Concert: AKA A Cappella VII

Date/Time: 22, 23, 30 Sep 2012 (time varies, see below)

Venue: NUS University Cultural Centre

Ticket Price*:

• Opening Night (22 Sep, 7.30 pm): Cat 1: S$50; Cat 2: S$40; Cat 3: S$30
• O-Kai Showcase (23 Sep, 2.00 pm): Cat 1: $30; Cat 2: $25
• Maytree Showcase (23 Sep, 7.30 pm): Cat 1: $30; Cat 2: $25
• Suade Showcase (30 Sep, 7.30 pm): Cat 1: $30; Cat 2: $25

Note:

• 15% discount for Students with valid pass.  
• 15% discount for NSF with valid pass.  
• 15% discount for Senior Citizens aged 55 and above.
• 10% discount for OCBC Cardholders.  
• 10% discount for any AKA A Cappella VII shows for purchases above $250 in a single receipt. Not applicable with other promotions.

* prices exclude booking fee

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Proudly supported by the National Arts Council (NAC), the AKA A CAPPELLA (AKA) series is the largest and longest running a cappella extravaganza in Singapore, and has been showcasing the best a cappella groups in the local and international scene since its inception in 1996.

The biennial concert was last held in 2010 in Victoria Theatre Singapore and was hosted by Jake Moulton, vocal percussionist of top US a cappella group, The Housejacks from San Francisco.
The AKA A CAPPELLA series of concerts it is now in its 7th edition, and will be held in September this year at the NUS University Cultural Centre.

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List of Performers:

• Opening Night (22 Sep 12): Maytree (Korea) | O-Kai Singers (Taiwan) | Vocaluptuous | Key Elements | MICappella | Juz-B
• O-Kai Showcase (23 Sep 12, 2 pm): O-Kai Singers (Taiwan) | After Six
• Maytree Showcase (23 Sep 12, 7.30 pm): Maytree (Korea) | NUS Resonance
• Suade Showcase (30 Sep 12, 7.30 pm): Suade (Australia) | SMU Voix

You can get your tickets via Gatecrash here:

• Opening Night
• O-Kai Showcase
• Maytree Showcase
• Suade Showcase

There will also be workshops held in conjunction with the Festival. For more information, visit the organiser's website here.

Concert: NAC-ExxonMobil: Concert at the Park

Date/Time: 2 Aug 09, 5 pm

Venue: West Coast Park (carpark 3, behind McDonald's)

Ticket Price: Free Admission!!

---Courtesy of our friends at A Cappella Sounds---



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Be spellbound as we bring you many exciting performances by our renowned local music acts – Budak Pantai, The Lion Story and EN-X including Electrico presenting NDP 09
theme song amidst the lush greenery of the West Coast Park! This concert promises something for everyone!

Be spotted in your most stunning red and white outfit to receive ArtReach freebies and be part of this great celebration. Early birds will receive a NDP 09 goody bag! So pack your picnic baskets and come party with us!

Organised by National Arts Council, sponsored by ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd and supported by National Parks Board. This event is part of the National Day 2009 celebrations.

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Listening Recommendations: Michael Jackson Tribute

Hi all,

We thought it'll be unfitting of us to not have a Michael Jackson tribute.

Here are some of his most renown works sung either a cappella or with choir. Enjoy!

Sing-ing Sunday

This is our blog's 100th post!

The following are a few clips of local polytechnic and university choirs. Enjoy...

NTU Choir.

Doesn't everybody love Sisters Act. Fast forward to 3:53 for a Sisters Act medley.



Ngee Ann Polytechnic. This is my first time listening to a polytechnic choir, actually.



And here's NP's LinkaGe.

Concert: A Cappella Championships 09

Date/Time: 31 Jul 09 (Sec Sch), 1 Aug 09 (Choir), 2 Aug 09 (Open/College), 7.30 pm

Venue: Arts House Chamber (31 Jul 09), Esplanade Recital Studio (1-2 Aug 09)

Ticket Price:

Free Admission (31 Jul 09)

S$25, S$20 - Students, TAS members, purchases of 10+ tickets (1-2 Aug 09)



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Don't miss your chance to be a part of the biggest A Cappella competition ever held in Singapore! A total of 31 groups has registered for the A Cappella Championships 09, held over 3 days, 31 July at The Arts House Chamber and 1 & 2 August at Esplanade Recital Studio. Tickets for the Finals on 1 August (Choirs) and 2 August (Open/College) at Esplanade Recital Studio are available from The A Cappella Society, find all infos and details on our website www.a-cappella.org.sg Mrs Fields - Prize Sponsor of the A Cappella Championships Thanks to Mrs. Fields, you now have the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds! Present your ticket stubs for the A Cappella Championships and you get a 10% discount for all products at all Mrs Fields outlets. Not only that, coupons will be distributed on the competition days at the door before the start of competition. You will be entitled to a free nibbler with no strings attached when you present the coupon at any Mrs Fields outlet! (Not valid with other promotions) Coupons are limited and they are given out on a first come first serve basis, so do come early and support your favourite A Cappella teams!

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Book your tickets through The A Cappella Society, by mailing them this booking form, or contacting them at 94559407, Fax at 64459835 or email: contact@a-cappella.org.sg. Do note that cheque payments must be made before 24 Jul 09More info can be found here.

Concert: Agapella's 7th Birthday Concert

((We sincerely apologise for not plugging this event earlier.))

Date/Time: 10-11 Jul 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA, Campus 3, 151 Bencoolen Street

Ticket Price: Standard - S$7

---Courtesy of A Cappella Sounds---



Agapella's Youtube video of its rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D has been viewed more than 20,000 times and has attracted rave reviews from around the world for its smooth blend of harmonies. Yet we've never performed the song in public... until now. Be among the first to hear them perform this song and many other contemporary numbers spanning a plethora of genres, all this in a two-night only musical fiesta on 10th & 11th July 2009!

In celebration of our 7th anniversary, Agapella presents our biggest concert yet, Seven @ 8. We'll serve up fan favourites like "I Will Follow Him" (popularised by the movie, Sister Act) and "Testify To Love", on top of brand new arrangements. Among the new numbers, don't miss the re-written lyrics to the tune of the classic "Good 'Ol A Cappella". The concert will be a delight for the entire family with Agapella's unique brand of music and tight harmonies, together with a zany dash of theatre for a toe-tappin' good time!

Agapella's debut album, "Follow That Star" was released in 2007 to much acclaim. The album will be made available for sale at the concert. Don't forget to stick around for the post-concert refreshments (included in the ticket price) and hang out with Singapore's coolest vocal band!

* Every 5 tickets purchased in a single receipt will entitle you to a complimentary copy of the album,“Follow That Star”. Please present receipt at the door on the evening of the performance for redemption.

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Get your tickets from SISTIC today! Alternatively, contact them at agapella@gmail.com, or for more info do visit their blog.

Concert: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Date/Time: 14 Jun 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$80, S$60, S$45, S$30, S$20

*10% discount for ArtsFest Club Members
ArtsFest Club Members to quote or key password upon purchase.

10% discount for General Sales Package I (2-3 shows)
15% discount for General Sales Package J (4 shows & above)

20% discount for Local / International Full Time Students, Senior Citizens (60 yrs old & above) and NSFs

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Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album, 2005 & 2009

Come witness the spectacular return of nine-man a cappella choir, Ladysmith Black Mambazo – the voice and soul of South Africa.

Following its raved international debut in Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland, this household name in world music has transcended the poverty and dark times of apartheid to become the cultural ambassador of South Africa. Formed in the troubled 1970s by Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs indigenous Zulu music, blended with the choral traditions and sensibilities of Christian gospel music. Its message of peace, harmony and unity has won the hearts of the world, having been invited to perform at Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and concerts for the Queen of England, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela. Three Grammy Awards and numerous nominations attest to the heartrending and spiritual power of its music.

“It’s amazing what real music can do.” – Timesunion.com

In a career that has spanned nearly thirty years Ladysmith Black Mambazo have recorded forty albums, sold over 6 million records and brought home 3 Grammy awards. The group is a national treasure of the new South Africa, in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa. Black Mambazo has also been invited to perform at many special occasions, including two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a concert for Pope John Paul II in Rome, 1996 Summer Olympics and during Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. Time does not seem to be slowing down Ladysmith Black Mambazo as they continue to travel the world, spreading their message of “Peace, Love and Harmony”.


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Book your tickets from SISTIC today!

Sing-ing Sunday: Boy Band-ish

Nice!

Sing-ing Sunday: A Few Student A Cappella Groups

I suppose the group is from Sheares Hall, NUS? A lighthearted cover version of a popular song by The Corrs, if slightly pitchy.



Also from Sheares Hall.



Now, we have Kent Ridge Hall. "Hitori" was originally by The Gospellers, an a cappella pop group from Japan.

Extra:



By... some Temasek Secondary School students! Their energy and tight sound (coming from youths 13-17 years old) put many other a cappella groups to shame! :O



More from Temasek A Cappella Group (TAG). Visually simple yet good! The two tall chaps frame the three shorter girls in the background. I digress, but isn't visuals an essential part of live performances :)

TAG is an optional CCA in Temasek Secondary School. Cool...

Listening Recommendations: Barbershop Quartets

A while ago I was doing a web-trawl, searching for nice a cappella songs to listen to.

The vast majority of uploaded clips - low-quality recordings of live performances by school or college a cappella groups - are rather out of tune or have imbalanced parts. Although it was refreshing to hear today's chart-topping songs such as Timbaland/One Republic's "Apologize" and other familiar recent songs such as Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" re-arranged for a cappella, I wanted to hear a live a cappella performance without, well, cringing.

The answer is obvious. Type "barbershop" into the search bar! Barbershop music, if sung well, is very lovely for its smooth chords and the way all the tones blend perfectly to sound as if each of the singers has the same voice. The singers are perfectly co-ordinated: their pronounciation, duration of each note and even their style, such as the way they lilt the notes, are by today's standards astounding. Think "Hide and Seek" without the computerised sound.

Two of my favourite quartets are the Chordettes and the McGuire Sisters.

Okay, I veer slightly off topic now. They aren't classified as a cappella groups (their chart toppers were not a cappella songs), but were two famous music acts way back in the past. When co-ordinated harmonious singing was popular with mainstream audiences.

The following is the Chordettes' hit song which most should already know:


This is the McGuire Sisters with another barbershop quartet. Try searching for "Sincerely" or "Sugartime", two of their popular hits.


Well, the following isn't barbershop per se. But it did include a short barbershop quartet prelude. Enjoy.

Concert: Naturally 7 @ Singapore Mosaic Music Festival

Sunday, 22 Mar 2009, 7.30pm.

From the Mosaic Music Festival website:

"To call Naturally Seven an impressive live performance would be a huge understatement... the performance could have brought down a stadium." - The Lonely Note

From bellowing brass to thumping bass, scratching vinyl to ripping drum solo, every sound that you hear from Naturally 7 emerges from their mouths - naturally. For the hugely-talented US-based, seven-member ensemble does not play musical instruments but delivers its full-bodied music with the most natural instrument of all - the human voice.

Standing out from the plethora of a cappella gospel and R&B groups in the American music scene today, Naturally 7 kicks the late 90s' urban sound up many notches with what it calls "vocal play".

Specifically, impressive instrument mimicry and vocal acrobatics in flawless harmonies, the group's vocal play sees its members swapping leads and beats while replicating the sounds of diverse instruments to create full rhythm tracks and the sound of a full band in an artful blend of various genres of music - gospel, R&B, jazz, funk, hip-hop, rap, soul and beatboxing.

The impact of Naturally 7's music, best experienced live, has inspired standing ovations and rave reviews through the group's five-album career and its tours throughout Europe and the USA. Today, Naturally 7 is stronger than ever, continually evolving to include diverse "instruments" and sounds while staying true to its love for music, its powerful, "sticks and stones can't break these tones" (Wall of Sound) delivery, and its uplifting messages of hope and empathy.

Naturally 7 is Garfield Buckley, Rod Eldridge, Warren Thomas, Jamal Reed, Roger "N'glish" Thomas, Dwight Stewart, and Armand "Hops" Hutton.

Tickets are still on sale, with limited concessions available for students and NSFs. If you need to be convinced that this gig is worth going to, visit Youtube for more of their videos.