Hailing from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, The Xtension Chords are composed of twelve strapping young gentlemen.  For the past twenty years, their group has provided audiences with tight harmonies, smooth choreography, and last but not least, good looks.  Their performance will provide you with a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the men singing on stage.

Question & Answer

Who are you guys, and what do you do?

We are the Xtension Chords, an all-male a cappella group from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. We sing songs, occassionally try to dance, and most importantly put on a performance and have a great time; both for us and our audience members.

How can I contact you guys or hire you to perform at my event?

We’d love to perform for your event and just hearing from our fans!  Feel free to contact our business manager, Tom Ritondale, at tritondale@gmail.com.  You can also mail us things to our PO Box Address: The Xtension Chords, 54 East John St. Apt #2, Champaign, IL 61820.

What is “A Cappella” Music?

A cappella music is music that is made with no instruments whatsoever except the voice. Everything you hear us sing is done with our voices, throat, or mouth.

How long have you guys been around?

The Xtension Chords were founded in 1992 by Ken Purchase. He made an annoucement during a Men’s Glee Club rehearsal that he was planning on starting an a cappella group and a few more students joined him after rehearsal to sing. The rest is history…

I want to join! How do auditions work?

Great! We’d love to hear you sing. Auditions take place at the beginning of every new school year. Within the first couple days of being back on campus, there will be information spreading about when and where auditions will be. You can also check the website, Facebook page, and Twitter account for the information.

When you come for your audition, be prepared to sing a song by yourself, without accompaniment (i.e. a cappella). A common misconception is that when we say “sing a song a cappella,” we mean “sing an a cappella song.”  This usually results in 40+ renditions of “That Lonesome Road” or “The Longest Time.”  A piece of advice: don’t sing those songs. Sing something that shows off your voice and ability in the solo sense, but be creative. We want to see what you can do, but also who you are.

As can be told by a look through our repertoire page, our style is in our show. We do songs that people know, love, and like to hear. We also do choreography on numbers to enhance our performance. Look to sing something along the lines of pop and you’ll be on the right track.

You may be asked to do some blending exercises with the group, some tonal memory, and be prepared to try sightreading as well. Callbacks will include more singing and blending with the group.

In any case, try out! It’s the only way to really know what the X is all about!

Who does your arrangements?

We do! Whenever we decide to perform a song, a member of the current group or an alumni listens to it, and arranges the music he hears in the original song and translates it to voices. This allows us to not only do covers of fun songs, but throw a little bit of our own creativity into every song we perform.

I am in an a cappella group, or thinking about starting one.  How can I get some of your arrangements?

We charge $30 per each arrangement in pdf file. Just CLICK HERE to send us a message! In the message make sure to put your name, email, where you’re from, and which arrangement you would like, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

You guys rock, but I don’t live by Champaign-Urbana. Is there any chance that I ever will be able to see you?

First of all, thanks! Second, you may very well be able to see us. We do quite a bit of traveling, however, most of it is in the midwestern region. We  do high school tours every fall and spring in the Chicago and St. Louis areas, surrounding colleges, and every Spring Break we go on a massive road trip. To see if we’ll be near you, check out our schedule for updates on performances in your area.

You could also check out our videos on YouTube and our Facebook page!

Is there anything I can do to show some love for you guys?

Well, aside from attending our shows, we love hearing from our fans!  If you have something to say, sign the guestbook ! It’s always nice to read comments and suggestions from you!

What are the lyrics to “I Love Illinois”?

Good question! First for some history — they were written some years ago by Xchord Adam Rettberg. In more recent history, Alex Howe wrote a rap interlude which is included in our most newest studio rendition of the song.

I Love Illinois Lyrics

Now we all love our university
There’s nothing but corn as far as the eye can see
We love that echo spot and the good ol’ morrow plots
Just one school that’s good enough for me
And it’s time to give some R-E-S-P-E-C-T

refrain:
I love Illinois, it’s the greatest school in the country, baby
I love Illinois, so come and hang around the corn with me

Now hail the orange and hail to the blue
Hail alma mater ever so true
Wisconsin’s got no class, and Indiana can kiss my YEAHHH…
Just one school that’s good enough for me
And we don’t need no pointless scenery

refrain

Rap:
I said S-D-R-O-H-C-X
Yeah, that’s how it’s spelled backwards, and here’s what’s comin’ next
Illinois it is the place to be,
Even though when you look around there ain’t nothin’ much to see
There ain’t no fjords or gourds, but Xtension Chords
Those guys who sing to you all day long and leave you wantin’ more
But it was orange and blue from the start,
I don’t have to tell you that those colors are true in my heart
Now here is just an aside,
This guy is bustin’ with Illini pride
And we’re not floating down the Susquehanna,
We’re just some guys from Champaign-Urbana!!

I-L-L! I-N-I!

In football here’s the switch,
We’ll make Michigan our… (victims of friendly competition)
Just one school that’s good enough for me
Right here in the middle of Xtension Chord country

Refrain