Any Pioneers looking to send a personalized, potentially embarrassing Valentine’s Day gift this year now have one more unique option, thanks to the girls at DU First Edition. DU’s new all-girl a capella group is selling singing Valentine’s Day grams, or “DUFE Grams,” perfect for any special person.

New love? Old Flame? Bromance? Girl Crush? DUFE has options of four different songs appropriate for each. Students will have the opportunity to choose from “Kiss You” by One Direction, “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, “Treasure” by Bruno Mars or “Come and Get it” by Selena Gomez.

The co-founders and co-presidents, Kayla Frazee, a senior majoring in criminology from Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Julie Bourne, a senior communication studies major from Seattle, say that the DUFE gram idea is a fundraiser attempting to bring in enough money for the girls to do performances in the remainder of the school year, including the Mile High Vocal Jam in April. Frazee and Bourne are enthusiastic at the potential opportunity to attend clinics at the Vocal Jam for one to two days, followed by performing alongside other groups from DU and surrounding schools.

Students can set up a time and location for their Valentine’s Day surprise between Feb. 10 and 14, and a group of six to eight of DUFE’s finest will meet at a designated time and location to serenade their special audience. The girls allow customization of the routine as well.

“We’ll be getting in contact with these people and if they want to pop out in the middle after our song or whatever we’re willing to work with them to make it customized,” said Julie Bourne, co-president of DUFE.

The group will meet at a location of choice (preferably one with as many onlookers as possible), including dining halls, Driscoll, lobbies of academic buildings, coffee shops near campus, etc. They only ask for students not to request singing in classrooms so as not to disrupt teaching, and they require easily accessible locations on or near campus. The time slots are Monday through Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
DUFE will be on the Driscoll Bridge advertising the week prior to and the week of Valentine’s Day. They are charging $5 for each song request and one dollar extra to add candy for the valentine. They will also be doing Facebook advertising, so everyone is encouraged to like their Facebook page.
The co-presidents shed some light on DU First Edition, which is in the midst of its first full year at the university. Frazee and Bourne started DUFE last year because they missed group singing in a laid-back, fun atmosphere and they hoped to create a tight-knit, small group of girls with a passion for performing. Since auditions began in the spring of last year, there has been increasing interest and more girls hoping to audition for the group, according to Frazee and Bourne. Now, with 14 members, the group is forced to be highly selective with who they accept into the auditioned group.

“We’re a group that you won’t get lost in, you’ll be able to do solos and meet new people,” said Bourne.

Frazee added, “We have everyone all across the board and we’re all friends.”

Frazee and Bourne say that four seniors are leaving this year, opening up a few more spots for hopeful new members of the group.

Pioneers hoping to hear more from this group of singers can contact DUFE directly and request a song to embarrass and flatter their special someone.
The time slots will be first-come, first-serve, so students are encouraged to contact DU First Edition through Facebook, by email at DUFirstEdition@gmail.com, or contact any DUFE member.