A Bit of Hollywood Heading for Hopewell

The Dartmouth Aires, the college a cappella group who took second place on NBC’s all-vocal competition series The Sing-Off on November 29, will bring its vocal magic to Toll Gate Grammar at noon and to Hopewell Elementary School at 2 p.m. on December 13.

The appearances will be limited to members of the school communities due to space limitations.

A 16-member, all-male group, the Aires performed in a live season finale of The Sing-Off on November 29 in Los Angeles. Throughout the season, the group wowed the judges with its performances of music ranging from pop tunes to country to rhythm and blues.

One of the members, Robbie Hoffman, grew up in Pennington and attended Toll Gate Grammar School, Timberlane Middle School, and the Lawrenceville School. He is currently a junior at Dartmouth. His parents, Penny and Rob Hoffman, live in Pennington.

The group first sang at Hopewell Elementary last December.

“They blew the kids away,” said HES music and choral teacher Michele Alford, who is family friends with the Hoffmans and was instrumental in setting up the appearance. “Some of the faculty were saying it was the best assembly they’d ever seen here. We’ve all been following them on the show, and we are so excited to have them back.”

“We’re so excited to welcome Robbie Hoffman back to the stage where he first performed as a young boy,” said Toll Gate Principal Dan Umstead. “We are so proud of how far he’s gone, and know he will inspire our students in the pursuit of their own dreams.”

Mrs. Alford said HES students would collect donations for Saving Strokes, a charity that assists stroke victims. The Aires held a fundraiser for the group as part of their experience on The Sing-Off because the mother of one of the singers is a stroke survivor. Students will present their donations to the Aires at the group's Hopewell Elementary appearance.