Nine singers crowd around a single piano, eager and happy to be there. Spontaneous laughter is dispersed throughout the room as the group learns songs for the winter holidays. The atmosphere is one of intimacy.

The Mistletones are a new choral group in Piedmont, established last spring by co-presidents juniors Bryn Lawson and Krysia Olszewska. The group meets once a week for about two hours to prepare songs for their performances at parties and other social gatherings.

Lawson and Olszewska said that the Mistletones were created to provide students with a place to sing at a high level without having to commit a period to the school Acappella class.

“There should be more opportunities [for students] to be able to sing outside of the school Acapella class and have more choice in songs,” Olszewska said.

Lawson and Olszewska said that the group is different than the Troubadors, another prominent choral club.

“We tend to sing music that’s more on the modern side,” Lawson said. “They’re separate entities.”

The intrigue of learning about music while having fun lured many members, including sophomore Will Reicher.

“[I joined Mistletones] because it was an opportunity to voice my passion for singing and music without too huge a commitment,” Reicher said.

At the weekly rehearsals, the ambiance is typically relaxed and fun.

“It’s a very fun and crazy environment,” Olszewska said. “[But] then [everyone] focuses in and becomes productive. Eventually we’ll hit perfect harmony.”

Although they are currently preparing songs for the winter holidays, Lawson said the group hopes to be versatile and sing different genres after the holidays. They plan to rename the group after the holidays.

Reicher, Lawson and Olszewska encourage students to join the club. Those interested in joining the club or simply finding out more about it should contact Lawson or Olszewska.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to learn a lot about music and also have a great time singing,” Lawson said.