EDITION ONE

Easter Term 2024 The Hooter team

Northern Lights Visible in NYC! Theodore Forcer

Durham Poetry Slams It Out Theodore Forcer

Klute's Closure Annabelle Langley

DUWS - South Around Durham Annabelle Langley

Albums of 2024 (So Far...) Harriet Hurley-Sweeney

South On The Compass Compass team

The Formal Tradition Amy Shuttleworth

Diving Into Southern Charm and Northern Grit at Durham Jagoda Szalewicz

Hooters Take On South Day Jagoda Szalewicz

The North East in South: The Impact of the Mayoral Election Tilly Bishop

16th June 2024 | Theodore Forcer

Northern Lights Visible in NYC!

South College is truly proud to have had Rupert Walker, intrepid Head FREP and talented performer represent us in New York City at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) finals! The Hooter catches up with Rupert on his experience with Northern Lights.

Generation 11 of Northern Lights follows in the footsteps of generation 10, both winning the UK ICCA semi-final and going on to represent the UK in New York. Northern Lights competed with beautiful renditions of 'If I Could Turn Back Time', 'Euphoria' and 'Do Your Thing', earning a nearly perfect score from one judge. Their full set is available on YouTube on the channel ‘Durham University Northern Lights’, as well as their sets from previous years.

Northern Lights have also been active in Durham’s live music scene, performing as part of an a cappella showcase in Durham Gala, as well as part of 'Fairytales' in the cathedral. Rupert reflects on the opportunities afforded to him by becoming a member, highlighting:

“In the past two years, we have released an album, represented the UK on Broadway twice, been crowned UK champions three times, produced sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows, and all while also performing countless gigs across Durham, from college days, to balls, to charity events.”

Anybody who has seen Northern Lights perform can attest that this star-studded group is absolutely phenomenal and radiates a genuine joy for performing. Rupert highlights:

“It’s easy to have a party on stage when we are all such close friends.”

This friendship was definitely evident at South Day, wherein the group performed an electric set that got the crowd up on their feet. Overall, Rupert reflects that:

“Auditioning for Northern Lights was by far the best decision of my time at Durham.”

And he encourages anyone who can sing, dance, beatbox or rap to audition to join Northern Lights in the new academic year.

Image: Northern Lights

Rupert's Review

Rupert Walker | Northern Lights member

Last year, and again this year, we were fortunate enough to qualify for the ICCA finals (if you’ve seen Pitch Perfect, yes - those ICCAs). This meant we were invited to compete against the other top nine groups in the world in New York’s Town Hall (technically a Broadway venue - a fact I milk at every opportunity). While getting all fifteen of us across the pond (and back) is, inevitably, a logistical and financial nightmare, eclipsed only by Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps, the experience was simply incredible both times round. Representing the UK and Durham University in the United States is truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime events that leave you reeling the second time you get to do it. The fact we earned that opportunity off the back of months and years of hard work only serves to enrich our memories of it. ∎