By Darcy Hickey
Staff Writer
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The classic question.
We have all heard it asked, and answered it ourselves many times as well. Common responses include doctors, firefighters, astronauts or a cappella singers.
Wait, a cappella singers?
That’s right. Whereas most children dreamed of becoming heroic, famous or rich, Pepperdine’s own Micah Foster has been dreaming of specializing in singing a cappella (without musical accompaniment) since the second grade.
When Foster was young, his family often took care of a vocal group called “A Cappella Vocal Band” when on tour. The more time he spent with the musicians, the more he fell in love with the sound of small-group a cappella music.
“I really looked up to them and admired them for their talent,” Foster said.
Foster has been involved in choirs ever since he was able to sing. He sang bass (the lowest vocal part) in small choirs from junior high through high school.
“I woke up one morning at age 13 and was surprised to find out that I had become a bass overnight,” Foster joked.
In high school, he also became a part of an independent quartet called One Way.
“One Way helped me to realize how real my dream was,” Foster said.
The a cappella group sang at churches, conventions, youth rallies and opened for groups such as Solomon’s Wish and La Rue.
When it came time to leave his hometown and One Way after his senior year, Foster decided to attend a college that had become a tradition in his family, Pepperdine University.
After leaving his close friends in Clovis, Calif. to come to Malibu in 2000, Foster felt a need to find another “tight-knit group” to belong to. Since his cousin AmberFoster, was part of Pepperdine’s six-person a cappella vocal group Won by One, Foster already knew many of the members.He decided that being in this group was a perfect way to continue on his musical journey and auditioned as a freshman.
Foster was not initially chosen for a position in Won by One, but he was not discouraged. He decided to focus on his studies as a religion major and use his talents to be a worship leader at Pepperdine.
After two years, Foster decided to take one last shot at auditioning for Won by One. This time he was added into the group as a bass.
That summer, he took his last chance at studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany, before his summer commitments with the group.
He said his experiences abroad turned into a spiritually and musically impacting summer for him.
“It gave me an international perspective on life and how one’s world works,” Foster said. “That replaced the common superiority complex of an American citizen.”
After Heidelberg, Foster was ready to begin his first year with Won by One.
“Though I’ve only practiced with them for five weeks so far, I have found that the different dynamics each member brings to the table, such as humor, diligence, spiritual guidance and experience, help the group to mesh well.”
Foster has learned that being a part of Won by One requires a lot of time, however.
“Practices are sometimes very demanding, but it is all enjoyable work,” he said.
“I understand that in order to be a successful group, hard work is expected and required of us. I try my best to do my part.”
Foster said that being part of Won by One has been a dream.
“My life has been ideal,” Foster said. “Every seemingly negative instance has brought something positive. If I was accepted into Won by One as a freshman, I would have not grown as much spiritually, socially and emotionally as I did in Heidelberg. I wouldn’t have become as close to Kristen Lowrey, Dan Long and T.J. Volgare through our music and memorable worship in the cathedral, as I did.
“God knew what he was doing,” Foster continued. “Now I have had both the experience of studying in another country and being part of a group I have always dreamed of. Worship through praise is how I am able to give back to God for all that he has blessed me with.”
Personal:
Name: Micah Foster
Major: Religion
Hometown: Clovis, Calif.
What he first notices about a person:
“How they carry themselves,” Foster said. “I look for their eye contact, posture and if their head droops. These things show how much confidence they have.”
The mystery about his hair:
“Yes, those are gray strands of hair,” Foster said. “I cut it before Heidelberg and let it go through many stages there. Now I am just trying to decide on what I want to do with it.”
Favorite pastime:
Writing in a quote book, which he started in Germany. It contains quotes from people, poems, thoughts and lyrics.
Favorite place he traveled to this summer:
Cinque Terre, Italy
Funniest Movie:
“I just have to say ‘Strange Brew,’ ” Foster said. “It is a Canadian ‘Dumb and Dumber’ from the ‘80s.”
Most loved music group:
Jason Ingram, Boyz II Men, Pax 217 and everything else except country.
What he loves to eat the most:
Anything from McDonalds with a Diet Coke.
Experience with vocal performance:
Junior high choir and high school choir, One Way, Songfest, Pepperdine Concert Choir, Won by One.
Random quote from the summer in Heidelberg:
“All things are connected to Chi, Songfest and right-winged conservatives,” Foster said.
Favorite publication to read:
The Zeitgeist.
October 03, 2002