Freshman Fifteen was not to be counted out of the Northwestern a cappella game at their “F15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20!” concert Saturday.
Hosted by Communication sophomores Timmy Woodward and Tyler Guinto-Brody, the a cappella concert was a night of musicality, laughs and heartfelt moments.
The performance opened with “F–K YOU” by CeeLo Green, featuring Communication first-year Lily Zebrauskas. She brought amazing energy to the song, joking with the crowd each time she told off her “ex-partner.” Her performance highlighted a main factor that made the show interesting: A venue suited for audience interaction.
In a medium-sized Harris Hall lecture room, F15 was able to give a highly interactive performance, inviting viewers to dance along to the music. The room gave the group the ability to interact with the audience with dynamic joy.
Musically, the group demonstrated a strong command of dynamics and blend. Their arrangements leaned into percussive lines and ad-libs from various singers, giving each song a full, dynamic sound much larger than that I would’ve expected from an ensemble of their size. Even when the arrangements contained comedic moments — such as group members echoing Zebrauskas sporadically with the phrase “ain’t that some s–t?” — the musical precision never slipped.
Zebrauskas was followed by Communication senior Poseybelle Stoeffler, who sang Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life.” Stoeffler’s voice had a beautifully haunting quality, which played perfectly with the lyrics as the group dimmed the lights for an even more intimate atmosphere.
Stoeffler’s final note was followed by loud applause and a classic F15 comedic break between musical numbers, where the group challenged two volunteering audience members to a math worksheet competition against the hosts.
Moments like these really personalized the show. More than a mere math contest, the interludes between songs demonstrated what makes F15 so strong: Their connection with one another. Throughout the concert, group members laughed, danced and joked with each other, bringing a playful ambiance to the performance.
What stood out most was the emotional range the group managed to cover in roughly an hour. One moment, the room was erupting in laughter, and the next it was hushed as a senior sang his final solo. That emotional flexibility reminded the audience that F15 isn’t just about vocal talent. The group is built to celebrate a community formed through music.
Before the final song — New Order’s “Temptation” sung by Medill senior Austin Kim — the group played a video edited together of his best moments with F15, as this was his final concert.
As Kim finished the last lines of the song, multiple F15 members had tears in their eyes.
The show felt like a celebration of more than music, highlighting the bonds that form when students create music together. Rather than giving an uptight and polished performance, F15’s willingness to be goofy, vulnerable and deeply connected to their audience made the night refreshing.
While F15’s concert centered around members “learning to count,” it became clear throughout the night that the group has mastered counting on each other.
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Instagram: @leyton.jackson_
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—The aca-demic handbook: Your guide to NU’s 12 a cappella groups
