The Heightsmen Serenade Crowd with Classic Songs at the Spring Café

Every seat was filled and fans poured into the aisles of Devlin 008 to hear the Heightsmen of Boston College, BC’s only all-male a cappella group, perform an eclectic range of classic and modern melodies. The group of 13 men, dressed in their burgundy and gold ties, blue suit jackets and khaki pants, took the stage on Friday to cheers and applause.

Standing in front of the conference room decorated with fairy lights, the Heightsmen kicked off their first set of songs with Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good,” featuring soloist Skyler Cho, MCAS ’24.

The band’s chemistry was immediately apparent, as the performers seemed to feed off each other’s energy on stage. Music Director Nick Rossi, MCAS ’23, was the next soloist, performing 10cc’s “The Things We Do For Love”, followed by Heightsmen and MCAS ’22 President DJ Brown, singing “Hypotheticals” from Lake Street Drive.

Tony Lewis, MCAS ’23, and Hunter Buss, outside coordinator and CSOM ’22, were featured on Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.” Their soft vocals and loud falsettos brought the recently Grammy-winning song for Record of the Year to life in the boardroom, sparking the crowd’s excitement for the songs to come.

The last song of the first set was “After the Love Has Gone” by Earth, Wind & Fire, featuring soloist Rory Redmond, Public Relations Manager and CSOM ’24. His strong falsetto and performing skills excited the audience, and the rest of the band’s tight harmonies stunned the audience for a fitting conclusion to the first set.

The brief first intermission included a skit that spoofed a number of popular movies. A fun skit featured George Arianas, CSOM ’24, playing the role of Don Corleone in The Godfather.

After the fun interlude, Ryan Wesner, CSOM ’24, took the stage as a soloist for the Zac Brown Band’s “Castaway.” Her sweet vocals and the song’s fun lyrics took the audience on a tropical vacation for a few minutes.

Brown covered the stage for Justin Bieber’s “One Less Lonely Girl,” showcasing her vocal control.

Lewis and Rossi came next for Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon”. Lewis’ voice was reminiscent of both Sinatra and Michael Bublé, with rich low notes. Cho delivered a rendition of Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On”, showcasing her vocals with smooth transitions into her loud falsetto.

Rossi showed vocal riffs in The Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love,” marking the end of the second set.

For the second intermission, new Heightsmen members Jake Parkman, MCAS ’24, and Noah McGuire, CSOM ’25, performed a dance to Lady Gaga songs choreographed by Annabelle Schultze, MCAS ’22, and Gianna Laura, MCAS’ 23. The hysterical interlude demonstrated the group’s humor and close bond, serving as a light break before the sentimental third set.

Band members gave speeches about the Heightsmen’s seniors during the third set. Brendan Julian, CSOM ’23, introduced Buss, whose high, powerful voice shone on Dion DiMucci’s “Runaround Sue.”

Next, Rossi introduced Jack Carey, CSOM ’22.

“The bass is the heartbeat of an ensemble,” Rossi said. “Jack Carey, thank you for being that heartbeat.”

Carey sang “My Girl” by The Temptations to her mother, a Heightsmen tradition.

Finally, newly elected band president Jack Leary, MCAS ’23, introduced Brown, who performed Bruno Mars’ “Treasure” to overwhelming cheers. The three seniors then took the stage to sing their arrangement of The Beatles’ “In My Life”, a tribute to the days when the seniors were part of the Heightsmen.

The last song, “Good Ole A Cappella”, is a Heightsmen tradition during which the newly elected president sings the solo. Leary sang to cheers and applause as the new group performed together for the first time without the seniors, who sat alongside to watch their legacy unfold.

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