The Syracuse University Mandarins are changing the a cappella game at their annual concert, Mandarins Live!, on Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.
The Mandarins
The evening’s special guest performer, Hernz Laguerre, is well known on campus for his talented, spoken word poetry. He is Syracuse’s biggest “Fandarin” and was honored to accept an invitation to perform with the Mandarins.
Mandarins Live! is the Mandarins’ biggest concert of the academic year, where the ladies perform all of their fans’ favorite songs. This year’s repertoire will include old favorites like their “Single Ladies/Run the World” Beyoncé mashup and “Cinderella” from the beloved Cheetah Girls movie. The Mandarins will also show off some newer arrangements like “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen,” as well as a crowd pleaser that will be unveiled at the show.
It is customary for Syracuse’s a cappella groups to host a guest collegiate singing group at their shows; but this year, the Mandarins decided to use this opportunity to connect with a different facet of the arts at Syracuse University. Laguerre’s poetry opens the door to a new tradition of student-run arts performance and creative student collaboration on campus.
“Jay Z says it best when he said that at the end of the day, actors, singers, rappers, poets and more are all artists,” Laguerre says. “I can’t wait to share my art with everyone that comes and to share the stage with the very talented Mandarins.”
The Mandarins are Syracuse University’s premier female a cappella group, founded in 1996. They uphold a long tradition of superior musicality and professional performance. Laguerre is a sophomore broadcast and digital journalism major, with minors in political science and English and textual studies, and a member of the Syracuse football team.
