Rocappella Road Trip

Several years ago, I took a leap and started a women’s a cappella group. I modeled it on a group I sang with and directed in London – the Treblemakers. That group performed two sets of music: holiday and doo-wop/broadway/pop. The Trebs performed for charity; we sang at nursing homes, Kew Gardens, London’s Open Gardens days, the Junior League’s Holiday Bazaar – sometimes as the entertainment, but more often as background, or “wallpaper.” Once Rocappella started going, we mostly targeted nursing homes, and other places (like the YWCA) where we could bring our joy of singing to a group that needed a little musical entertainment. We agreed that we’d never charge a fee, and we’d try to refrain from taking paid gigs away from other real musicians.

One of my fella Pellas, Lisa Miller, co-manages a non-profit serving our military and their families: Full Circle Home (for more information on Full Circle Home, click HERE). She has been a frequent visitor to the official home of the Bidens, in D.C., because of their involvement with the organization. On one of her autumn trips to organize gift-wrapping, she learned of an opportunity from Carlos Elizondo, the Biden’s Social Secretary, for our group to sing at a holiday party at the Naval Observatory. Even though it was a little outside of our regular Rochester radius, we volunteered our availability and were rewarded with a 7pm party on a Friday night! We would only be wallpaper, but we rehearsed diligently, and even added two new songs to our repertoire.

Rocappella with Carlos Elizondo

The Friday night gig turned into Saturday night, which turned into Saturday afternoon, but we adapted, and left Rochester at 6am for the 7-hour drive to D.C.. Number One Observatory Circle was built in 1893, and authorized by Congress to be the temporary official residence of the Vice-President in 1974 (although Walter Mondale was its first full-time resident), until a permanent one could be built (in 1991, the Navy conceded the standoff…). It’s a beautiful mansion, and we had a prime position on the way to the food, just opposite the staircase leading to the private quarters. Carlos took great care of us, even moving things out of the way so that we could arrange ourselves behind the piano in the alcove, instead of stretching out in front of it. The house was beautifully decorated, and we got a quick peek around before the guests started arriving and we were “on.”

We sang a 45-minute set of our holiday music, and threw in the Wailin’ Jennys’ “One Voice” for good measure in these trying times. I wasn’t well-positioned to see the various Bidens descend the staircase, but at a lull between songs, Dr. Jill Biden appeared, and Lisa urgently said, “Hurry, let’s sing ‘Lo How a Rose’!” At one point, a gentleman approached me mid-song to request “Ave Maria,” and I was doubly sorry to disappoint him – not only because we don’t know an arrangement of it, but because we suspect he was Beau Biden’s father-in-law!

We took a quick water-break, and Carlos invited us to sample the food as well (everything was delicious and beautifully displayed).

During our second set, more guests actually stopped to listen and applaud us, which was extremely gratifying. Then Carlos summoned us to the front porch for our official group photo (because of our numbers, we had to split in two). Vice-President and Dr. Biden were incredibly gracious and patient, and it made me wish he’d run for President. 

When we were finished singing, he even came over to us to thank us, and chatted with us about snowfall in Syracuse and shared personal family stories. He just seemed so…normal.

We had a quick glass of champagne before departing – sad that it was over, after all the planning and anticipation, but exhilarated at the incredible experience – one I hope I never forget.

After our gig, we hopped in a limo for dinner at the Sulgrave Club and then a moonlight drive around town. Thanks, Lisa, for brokering this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!