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From the Desk of The A Cappella Society ~ AUGUST 2007

A Cappella mania has all but exploded! In July, we saw some veryexciting groups bring down the house at the National A Cappella Championships 2007. Of course, we were entertained by their gallimaufry of songs although one must admit there were hits andmisses. From the very tedious "Lean On Me" to an ingenious rendition of Elijah Rock, the music and each group's showmanship had somethingcolorful to contribute to each night. We, at the A Cappella Society,are especially heartened to see the intense competition this year, as a result of the groups? escalated standards. Yet, despite the close fights some groups have had, there can only be one winner. This year's champions are:
Secondary School Category: The Exclamations
Junior College Category: Altered
Senior College Category: Resonance
Open Category: Dischordant

Remember, the championships only signaled the start of the fun-filledmonths ahead. In August, look out for our workshops that will satisfy your A Cappella needs, be it song-writing/arranging or managing an acappella group. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that Upbeat,a previous champion of the National Championships is holding theirlast concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio this month. With so manyexciting A Cappella tidbits whetting your appetite this month, you might wonder what the main course would be. We will tell you anyway!The A Cappella Festival- the cream on the cake! It will be held on the4th and 5th of September, directed by Vincent Pang: featuring pyrotechnics (vocal and otherwise) from the very best of Singapore andAsia; if you are an undying enthusiast, we will expect to see you there. So get your tickets quick!

For The A Cappella Society
Angie & Alex Sassarak
www.a-cappella.org.sg
* These updates are correct to our best knowledge. Should there be any errors, kindly note that they are non-intentional.


NEWSFeature

Sonic Landscape ~ A Cappella Festival 07
4 September, 7.30pm, Victoria Theatre
5 September, 3pm, Victoria Theatre
5 September, 8pm, Victoria Theatre
This is the event that you have been waiting for. No, this is not the Robinson's excuse for a stock-clearing sale. This is the annual highly-anticipated show: The A Cappella Festival 2007. Directed byVincent Pang, the show promises an endless night/afternoon of fun foryou, your friends, your loved ones and your family for the only things nude are the music and voices, although some performers might be clad skimpily.Otherwise, this is the show for everybody and anybody. Everybody who can come, should and must come; else, they risk missing out one very thing that is A Cappella or in other words, exciting, in Singapore.Scroll down to Events for more information.


News
The theme of A Cappella Festival continues in October and gets an evenmore international, distinctly German flavor. First, Java Five, four singers and a guitarist presenting all your Big Band favorites, will come to Singapore after their performance at the Penang Jazz Festival. Followed a week later by their countrymen, the Stouxingers, who will stop in our country fresh after their performances in Taiwan.

Soundbites
UpBeat sings "Good Ol' Acappella"
UpBeat is the Open Category Champion of the Singapore A CappellaChampionships 2004. This 6-member group has sung at the EsplanadeConcourse and the Outdoor Theatre and has done masterclasses with A'cappella ExpreSSS, the Swingle Singers and the Magnets. They have also appeared regularly in the annual AcappellaFest. Their 2005 concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio was sold-out and well-received and they are now back with a second concert, featuring their famous close-harmony blends of jazz, oldies, pop and Broadway tunes.For this concert is likely to be the last one that UpBeat will sing before taking an indefinite break, join them one final time and pamperyourself with an evening of Good Ol'Acappella!
Esplanade Recital Studio
Tuesday 14 August 2007
Wednesday 15 August 2007
7.30pm
Tickets at $20 (excluding $1 SISTIC fee)
This programme is eligible for the 60% STB Arts Grant subsidyBuy your tickets now through SISTIC: www.sistic.com.sg, 6348 5555

Ab Oriente 's next concert
Get to hear some very extraordinary early music! Ab Oriente, a group of five very amazing singers, will perform Madrigals by Monteverdi and Horatio Vecchi. Vecchi's Amphiparnasso, one of the earliest operas inthe form of a Madrigal Masque will also be performed. The program ismainly A Cappella while some pieces will feature the harpsichord. Go and support this performance for chances to know such gems are really rare.13 and 14 September (Thursday and Friday) at 8pm in Singapore Art Museum.Tickets are at $21 and $17.

G3nerations
G3nerations was conceptualized to showcase 3 generations of composers who are linked through a teacher-student relationship. Goh Toh Chai, a renowned local composer with Professor Charles Hoag and Dr Andrew Bonacci , will have their works performed during this concert.This concert is the celebration of an art: the art of composition.While many of us are usually familiar with the performers of a pieceof music, the composers are usually not known. Of course, there arethe few exceptions of famous composers, but by and large, composers are shadowed by the performers of their works. Of course, onintuition, this should not be so. By putting up this concert, the Amadeus Choral Society aims to balance the scales somewhat and makemeaningful and memorable, a Teacher's Day.$20 1 Sept 2007, 8pm-Victoria Concert Hall. email tickets@amadeus.org.sg for tickets and more information.www.amadeus.org.sg

Blog
Visit our Blog and add or post your comments at http://www.a-cappella.org.sg/blog.html !

EVENTS
A Cappella Festival 07
This year's festival will be held at the Victoria Theatre during the school holidays on the 4th & 5th of September. We have an outstanding cast of performers just lined-up just for you! From Singapore: Key Elements, NANU, VoCollision, Tic Tac Tone, Beats Association, TAS Youth Voices, winners from the A Cappella Championships 2007 and more! Our Asian friends, SJTone (Korea) and Wicked Pitches (Malaysia), will also join us for evenings of fun-filled times.What?s more, we?ll premiere our Fest for Kids, an afternoon show withand for kids! So let us bring you on a musical odyssey through thesonic landscapes of A Cappella.The shows will be directed by our resident Director, Vincent Pang (ACappella Festival 2006).Tickets are available from Gatecrash, www.gatecrash.com.sg

Camp A Cappella
Our annual end-of-the-year, 2 day camp is coming nearer. This year'scamp will be held at the end of November. Beside the top local trainers we will have guest clinicians Deke Sharon from the US and Larry Detwiler from Jakarta. More details shortly on our website: www.a-cappella.org.sg

The CompanY
Philippino vocal group The CompanY will present a mix of A Cappella and accompanied songs in a concert on 2 December. Keeping the theme ofthe festive season they will include a number of Christmas songs from their latest album in the repertoire. More details shortly on our website www.a-cappella.org.sg

Gig Update
14 August UpBeat sings "Good Ol' Acappella" 7.30pm, Esplanade Recital Studio, $20
15 August UpBeat sings "Good Ol' Acappella" 7.30pm, Esplanade Recital Studio, $20
25 August Give Thanks Hallelujah Oratorio Society 30th Anniversary Concert 7.30pm, Victoria Concert Hall
1 September G3nerations 8pm, Victoria Concert Hall, $20
4th September A CappellaFest 07 feat SJ Tone (Korea) 7.30pm, Victoria Theatre
5th September A CappellaFest 07 for kids 3pm, Victoria Theatre
5th September A CappellaFest 07 feat Wicked Pitches (Malaysia) 8pm, Victoria Theatre
13 September Ab Oriente, 8pm, Singapore Art Museum, $17
14 September Ab Oriente 8pm, Singapore Art Museum, $17
October International Vocal Festival with Java Five, Stouxingers, The Nylons
October Key Elements 7.30pm
November Camp A Cappella 2007
2 December The CompanY 7.30pm
December Xmas with The A Cappella Society
If you wish to list your gigs and performances with us, please write to contact@a-cappella.org.sg we will be putting up this information on our web site as well.
* Subject to changes

TRAINING Courses
Contemporary Vocal Technique
Are you confused by all the terms you hear about singing? Can you decipher and more importantly use your voice for a variety of singing styles? This course aims to provide singers with a good foundation in singing technique (posture, breathing, anatomy, support, tone production) and then guide you on how you can use your voice for a variety of musical genres as apposed to just choir singing or operatic singing or just pop singing.Singers will go through the 8 sessions exploring first the foundations of good singing habits and following that, attempt to sing at least 4 songs of different musical genres. A follow up class that focuses on repertoire building or a specific genre will be available then after.At the end of the 8 sessions, there will be a short recital of songs by each student.Class commences 11th September 2007 (Tues) for 8 sessions 7pm - 9pm, Trainer: Angelina Choo, $250
www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html

TAS Ensemble 12-week training course
Come explore contemporary a cappella with the TAS adult ensemble as we embark on a 3-month journey through the world of the human voice. This twelve-week series of seminars-cum-rehearsals culminating in a public presentation promises to equip you with the fundamental skills of acappella performance.

Experienced clinicians will lead you and your fellow singers through a discussion of various topics, including i)recent developments in a cappella music, ii) elements of blend inclose harmony, iii) dynamic microphone technique, iv) an introductionto vocal percussion, and iv) basic staging and song presentation. You will also be guided through the rehearsal of 3-4 songs from a varietyof genres to practice your newfound knowledge. So if you have always wanted to be a part of an a cappella group, but could never figure out how to get one started, or find the right people to sing with; or if you've been singing for a while, and want a new perspective on contemporary a cappella music, then this is thecourse for you! If you'd like more details, or would like to sign up, please email contact@a-cappella.org.sg .The next course starts in September! Please register until 27 August.
Cost: $300 for 12-week course. www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html

Workshops
Song Writing For A Cappella Workshop
Learn how to write a song. From catching lyrics to captivating music and blending it into a fascinating song. Keith Kwok will show you howto bring your idea onto a music sheet. Keith studied at the famousBerkely University and is the Director of School of Music & The Arts SoMA at ParkMall.
Trainer: Keith Kwok (SoMA)
Time: Saturday 25 August 3-5pm
Price: S$ 30
www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html

Vocal Improvisation and Vocal Jazz Workshop
Learn to produce the sound of a Jazz band with your voice alone with Zalina from the Wicked Pitches.
Trainer: Zalina
Time: Saturday 1 September 3-5pm
Price: S$ 30, S$ 15 (students)
www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html

Vocal Percussion Workshop
Learn the technique of vocal percussion with Hyun-Il Choi from SJ Tone.
Trainer: Hyun-Il Choi
Time: Saturday 1 September 7-9pm
Price: S$ 30, S$ 15 (students)
www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html

Introduction to Vocal Instrumentation
Learn to produce the sounds of various instruments with your voice with Hyun-Il Choi from SJ Tone.Trainer: Hyun-Il Choi
Time: Sunday 2 September 3-5pm
Price: S$ 30, S$ 15 (students)
www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html

Vocal Instrumentation: Learn to produce the sounds of various instruments and the music of a Big Band with your voice.
Trainer: Java Five
Time: Saturday 6 October 3-5pm
Price: S$ 50
www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html


Arts Education Programme with NANU
Our assembly programme continues with full swing after the holidays! The Society did many shows in the schools in the first half of theyear, and Rock pop A Cappella with NANU was well received everywhere and got excellent reviews, all the way from Primary schools to theNational Institute of Education! Make sure you catch a programme that presents an interactive presentation of contemporary songs catering toan audience of all ages. This programme is available all-year round.It is part of the NAC's Arts Education Programme and is Tote Board Fund approved.The Society also has training programmes and workshops available for schools. More details on our website www.a-cappella.org.sg
TAS Youth Voices Training Every Sun 2pm
Vocal Training Classes
Individual vocal training is available all year, contact us for details.


A CAPPELLA GROUPS
TAS Groups
TAS Ensemble ?
Mixed group ages 20 and aboveTAS Youth Voices ?
Mixed group ages 12 and above
TAS Babies ? Mixed ages 5 - 11
TAS Beat Boxers ? all ages male & female If you are interested to be part of the Society as a singer or beatboxer, auditions are open to everyone young and young at heart. There will be multiple levels of training available for a variety of singers and age groups. Send us an email at contact@a-cappella.org.sg if youwould like to be the first to know. Tell us which area you are interested in and we'll definitely be in touch.


Vocal Jams
Jam sessions with the TAS Ensemble are back. Drop by at our space at
TAPAC every Saturday 3-5pm and sing with us!


MEMBERS
Membership 2007
Price: S$ 20
Get:
* Discounts on concert tickets
Sonic Landscapes - A Cappella Festival 4 & 5 September 2007
Java Five, Stouxingers, The Nylons October 2007
The CompanY 2 December 2007
Xmas with The A Cappella Society December 2007
* Discounts on vocal workshops
Workshops September 2007
Workshops October 2007
Camp A Cappella Nov 2007
* Discounts on training courses
TAS Ensemble course
* Discounts on CDs
Vocal Six
m-pact
Mandarin A Cappella
Key Elements
* Exclusive company promotions
* Special events
And so many more! With so many benefits beyond your wildest imagination, what are you waiting for? Download the Membership form at www.a-cappella.org.sg/members.html today!

ADMIN
Rehearsal Space
Haven?t found a space for your rehearsals yet? For $10/hour you canmake use of our room for your practice. Just drop us a mail if you are interested.


Shop Window
No Artistes Album Title Cost
1 Vocal Six (Sweden) International (2007) S$25
2 m-pact (USA) m-pact S$25
3 m-pact (USA) The Carol Commission S$25
4 Key Elements (Singapore) Better than Anything (2006) S$10
5 Various (Singapore) Mandarin A Cappella (2001) S$10
Shipping : $2 (Singapore) , $5 (Overseas)
All items are available in our office or via postal delivery. To order, please send us an email at contact@a-cappella.org.sg


Contact us
If you would like to submit articles, news and updates, volunteer yourservices or provide feedback, please do not hesitate to write us! Welook 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
www.a-cappella.org.sg
contact@a-cappella.org.sg
182 Cecil Street#02-07
Telok Ayer Performing Arts CentreS 069547

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