year auditions are held for prospecting members. This year only three Johnnies and two Bennies auditioned. To have a comfortably full group, there needs to be about eight members.

Senior Leo Krueger is one of the co-captains of Johnnie Blend and enjoys being a part of the group.

“There’s a certain appeal to just getting a bunch of guys together and making the music on your own,” Krueger said. “It comes from everyone.”

The other co-captain is junior Lai Chang, who was not available for comment.

CSBeats, on the other hand, is struggling even more than Johnnie Blend. With a total of potentially seven members, no executive board has been officially decided yet.

With such small numbers, it will behard for both groups to operate and have performances like they aim for every year.

According to Krueger, the Johnnie Blend only held one concert last year. That concert was the joint Christmas concert held with CSBeats at the LaPlayette. This year Johnnie Blend hopes to showcase what they can do, rather than aim to perform.

“Our plan for this year is to do more practicing and honing in on our music in random places,” Krueger said. “The amphitheater, Sexton Commons or just random places on campus.”

If the groups are able to gain more people they could potentially perform more than they’ve been able to. CSBeats performed twice last year, once at Swayed Pines and then at the Christmas concert.

Both groups meet about twice a week.

If you enjoy music and you’re looking for a club to join or support, a cappella might be for you.

“If you enjoy singing and you want to do something else with that, that you’ve never tried before, come check out Johnnie Blend and CSBeats,” Krueger said.

Senior Rezza Sevenich has been a part of the group since her sophomore year and enjoys singing with the group.

“CSBeats is a welcoming community where you can express yourself and sing,” Sevenich said.

If you’re interested in joining, both groups are looking for members! It never hurts to try something out of your comfort zone—maybe you’ll surprise yourself.