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BERKELEY, Calif. (KTVU) -- With new students getting acclimated at UC Berkeley, on Friday night, there was a free "Welcome to A Cappella" concert to entertain the young scholars in their new environment and put them at ease.
It's an event organized by students for students. Their voices are their instruments.
"I found it very fascinating that these people are forming the chords with their voices and didn't really need an instrument in order to have full sound," said sophomore a cappella singer Nandini Krishnaswamy.
Their performance was a showcase for their talents outside the classroom.
The stage at Hertz Hall a venue to take the edge off the high expectations of academic achievement as the new school year begins.
"There's no place where I'm more happy than when I'm performing in front of an audience. That's really my happy place," said senior Mallory Welty.
These student singers, from sophomores to seniors, say joining their a cappella group helped them form new friendships.
"We're like a family. We're really close that comes with spending a lot of time with each other," said Krishnaswamy.
Dil Se is among the 16 groups performing. Their genre: a fusion of Indian music with western influence, a union that they hope will open minds and hearts.
"It's really powerful. It's nice to hear the resonance...the volume," said Krishnaswamy.
The performers hope this welcome concert sets the tone for new students and encourage them to find their rhythm on campus.
Many have math and science majors, but they say this outlet gives them balance.
"Doing a lot of original songs, there's an even more creative side to it where you can really express yourself," said senior Chris Brown.
The concert played to a full house. Students sang outside for the enthusiastic overflow crowd.
"I want them to take away that Cal is a place where people from all kinds of different backgrounds and cultural identities can come together with just the love of music and being able to put differences aside in the name of just making beautiful music," said Welty.
Many students tell KTVU this annual "Welcome Back to A Cappella" concert was their first exposure on campus to an activity that helped enhance their experience at Cal.