A lot of exciting developments since we last mailed you.This month we have a little article by Rosalind Tan who enjoyed herself tremendously at our vocal jam session in March where she was charmed by Neri Per Caso. We have news and updates on competitions here and overseas which you can participate in, photos from the last jam session and more information about our upcoming concerts from A CappellaFest 2004 to feature concerts by The Notations and nanu! You simply have to read on!
Yours In Harmony
Angie
p/s For those of you who have tried to send attachments or mails to us and have not received responses, pls note that this mailbox is guarded by MailGuard and it automatically removes messages that contain infected files. Pls do not give up on contacting us, just mail us again if you have not received a response in due time.
(1) FEATURES
NERI PER CASO AT OUR VOCAL JAM!
Submitted By Rosalind Tan
Those of you who missed the vocal jam on Sunday 28 March 2004 really missed a wonderful treat. And I say this not only because Neri Per Caso, the Italian sextet A Capella group performed as part of the opening celebrations of the Arts House. Rather the atmosphere and our local artist Huang Lie Chuan ensured a proper build up to the Neri Per Caso show - The Arts House was appropriately decked with some of the local “arts scene glitteria” chatting animatedly in the corridor outside the auditorium; there was excitement in the air – and the seats filled up very quickly and late comers gathered around the doors.
That afternoon’s activity commenced with Angie who whipped the audience into physical and vocal gymnastics. We sang rounds and canons for warm ups. Members of Neri Per Caso dressed in simple black Tees streamed in and sat dispersed among the ordinary mortals present. Angie put us through our paces in her own inimitable way, joined in by members of Neri Per Caso. A warm and bohemian mood engulfed the gathering – everyone was game to try coaxing sounds from their throats.
This was followed by Beat Boxer Lie Chuan who enthralled the audience with his “spitting” – producing initially single dimensional drum sounds and then building up to a marvelous combination of sounds of bass, drums and cymbals from merely pursing or stretching his lips and controlling his throat Boy, it was educational – Lie Chuan made it all seem so effortless. However, when the cajoled audience attempted “spitting” too, the sound produced was far from “bass-like” – ok it was not a piece of cake after all!
And it was at that stage that the 6 member Italian sextet came on stage, introducing themselves through an interpreter. “Neri Per Caso” means “Black by Chance” – the name came about when the members ended up dressing in black whenever stumped on what to wear. The members knew each other for a long time before coming together as an A Cappella group – in fact two pairs are cousins. While English might not be their forte, their music certainly transcends any language limitations.
I don’t know about others present but that informal air gave me a feeling of being enveloped in a gathering of family and friends. Without any musical instrument, the auditorium was filled with the sounds of drums, bass and brass as if there was a full band accompaniment – all this achieved with lips, throat and other body movements, including appropriate chest thumping.
Some technical glitches with some microphones not working, irritated a little but did not mar the occasion as the group turned that irritation into an opportunity to joke in charming Italian accented English. The audience was clearly charmed by the music that flowed so easily from the group and enthusiastically attempted to follow the directions of the sextet. Neri Per Caso performed for about 40 minutes and all too soon it was over. I left with a heady sense of benevolence – definitely on a high and thirsting for more.
LOCAL GROUPS OVERSEAS OPPOTUNITIES
Local groups, nanu and The Notations are submitting their applications in hope to travel to Tilburg, Netherlands to compete at the International Vocal Group Festival organised by UNISONO.
They will also get an opportunity to perform as well on the Open Stage at the Festival and will be attending vocal workshops during the 3-days. One fabulous addition to this festival is the intensive clinics available to qualified jazz singers and conductors 3 days prior to the commencement of the Festival. These pre-fest clinics will be conducted by Michelle Weir and Phil Matterson, only the largest names in the jazz a cappella scene. Arrangements are now being sort for the groups to perform in neighboring cities as well.
Both groups have plans for public concerts this year to be held at Mox Bar & Café. The Notations will host their concert on the 27th & 28th of August and nanu will host their concert on the 17th & 18th of September. Different sets of repertoire and different themes to spice up the nites! Tickets are set for $35 ($25 for concession tix) and comes with one drink. So do consider supporting local musicians and save those dates and mulah!
VOICES CARRY – A CAPPELLAFEST 2004
Join us for a feast presentation of local a cappella groups in a concert set up to support our local a cappella scene! Big wigs like Wolu Singers, Ngam, TicTacTone, The Notations and nanu will perform at the Festival Concert – the first organised by TAS. Special guest Budak Pantai will also be there to add some spice to the celebrations.
It will an evening of vocal music presentation that will leave you in wonderment, showcasing the prowess of our local a cappella groups! You should bring your friends along! It’ll a great avenue to start anyone on one aspect of the arts and or vocal music.
More details on ticketing soon. www.a-cappella.org.sg
(2) SUNDAY VOCAL JAM – APRIL 2004
This Sunday we get together at our favourite haunt – Mox Bar & Café. We will be singing a doo wop number, My Girl and a ballad, It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye.
Pick up your vocal chords and come on down for an enjoyable afternoon of music-making. If you feel a little shy, just come on down and bask in the company of ever friendly singers. For the brave-hearts, we’ll put you on mics during the sing-a-long.
Regular Programme at the Jam: Welcome & Intro, Vocal Warm Ups & Tips, Presentation by Resonance, Jam Time!!
Sunday Vocal Jam
24th April 2004, Sunday
3pm – 5pm
Mox Bar Café
21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #04-01. [Opposite the road from Maxwell Market, next to the Methodist Church and directly above Ya Kun Kaya.]
Write to zara@pacific.net.sg or sms 97921429 for seat reservations. Call 94506872 during office hours.
(3) VOCAL TRAINING
New classes commencing in April (Monday Nights and Saturday). Write us for more details at zara@pacific.net.sg . This 8 week, level 1 class will take you through the fundamentals to good singing. $200 per participant. 1 ½ hrs per week. Class size of 8.
(5) 2004 NATIONAL COMPETITION (Various Categories)
We already have the high school category filled up to about 9 groups and counting. We are still waiting for word from college and open cat groups about your interest in the competition.
If you have worries about the deadline or recording of your demos – write us at zara@pacific.net.sg and let us know how to help you. We can help you source for music, rehearsal space, singers, mentors…you name it. :P
Mail us for the rules & regulations!
(7) ASIAN A CAPPELLA COMMUNITY UPDATES
Taiwan – The 4th Taiwan Choral Ensemble Competition will be hosted by the Taiwan Choral Music Centre on the 2nd & 3rd of October. Registrations are now open for groups to participate in. A very exciting competition that comes right before the National Championship for Contemporary A Cappella organised by The Chinese A Cappella Association. For more details log on to www.tcmc.org.tw
The National Championship of Contemporary A Cappella, 2004" is scheduled for Oct. 9, & 10 at the National Chen-Chi University (NCCU) and National Taiwan University(NTU); the organizer, Taipei Contemporary A Cappella Association (TCAA), anticipates the participation of at least 40 vocal groups in this competition. www.chineseacappella.com
(8) TIDBIT
March SVJ Photos have been loaded up at . Use this password to view the photos!
www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287176923&code=9898822&more=invite
Password: 12345
(9) AUDITIONS
The Necessary Stage has a community project coming up, SING SONG, and they are currently auditioning and still searching for musical groups in south east of Singapore to participate in this project.(marine parade, katong, mountbatten, bedok, chai chee, siglap, simei, changi)
For more information on The Necessary Stage visit www.necessary.org or call Sean Tobin at 97431483.
(10) GIG UPDATE
25th Apr Sunday Vocal Jam @ Mox Bar & Café, 3pm – 5pm
23rd May Sunday Vocal Jam @ Mox Bar & Café, 3pm – 5pm
27th May Pasir Ris Choir Concert. The concert will present the choir’s a cappella group is action!
16th July National A Cappella Competition
30th & 31st Jul A CappellaFest 2004 – Voices Carry at ACS Barker Concert Hall.
21st Aug AMK Choir Concert.The 2nd half of this concert turns into a vocal festival of sorts with guest group, nanu, accompanied by AMK’s guy group Hose Reel and it’s gal group.
27th & 28th Aug FEVER! By The Notations @ Mox Bar. Tix at $35.
17th & 18th Sep nanu’s inaugural public concert @ Mox Bar. Tix at $35.
23rd Oct Flying Pickets Concert. www.flyingpickets.com More details to follow.
Dec Camp A Cappella 2004.
Free Admission unless otherwise stated. If you wish to list your gigs and performances with us, please write to Angie at zara@pacific.net.sg We will be putting up this information on our web site as well.
(11) CONTACT US
If you'd like to submit articles, news and updates, volunteer your services or send in your comments, please do not hesitate to write us! We look forward to hearing from you. For folks who are keen to join this mailing list, please send us a note to the same address.
The A Cappella Society
zara@pacific.net.sg
Comments