The Student Activities Programming Board sponsored a free concert featuring the a cappella group, Tonic Sol-Fa. 

About 30 people participated in the show by singing along and clapping to keep the beat. 

Tonic Sol-Fa opened the show by joking that they actually wrote the lyrics to the Backstreet Boys' "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" while they sang their own version of the song. 

The group, from St. Cloud, Minn., sang different renditions of songs such as "I Saw You Standing There," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and "Stand By Me." 

They also sang unusual songs such as the theme from Scooby Doo and the Oscar Meyer wiener song. 

The group explained its name stands for Do, Ra, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do, and members came up with the name while looking through a dictionary. 

“Tonic Sol-Fa has electrified hundreds of college campuses across the country,” Dennis Hicks, graduate adviser for the programming board, said in a news release. “They have also been nominated three times for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ by the National Association of Campus Activities.”

The group has also been named a top-five finalist for the national “Contemporary Artist of the Year” award for the fourth year in a row, according to their Web site.

Along with this, Tonic Sol-Fa was presented the “Hall of Fame” award and been voted one of the top-five “must see groups on the college circuit” by Campus Activities Magazine.

Each year Tonic Sol-Fa performs more than 250 shows in 40 states.

They have also performed at state fairs in Minnesota, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Indiana and South Dakota, and for NBA and Major League games.

Tonic Sol-Fa has sold more than 40,000 copies of its releases, “Four Hours and 12 Days” and “Left Turns in Cross Traffic.”

After the show, the members of Tonic Sol-Fa were available for anyone who wanted to speak to them. 

"This is the first time we have been to Marshall," said Tonic Sol-Fa member Greg Bannwarth.  "The people have been really nice and helpful. The crowd was also very fun." 

The group tours the United States giving community and college concerts, Bannwarth said. 

"We haven't toured overseas yet," he said. "Our CDs are out over there though." 

Because they sing so often, they do certain things to keep them going. 

"We always have to warm up our voices. It's like running or any other sport," Bannwarth said. "We also have to drink lots of water and avoid caffeine." 

The group got together in college and decided to make it a business and go on the road, Bannwarth said. 

They have opened up for many famous acts, said Shaun Johnson, of Tonic Sol-Fa. 

"We have opened for Bryan White, Lone Star and Chad Brock," Johnson said. "We have also opened for comedians and other country groups. We are planning on opening for Marc Anthony soon." 

They got to meet Boyz II Men and get business advice from them, Bannwarth said. 

"I don't necessarily think I always wanted to be a famous singer," Bannwarth said. "But if you’re going to do something, do it right." 

The goal for the group doesn't necessarily mean getting a big record deal, Johnson said. 

"We have grassroot goals," Johnson said. "We want to make it big, but by doing it our way." 

Agina K. Schnell, sophomore from Charleston, said she had never heard of Tonic Sol-Fa but learned about the concert from a friend. 

"The group was very talented with their voices," Schnell said. "It was a good experience and very fascinating." 

Schnell also thinks Marshall should have more things like this. 

"It is a good opportunity to be exposed to different experiences," Schnell said. 

More information is available about Tonic Sol-Fa by visiting their Web site at www.tonicsolfa.com.

Story by Courtney Ross