The Lafayette Mar-Keys

Performing arrangements from soprano to bass, the Lafayette Mar-Keys are an all-voices a cappella group composed of members of varied vocal ranges. The Mar- Keys made their debut in 2015, making it the newest singing group on campus.

Currently rostering 21 members, the group can be found performing for the school community throughout the year. In November, for example, the Mar-Keys sang at Lafayette’s “Evening of A Cappella” in Colton Chapel and also performed at Lafayette’s annual Lighting of the Quad.

Throughout the semester, members rehearse twice weekly in Hogg Hall to prepare for upcoming performances. Being an all-voices group, the Mar-Keys perform arrangements drawing from each member’s talents. The variety of vocal ranges “inspires us to perform songs that highlight the many different styles and talents of our members,” Mar-Keys president Sadie Gagliardi ’26 explains. “We put a lot of thought into the songs we choose to perform.”

“It continues to resonate with us as we prepare to compete.”

Cecelia Sheldon ’26

In March, the Mar-Keys joined Lafayette’s other three active a cappella groups on campus—Cadence, The Chorduroys, and Soulfege—and traveled to Penn State University to compete at the highly selective International Championship of Collegiate A Capella, or the ICCAs, where 10-minute sets were judged on vocal performance, presentation, and choreography. Although Lafayette didn’t advance to nationals, this was the first time that all four of its clubs were invited to participate at the ICCAs.

The Mar-Keys are now looking ahead to the Spring Jams concert, debuting new arrangements and celebrating its seniors’ dedication to the group, on May 8 in Colton Chapel. “The support from the Lafayette community is astounding,” Gagliardi says.