A University of Michigan group is one of four finalists – and the only team from the state – in the 2014 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA).
The 14-member group is called the G-Men, short for "gentlemen."
Apoorv Dhir is the group's president and a pre-med U of M junior. "The best thing about this group is how close we are, and how much we love each other," he said. "We're good at singing and we enjoy performing. But the best thing about this group is that we are best friends."
Jordan Liu, the group's musical director and a U of M sophomore, said he's not surprised that tickets for the finals in New York City sold out in 11 hours. He said a cappella has gained popularity with new shows like "The Sing Off" and the movie "Pitch Perfect."
Here's a video of the G-Men performing at the 2013 ICCA semi-finals:
http://youtu.be/m5KJu8ciDq0
"I started a cappella when I thought it was going to be super uncool," Liu said. "And I guess I am slowly becoming cool."
Liu said going to the championships is the greatest rush in the world.
But it's not the only thrill the group has experienced this year. Over the holidays, the G-Men serenaded First Lady Michelle Obama with the song, "Isn't She Lovely," while the president looked on.
The G-Men's Facebook page says, "They are known for their massive biceps, obsession with puppies, and rocking audiences with the power of 100 raging buffalos."
Let's hope the Secret Service was paying attention.
Virginia Gordan, Michigan Radio Newsroom
