About Us
Omni Studios, Nashville, TN
The Ransom Notes is the premier co-ed a cappella group at the University of Texas at Austin. Emulating a musical style very popular in Northeastern universities, the group was created in 1996 by two students in the Plan 2 honors program, Rob Addy and Kevin Watts. Holding auditions each time a member graduates to maintain a 12-person (6 guys, 6 girls) ensemble, the group has developed into a powerful musical force on the UT campus and in Austin. The Ransom Notes concerts have brought in over 600 fans, and the group is currently at work on its 6th studio album.
The Ransom Notes performs contemporary songs and classic oldies, arranged for voices by its own members, ranging from Harry Connick, Jr. to Jimmy Eat World, from The Fugees to John Legend, and from Patty Griffin to Colbie Caillat. Each song in the group’s extensive repertoire has a different lead vocalist, a percussionist (beat-boxer) and six intricate accompaniment vocal parts. The Ransom Notes’ style resembles that of its Northeastern counterparts in form and concept, but has transformed over the years into something remarkable and unique. Pleasing to all ages and musical tastes, The Ransom Notes provides the Austin area with a live music experience like no other.
Currently under the direction of Samantha Strauss and Sam Rosen, the group usually performs two concerts a semester on the UT campus, and is featured at charity and private events of all kinds around the city. The Ransom Notes also travels to a different U.S. city every spring break to share its talents with other collegiate a cappella groups and random passersby on street corners.