ACA-SCUSE ME? A cappella was around long before Pitch Perfect, and it continues to be a strong community at UW-Eau Claire. All five university a cappella groups hosted a benefit concert to support Sojourner House on March 31, Callisto pictured. (Photos by Elyse Braun / The Spectator)

The art of a cappella is a growing community at UW-Eau Claire. With five student a cappella groups – Audacious; Callisto; Fifth Element; The Innocent Men; and Impromptu – each has different characteristics, goals, and mission statements.

Despite the groups' individual goals, on March 31, all five came together to perform with one shared mission: raising money for the Sojourner House. The second annual benefit concert hosted by the UWEC a cappella groups raised $3,391 dollars for the downtown Eau Claire shelter.

A group of leaders made up of representatives from each a cappella group was formed last year with the intention of planning an event for all campus groups to collaborate on, Audacious member Macy Gutting explained. 

Audacious member Zoe Lewis said they landed on the idea for an annual benefit concert because it brought all the a cappella groups together and gave back to the community.

Sojourner House was selected as the partner for the 2025 benefit concert for a variety of reasons, including its recently announced budget deficit of $450,000. Sojourner House is the only overnight shelter in the area – and is currently open year-round – but could be forced to cut their hours to seasonal only.

Part of the crowd at the March 31 benefit concert.

A silent auction was part of the benefit event.

Current Sojourner House employee and Audacious alumni, Sophie Ignacio, was a representative of Sojourner House at the March 31 benefit concert. She shared statistics about the shelter, as well as tangible impacts the donations could make. For the second year in a row, the a cappella groups were able to host a successful benefit concert, raising money for a cause close to home.

Another student a cappella member said the benefit concert helped forge a stronger bond between the five UWEC groups, and was a way to support "a cause that is bigger than us."

Each group now turns their focus to their respective spring concerts. Each group has their own showcase on various nights throughout April and May.

Keep up with all UW-Eau Claire a cappella groups on Instagram (@uwecacappella). 

Fifth Element.

Audacious.

The UW-Eau Claire a cappella groups are also collecting donations toward Sojourner House through GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/support-sojourner-house-with-uwec-a-cappella.