SUN CITY – Sporting their signature crisp, white shirts and colorful ties, the young barbershop quartet “Individuality” took the stage at the Cesarone residence this July, performing for the Birthday Group of Neighborhood 7, treating the Del Webb crowd to classic croons and modern melodies.
“I wanted our friends to meet our grandson, Christian, and the rest of the boys, and thought it would be so nice if they could come sing for us,” said Jackie Cesarone. “I was as proud as can be, and the songs they chose were so enjoyable.”
In addition to Christian O‘Kelley, 17, the a capella quartet “Individuality” from Lombard, IL, is composed of members David Bacon, 18; Josh Dunn, 18; and Eric Iannelli, 18. The young men began their group with the motto “Four Men, One Purpose” while attending Glenbard East High School and have recently brought their talent out of the classroom.
“Our choir director Mr. Catt said that if we were to start our own quartet, different from anything we’ve done before, that he would definitely support it,” explained Bacon. “So, at one of our first rehearsals, Josh, Christian, Eric, and I sang this one really cool-sounding chord together, and we all said ‘yes!’ And our relationship as a quartet just clicked,” he added.
In July, “Individuality” serenaded the N.7 Birthday Group gathered at the Cesarone residence to celebrate the birthday of Darlene Loeffler, singing old favorites such as “In the Good Old Summertime,” “You‘re a Grand Old Flag,” and “My Wild Irish Rose.” The spirited singers also offered newer tunes by Michael Buble and The Plain White T’s.
“It went beyond our expectations,” remarked Carl Cesarone. “Everyone sat quietly to listen and smiled and applauded after every song. They got really into it. The performers had the audience in their hands.”
The performers shared matching sentiments.
“I thought it was an amazing opportunity and experience,” said Bacon. “We added more barbershop songs for this performance, and even during the songs that the audience didn’t know, they still just enjoyed us as singers. It was great that everyone was so responsive to our songs,” said Bacon.
Iannelli felt similarly about the birthday performance.
“It was fantastic! It’s always great to entertain people who want to be entertained. And it was nice to get a picture with Darlene when we called her up at the end of the show,” said Iannelli.
The wide range of music in “Individuality’s” repertoire has a special source. O’Kelley is the musical arranger for the group, customizing many of the songs to suit the singer’s unique voices.
“I arrange most of our pieces, such as the modern and contemporary ones,” explained O’Kelley. “I can custom-arrange these songs to fit our voices. Many of the old barber shop tunes fit our voices nicely without arranging, which is a pleasant coincidence,” he added.
O’Kelley will be a senior in high school this year, while Bacon, Dunn, and Iannelli, high school graduates, intend to study their first years in college locally, keeping “Individuality” intact for at least another year.
“We will all still be close to home, so we can meet as much as possible,” said Iannelli. “We’re working on more barbershop, which we learn very quickly. I’m looking forward to learning more songs and making more music together.”
O’Kelley also sees a bright future for the group.
“Sky’s the limit,” he said.
