Hi everyone! The weekend is here once again and the local Singapore Youth Festival�s choral competition is over! Most of us have emerged victorious in our pledge to bring a cappella music to local schools. Riverside Secondary School Choir bravely competed with a negro spiritual and a Filipino POP a cappella arrangement. That in itself is a break through � woohoo!
April saw a visit by the Hosuejacks at a concert by the Go-Getters � way to go gals! The next concert to look out for is The Magnets in May. www.themagnets.com Suave, electrifying and totally engaging - check them out!
We realise from the gathering with the Housejacks and local groups that many people do not know enough about what The A Cappella Society does. So to clear the air, here�s what we do:
1) Annual Programmes inlc Camp A Cappella, School Tour, Championships, Festival Concert
2) Sunday Vocal Jams
(3) Newsletter
4) Supporting local groups / overseas and local performance opportunities and we are now looking at fund-raising for an office and staff to widen our programmes All this is currently done by one to two persons and a small team of project based volunteers.
http://www.a-cappella.org.sg
Happy reading! This month, we have an article contributed by Simone Khoo from Vocaluptuous on their experience singing in Taiwan.
And finally, Sunday Vocal Jam is up this Sunday. Do remember to write or call to book your seats!
For The A Cappella Society
Angie
P.S... These updates are correct to our best knowledge. Should there be any errors, kindly note that they are non-intentional.
(1) FEATURES
HOUSEJACKS IN SINGAPORE
They came to town, they sang and left us with our jaws hanging in awe. The men from Housejacks, including www.casa.org founder and past Camp A Cappella Clinician, Deke Sharon performed at several locations in Singapore including Thumper night club, Raffles City and of course, Fort Canning Park. Despite the gloomy weather, the concert in the park was a pleasant experience.
The guys sang rock songs from their albums and gotteh crowd grooving and the highlight of the evening was a session of songs that the audience picked � talk about having an extensive repertoire and familiarity with a whole bunch of songs from genres that included rock and roll, retro and even classical! The ensemble showcased their musical acrobatics and superb team work during that showcase.
If you missed the concerts and workshops, the Housejack CDs are available at all Gramaphone CD outlets. http://www.housejacks.com
BUDAK LAUNCHES BLOG PAGE
Budak Pantai has launched a newly designed blog page for all their fans to keep in touch. Check it out! http://budakpantai.motime.com
(2) ACTIVITIES
VOCAL JAM
Join us for our next jam session in April! We sing, we eat and we laugh a lot. Basically a cosy afternoon where singers get to exercise their vocal chords and non-singers get to try their hand at singing contemporary a cappella tunes with the help of other singers. Come join us in April!
Date: 10th April 2005 , Sunday
Time: 3pm � 5pm
Venue: Fig & Olive Caf� ( Somerset Apartments)
Address: 51 Bencoolen Street, #01 - 06 (across from NAFA School of Design carpark entrance)
FREE Admission
Drinks start at $1.80.
No prior singing experience required! Nearest MRT Bugis.
Map:
BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW! Write us at zara@pacific.net.sg or call Angie at 94506872
(3) ARTICLE
VOCALUPTUOUS � BACK FROM TAIWAN (By Simone Khoo)
Vocaluptuous returns to Singapore after staging two successful concerts in Taiwan. The locals displayed their love for A Cappella music through their excitement and enthusiasm during the concerts in both Kaohsiung and Taipei.
After an opening by two of their popular local groups, H2O2 and YOHO, the audience welcomed Vocaluptuous with cheers and thunderous applause right after the group started their first set with an introductory song Singapura, beautifully arranged by John Lee. Their selection of songs for the first set showcased the group�s harmony with Jazz standards like On The Sunny Side of the Street, to the group�s rendition of Neri Per Caso�s Le Ragazze, which had the audience clapping and swaying along. By the time they ended with the popular Chinese song Ye Lai Xiang, Vocaluptuous had completely won the audience over.
The second focused on the stylistic approach to various genres ranging from ballads to Bossa Nova to R&B. Vocaluptuous touched hearts with Quando (Someday), swayed bodies with the cool Desafinado, and reached out to the audience with passion through Boyz II Men�s I Do. And like icing over cake, the group brought the house down with its closing number, a powerful rock anthem, Queen�s We Will Rock You, fused with the traditional Taiwanese folk song of Ah Li Shan and Justin Timberlake�s Rock Your Body.
It was an exhilarating experience watching everyone, from the audience to the stage crew, dancing to the sounds of A Cappella, breaking all conventional ideas about the genre. Vocaluptuous was then brought back on stage by a standing ovation and screaming fans, all shouting for an encore. Then the party continued with the highly-charged R&B number Thank You, a song that expressed the appreciation of the group for the warm welcome they received in Taiwan.Outside the concert hall, the group was greeted with clamouring fans asking for autographs and pictures, once again showing that A Cappella music is not just a niche market, but it�s a genre that can be appreciated by all who love music. Learn more about Vocaluptuous at www.vocaluptuous.com.sg
(4) CONTESTS
NATIONAL A CAPPELLA CHAMPIONSHIPS 2005
Calling all groups and groups-to-be! Take on the challenge and target to perform and sing your hearts out at this year�s battle of the vocal bands!
There will be 3 categories of competition:
1. Secondary School Groups
2. College Groups (ITE / POLY / UNIVERSITY / JC)
3. Open Category
Prizes in each category:
1st Place - $800 and Trophy & performance in A CappellaFest 05 & Esplanade Outdoor Gig
2nd Place - $400 and Trophy
Semi-Finals : 21st June @ The Esplanade Concourse � FREE ADMISSION
Finals : 8th July @ The Esplanade Concourse � FREE ADMISSION
Write to zara@pacific.net.sg for a copy of the registration form plus details.
(5) AUDITIONS
METRO PHILHARMONIC CHOIR RECRUITMENT
Metro Philharmonic Youth Choir (MPYC) is currently recruiting choral singers, preferably altos and tenors with singing experience, between the ages of 16 and 35, to perform in their annual concert, Aurythmics V in September 2005.
Rehearsals are held every Saturday, 3.00pm till 6.00pm at 9C Sam Leong Mansion, Sam Leong Road.
Interested parties are welcome to contact Mr Ng Eng Kee, at 9650-1578(HP) or email to mpychoir@yahoo.com. For more details at www.geocities.com/mpychoir.
(6) RECORDING ALBUMS
Tat Tong is a man with a mission - to make quality a cappella albums for Singaporean groups at affordable rates.
Graduating in May from Cornell University with a masters degree in computer science, Tat has worked with California-based a cappella producer extraordinaire Bill Hare, as well as acclaimed producers Dave Sperandio and John Clark. If you are looking at producing your own school album or an album for your group, check out www.tattong.com/t2 . On top of being a singer and musician, Tat�s extensive experience in the American a cappella recording community is a treasure to keep.
(7) REGIONAL HAPPENINGS (REPEATED)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - THE BREAKERS CONCERT
The Breakers are an international a cappella group, led by Malaysia's very own musician/composer, Adam Farouk. They will be appearing at the Securities Commission Auditorium in Kuala Lumpur on April 14-16, 2005 with a repertoire that includes songs like "This Love" by Maroon 5, "With Or Without You" by U2, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder and originals penned by Adam Farouk, The Breakers Artistic
Director.
Free showcase - April 11 at 9.30pm at Alexis Bistro, Great Eastern Mall, KL
Shows: April 14, 15 and 16 at 8.30 PM at the Securities Commission Auditorium. Tickets: RM40, RM60, RM80 and RM100.
Master Class at 3PM on April 16. Tickets : RM20 for this Master Class (same venue)
Tickets go on sale March 23 www.axcess.com.my.
Interested to travel up with local a cappella supporters? Contact us at zara@pacific.net.sg
JAPAN � KANSAI A CAPPELLA JAMBOREE
This annual summer festival will fall on May 14 in Kyoto. Initiated 7 years ago by Masaya Inoue san of a cappella group Breeze, it has since expanded to include performances by over 30 bands with an audience-ship of thousands. http://www.phaco.net/kaja/pc/index.html
Interested to travel up with local a cappella supporters? Contact us at zara@pacific.net.sg
(8) GIG UPDATE
8th Apr Budak at Blue Moo www.bluemoo.com.sg
10th Apr Sunday Vocal Jam 3pm � 5pm, Fig & Olive Caf� (Bencoolen Street)
May The Magnets in Singapore www.themagnets.com
End May Singapore Street Festival 2005www.singaporestreetfestival.com/ssf2005.html
21st Jun National A Cappella Championships 2005 � Semi-Finals
8th July National A Cappella Championships 2005 - Finals
� 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. For more local listing and muses, please find them at http://acapellamusic.blogspot.com founded by Kang Chingmei
(9) 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
April saw a visit by the Hosuejacks at a concert by the Go-Getters � way to go gals! The next concert to look out for is The Magnets in May. www.themagnets.com Suave, electrifying and totally engaging - check them out!
We realise from the gathering with the Housejacks and local groups that many people do not know enough about what The A Cappella Society does. So to clear the air, here�s what we do:
1) Annual Programmes inlc Camp A Cappella, School Tour, Championships, Festival Concert
2) Sunday Vocal Jams
(3) Newsletter
4) Supporting local groups / overseas and local performance opportunities and we are now looking at fund-raising for an office and staff to widen our programmes All this is currently done by one to two persons and a small team of project based volunteers.
http://www.a-cappella.org.sg
Happy reading! This month, we have an article contributed by Simone Khoo from Vocaluptuous on their experience singing in Taiwan.
And finally, Sunday Vocal Jam is up this Sunday. Do remember to write or call to book your seats!
For The A Cappella Society
Angie
P.S... These updates are correct to our best knowledge. Should there be any errors, kindly note that they are non-intentional.
(1) FEATURES
HOUSEJACKS IN SINGAPORE
They came to town, they sang and left us with our jaws hanging in awe. The men from Housejacks, including www.casa.org founder and past Camp A Cappella Clinician, Deke Sharon performed at several locations in Singapore including Thumper night club, Raffles City and of course, Fort Canning Park. Despite the gloomy weather, the concert in the park was a pleasant experience.
The guys sang rock songs from their albums and gotteh crowd grooving and the highlight of the evening was a session of songs that the audience picked � talk about having an extensive repertoire and familiarity with a whole bunch of songs from genres that included rock and roll, retro and even classical! The ensemble showcased their musical acrobatics and superb team work during that showcase.
If you missed the concerts and workshops, the Housejack CDs are available at all Gramaphone CD outlets. http://www.housejacks.com
BUDAK LAUNCHES BLOG PAGE
Budak Pantai has launched a newly designed blog page for all their fans to keep in touch. Check it out! http://budakpantai.motime.com
(2) ACTIVITIES
VOCAL JAM
Join us for our next jam session in April! We sing, we eat and we laugh a lot. Basically a cosy afternoon where singers get to exercise their vocal chords and non-singers get to try their hand at singing contemporary a cappella tunes with the help of other singers. Come join us in April!
Date: 10th April 2005 , Sunday
Time: 3pm � 5pm
Venue: Fig & Olive Caf� ( Somerset Apartments)
Address: 51 Bencoolen Street, #01 - 06 (across from NAFA School of Design carpark entrance)
FREE Admission
Drinks start at $1.80.
No prior singing experience required! Nearest MRT Bugis.
Map:
BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW! Write us at zara@pacific.net.sg or call Angie at 94506872
(3) ARTICLE
VOCALUPTUOUS � BACK FROM TAIWAN (By Simone Khoo)
Vocaluptuous returns to Singapore after staging two successful concerts in Taiwan. The locals displayed their love for A Cappella music through their excitement and enthusiasm during the concerts in both Kaohsiung and Taipei.
After an opening by two of their popular local groups, H2O2 and YOHO, the audience welcomed Vocaluptuous with cheers and thunderous applause right after the group started their first set with an introductory song Singapura, beautifully arranged by John Lee. Their selection of songs for the first set showcased the group�s harmony with Jazz standards like On The Sunny Side of the Street, to the group�s rendition of Neri Per Caso�s Le Ragazze, which had the audience clapping and swaying along. By the time they ended with the popular Chinese song Ye Lai Xiang, Vocaluptuous had completely won the audience over.
The second focused on the stylistic approach to various genres ranging from ballads to Bossa Nova to R&B. Vocaluptuous touched hearts with Quando (Someday), swayed bodies with the cool Desafinado, and reached out to the audience with passion through Boyz II Men�s I Do. And like icing over cake, the group brought the house down with its closing number, a powerful rock anthem, Queen�s We Will Rock You, fused with the traditional Taiwanese folk song of Ah Li Shan and Justin Timberlake�s Rock Your Body.
It was an exhilarating experience watching everyone, from the audience to the stage crew, dancing to the sounds of A Cappella, breaking all conventional ideas about the genre. Vocaluptuous was then brought back on stage by a standing ovation and screaming fans, all shouting for an encore. Then the party continued with the highly-charged R&B number Thank You, a song that expressed the appreciation of the group for the warm welcome they received in Taiwan.Outside the concert hall, the group was greeted with clamouring fans asking for autographs and pictures, once again showing that A Cappella music is not just a niche market, but it�s a genre that can be appreciated by all who love music. Learn more about Vocaluptuous at www.vocaluptuous.com.sg
(4) CONTESTS
NATIONAL A CAPPELLA CHAMPIONSHIPS 2005
Calling all groups and groups-to-be! Take on the challenge and target to perform and sing your hearts out at this year�s battle of the vocal bands!
There will be 3 categories of competition:
1. Secondary School Groups
2. College Groups (ITE / POLY / UNIVERSITY / JC)
3. Open Category
Prizes in each category:
1st Place - $800 and Trophy & performance in A CappellaFest 05 & Esplanade Outdoor Gig
2nd Place - $400 and Trophy
Semi-Finals : 21st June @ The Esplanade Concourse � FREE ADMISSION
Finals : 8th July @ The Esplanade Concourse � FREE ADMISSION
Write to zara@pacific.net.sg for a copy of the registration form plus details.
(5) AUDITIONS
METRO PHILHARMONIC CHOIR RECRUITMENT
Metro Philharmonic Youth Choir (MPYC) is currently recruiting choral singers, preferably altos and tenors with singing experience, between the ages of 16 and 35, to perform in their annual concert, Aurythmics V in September 2005.
Rehearsals are held every Saturday, 3.00pm till 6.00pm at 9C Sam Leong Mansion, Sam Leong Road.
Interested parties are welcome to contact Mr Ng Eng Kee, at 9650-1578(HP) or email to mpychoir@yahoo.com. For more details at www.geocities.com/mpychoir.
(6) RECORDING ALBUMS
Tat Tong is a man with a mission - to make quality a cappella albums for Singaporean groups at affordable rates.
Graduating in May from Cornell University with a masters degree in computer science, Tat has worked with California-based a cappella producer extraordinaire Bill Hare, as well as acclaimed producers Dave Sperandio and John Clark. If you are looking at producing your own school album or an album for your group, check out www.tattong.com/t2 . On top of being a singer and musician, Tat�s extensive experience in the American a cappella recording community is a treasure to keep.
(7) REGIONAL HAPPENINGS (REPEATED)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - THE BREAKERS CONCERT
The Breakers are an international a cappella group, led by Malaysia's very own musician/composer, Adam Farouk. They will be appearing at the Securities Commission Auditorium in Kuala Lumpur on April 14-16, 2005 with a repertoire that includes songs like "This Love" by Maroon 5, "With Or Without You" by U2, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder and originals penned by Adam Farouk, The Breakers Artistic
Director.
Free showcase - April 11 at 9.30pm at Alexis Bistro, Great Eastern Mall, KL
Shows: April 14, 15 and 16 at 8.30 PM at the Securities Commission Auditorium. Tickets: RM40, RM60, RM80 and RM100.
Master Class at 3PM on April 16. Tickets : RM20 for this Master Class (same venue)
Tickets go on sale March 23 www.axcess.com.my.
Interested to travel up with local a cappella supporters? Contact us at zara@pacific.net.sg
JAPAN � KANSAI A CAPPELLA JAMBOREE
This annual summer festival will fall on May 14 in Kyoto. Initiated 7 years ago by Masaya Inoue san of a cappella group Breeze, it has since expanded to include performances by over 30 bands with an audience-ship of thousands. http://www.phaco.net/kaja/pc/index.html
Interested to travel up with local a cappella supporters? Contact us at zara@pacific.net.sg
(8) GIG UPDATE
8th Apr Budak at Blue Moo www.bluemoo.com.sg
10th Apr Sunday Vocal Jam 3pm � 5pm, Fig & Olive Caf� (Bencoolen Street)
May The Magnets in Singapore www.themagnets.com
End May Singapore Street Festival 2005www.singaporestreetfestival.com/ssf2005.html
21st Jun National A Cappella Championships 2005 � Semi-Finals
8th July National A Cappella Championships 2005 - Finals
� 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. For more local listing and muses, please find them at http://acapellamusic.blogspot.com founded by Kang Chingmei
(9) 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
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