Every one of the nine groups within our society has its own distinct characteristics and focus areas. With such diversity, the simplest—and most effective—way to categorise them is by asking one key question: Are they an auditioned group or not?

Out of the 9 groups, 5 of them are unauditioned. This includes Bristones, Topnote, Brizzlebox, Tonerangers, and Wontones. Everyone can join these groups, whether you're new to singing or a veteran. Moreover, the ability to read music is not a requirement (we have audio recordings of the arrangements provided), although mastering it will enhance your overall a cappella experience. Lastly, there is no need to sign up to join these groups, just swing by our rehearsals and start singing! 

As such, to join the remaining four groups: Bristol Suspensions, Academy, Pitch Fight, and All Sharps, you will have to participate in an audition process. For more information about auditions, please keep an eye out for our Instagram page announcement, or visit our external page about auditioning here.

Bristones is the society's non-competitive, mixed, unauditioned group. It is known for its chill, undemanding rehearsal style that welcomes people of all abilities, experiences and voice parts. As the largest group in the society, Bristones rehearses for 2 hours every week, allowing you to meet new friends while singing your hearts out. It is the perfect way to get a taster of A Cappella Society! Our main committees will also be regularly attending rehearsals to welcome new members and help them adapt to the society's environment. Although non-competitive, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-competitive concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure! 

If you would like to join and want to know more about the group, reach out to us @UoBAcapplla or @Bristones. Whether you're just a beginner, a shower singer, or an Aca-veteran, don't hesitate and come along!

What your year in Bristones could look like! 

Topnote is the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's non-competitive, higher-voice, unauditioned group. Top Note is known for its ability to reach its top form and hit its top note (see what we did there?). Topnote rehearses for 2 hours every week, similar to other unauditioned groups. Nonetheless, they boast a tightly knitted by hosting regular nightouts, drink and game nights and karaoke socials during term time. The group also wear their trademarked bandanas during their performances, making them easily recognisable and iconic members of the A Cappella Society, whether on and off stage. Speaking of which, they are the first unauditioned group to release their performance on YouTube - Check it out below!

Although non-competitive, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-competitive concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure!

If you would like to join and want to know more about the group, reach out to us @UoBAcapplla or @TopNote and start your A Cappella era with us!

What your year in Topnote could look like
 

 Tonerangers is the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's non-competitive, mixed, unauditioned group. The group is known for their interactive and dynamic performance style. Tone Rangers usually rehearses for 2 hours every week, but sometimes they hold extra rehearsals depending on the song's difficulty. The dynamics this year between members are top-notch, comprising capable members from all competitive groups in various lower voice parts. In other words, Tone Rangers always act as the lower voice backbone of the A Cappella Society. After rehearsals, it is also the group's tradition to go to the pub for drinks. On occasion, the manager/musical directors of the group will also hold smaller karaoke sessions or dinner socials for the members of the group. Although non-competitive, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-competitive concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure!

Whether you're Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble or just a beginner in singing, don't hesitate to reach out to @UoBAcapplla or @ToneRangers. All levels of people are welcome!

What your year in Tonerangers could look like 

Brizzlebox is the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's beatboxing group. The group is known to showcase their wacky arrangements and odd sounds in the many concerts held by the society throughout the year. They also run occasional beatbox workshops, do circle jams, and freestyle a beat/song in our rehearsals. Depending on the vibe, they might hold friendly beatbox battles as well!

If you can’t help yourself from making peculiar noises and would like to join, reach out to us @UoBAcapplla or @Brizzlebox. Don’t hesitate to come along and show us your weirdest sounds and craziest beats! All levels of beatboxing - whether you're a beginner or a beatboxing champion - are welcome!

🗣️🗣️🗣️ B Tss T B K B Pff B T T Tss Pff B Tss K K B B K T Pshhh 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

As the society's Chinese-oriented group, Wontones was initially created and labelled as a barbershop performance at the non-comp concert in 2025. After gaining resounding success by performing 'Kung Fu Fighting' by Jack Black and 'Twilight' by Singaporean singer JJ Lin. The newly elected main committee that year decided to make it a permanent group to welcome international students and increase diversity, further aligning the society's goals with the SU's.

Initially pitched as a joke by the gen-11 beatboxer of Bristol Suspensions after 3 hours of intense badminton and a few pints at Wetherspoons during Winterbreak, the initial name of the group was BOFE (Best of Far East), referencing the society's biggest annual performance, BOSW (Best of South West). With non-comp approaching and new, creative performances being required, the idea of a Chinese-oriented group and its feasibility was recognised by the main committee, especially the then vice president, equality officer, and gigs coordinator. The first MD of the group thus renamed the group into Wontones, members were recruited, and rehearsal commenced.

The group quickly gained popularity after the performances, alongside its quirky introduction, impressive duets and kungfu choreography introduced by first-gen members. As such, a brand-new 9th group of a cappella with unlimited potential was born.
 

What your year in Wontones could look like

The Bristol Suspensions (or simply Suspensions) is the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's mixed, auditioned, competitive group. Throughout their existence, the Bristol Suspensions have become a hit with audiences across the country, and are known for their unique arrangements, stunning vocals, and high-energy performances. The group sings a variety of music, from pop to jazz to techno – you name it, they’ve sung it!

As one of the longer-standing groups in the Society, the group has debuted over 2 decades ago, releasing multiple Albums over the years. Their successful Album, Red Hot, was released in 2021 and was nominated for 10 CARAs (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards), and won four, including ‘Best Mixed Voices Collegiate Album’.

Suspensions have also performed at various gigs and competitions, including LUKAS, Best of South West (BOSW) and Irish International A Cappella Festival and many more. The group has a glorious history, being crowned champions on multiple occasions: Voice Festival University in 2016, Irish International A Cappella Festival in 2019, and Solevoci International A Cappella Contest Champions in 2024. Being a regular contestant in the ICCAs, the group was UK champions in 2021 and received awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Choreography and Vocal Percussion. Following the win, we secured interviews on local TV stations as well as an appearance on ITV’s This Morning. In 2025, the group was awarded the best arrangement in the 2025 ICCAs with Recordplayer by AJR and Daisy the Great.

Suspensions also busk on the streets of Bristol every week, and perform in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival every August. The group has achieved massive success in their Fringe performances, having sold out in both 2022 and 2023.

As a competitive and auditioned group, Suspensions is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @Bristolsuspensions for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group (although recommended). So don't hesitate to sign up!

Please note that being a member of a competitive group is a big commitment – there are rehearsals, weekend trips, video shoots, and studio recordings. Members are expected to learn music outside of rehearsals. That being said, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to have, and an amazing way to enhance your time at university.

Also, check out the group's Spotify here!

 Academy is the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's male and non-binary, auditioned, competitive group. The group is known for their high-energy performances, camp, chaos and killer vocals - all at once.

In 2020, Academy recorded and released their CARA-winning debut album, Exhibit A; their 2023 album, Ad Astra, has seen them partnering with Better Together: a Mental Health Fundraiser, which has also raised over £2000 for MIND. As for their most recent release, Blue Shift, it is also out on all streaming platforms! Featuring classics such as Waterloo, Under Pressure, and Lay Me Down.

Academy has also performed at various gigs, including Vocal Jam, the ICCA’s and LUKAS, which took place in Bristol and across the country!
Of course, the group also performed at some society events, including our collaborative charity concert with the Men’s Rugby society (which raised over £1,000!), and the Best Of the South West (BOSW), where we got to see many incredible A Cappella groups from unis all around the southwest perform! The group also busk on the streets of Bristol occasionally to

Alongside our sister group Pitch Fight, the group made their triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (after a couple of years off thanks to covid), with our show “the Aca-prentice”, followed by our 5 star, sold out show - “Aca-Villa: The Love Island Musical” with our upcoming production this summers of “Pirates of the Acarribean”, taking place at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025!

As a competitive and auditioned group, the Academy is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @Academy for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group. So don't hesitate to sign up!

Please note that being a member of a competitive group is a big commitment – there are rehearsals, weekend trips, video shoots, and studio recordings. Members are expected to learn music outside of rehearsals. That being said, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to have, and an amazing way to enhance your time at university.

Also, check out the group's Spotify here

What your year in Academy could look like

As the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's female and non-binary, auditioned, competitive group, Pitch Fight is known for their choreography, vocals, and arrangements.

In 2020, Pitch Fight recorded and released their debut album, Purple Reign, featuring songs such as Fire, E.T., and Back to Black. As for their most recent single release, It's a Man's Man's Man's World, is also out on all streaming platforms!

Pitch Fight has also performed at various gigs, including Clicendales, Best of South West (BOSW) and LUKAS. The group also came third in ICCAs 2021 (yes, the competition in Pitch Perfect), while winning best choreography and best arrangement simultaneously. The group has also participated in multiple charity performances, such as performing in the local elderly home, Catherine's House, and occasionally busking in Bristol.

Check out their award-winning performance down below!

 Alongside their sister group Academy, the group made their triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (after a couple of years off thanks to covid), with our show “the Aca-prentice”, followed by our 5 star, sold out show - “Aca-Villa: The Love Island Musical” with our upcoming production this summers of “Pirates of the Acarribean”, taking place at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025!

As a competitive and auditioned group, Pitch Fight is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @PitchFight for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group. So don't hesitate to sign up!

Please note that being a member of a competitive group is a big commitment – there are rehearsals, weekend trips, video shoots, and studio recordings. Members are expected to learn music outside of rehearsals. That being said, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to have, and an amazing way to enhance your time at university.

Also, check out the group's Spotify here

 As the University of Bristol A Cappella Society's longest-running A Cappella group (previously HotTUBBS), All Sharps is the Society's non-competitive, mixed, auditioned group, known for their harmonies and arrangements.

All Sharps usually rehearses for 2 hours every week, but sometimes they hold extra rehearsals depending on the song's difficulty. Although non-competitive, being auditioned means that the group has a slightly higher standard compared to other unauditioned counterparts, incorporating choreography and leading barbershops in concerts.

In 2020, All Sharps recorded and released multiple Albums, such as The Longest Time, Caught Up In A Dream, and their most recent release, Upon The Edge, featuring Alps, Waves, and Awaken.

As an auditioned group, All Sharps is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @Allsharps for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group. So don't hesitate to sign up!

Of course, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-competitive concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure!

Also, check out the group's Spotify here