Dear 2008*,
What shall you deliver? A few assassinations? A few typhoons? Will there be a Tsunami? A few fresh presidents? Anything unprecedented?
How many million death? How many million births? How many weddings? How many divorces? How many crimes? How many jailbirds? How many fresh loves?
Will you make the worldHappy or sad- or bah- fine
(the nasty adjective)? Or will you make it merrier? Or will you make a world war?
How will you be? How has the boss of yours, Mr. God written your horoscope?
How many A Cappella events
Will you attend?
How many poems will you write?
(Poem Adapted from Ravikiran Arakkal’s 2008)
Just a tongue in cheek stab at writing poetry! Have a happy new year everyone! Our online newsletter format has been changed. To facilitate your easy reading, we have moved much of the information to our blog! Check it out!
www.
Happy new year everyone!
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.
NEWS
Feature
A Blog Entry Written by Rachael Au-Yong of TAS Youth Voices
The A Cappella Society’s Youth Voices Christmas Carolling 2007
From Boon Lay to Pasir Ris, TAS Youth Voices have indeed travelled to the ends of Singapore in the name of good ol’ a cappella singing. Since late October, the Youth Voices have been practising hard – the 31-strong group consisted of TAS YV alumni, students without any choral experience whatsoever, and a whole bunch of youths all ready to make music with JUST their voices! It hasn’t been easy. Yes, there have been cringe-worthy rehearsals. But while TAS Youth Voices strives for the best, the philosophy driving this team has always been one of progression. And hopefully, it has paid off in our performances. From dealing with an inadequate number of microphones to sound systems we weren’t used to, and even on-stage ‘drama’ (such as excited kids at Downtown East jumping onto the stage only to steal your thunder by snatching a mic and belting an earth-shattering scream in the middle of your song), we have learnt one thing: that we are not just singers, we are performers – and performers deal with it. It’s not something that can be scripted, or prepared for – but that’s why teamwork (and preferably some element of instinctive talent) is so important. If someone goes out of key, everyone (tries to) adjust. Because at the end of the day, no one cares if the tenor or the soprano sang brilliantly if Last Christmas sounded rather strange. Performing with The A Cappella Society’s Youth Voices has been a whirlwind – especially when you are a girl, you have to bring just about everything: make-up, shoes, clothes, accessories. Stories of fellow stressed-out singers who arrive breathless at Downtown East after finishing a show at Singapore Discovery Centre may even scare potential singers. But I do think it’s been a rather worthwhile journey. There will be no clichéd aphorisms about how friendship is the greatest treasure you can find in the 21st century – but you can find your own ‘lesson of the day’ just by being a part of the TAS Youth Voices. Have a wonderful 2008!
TRAINING
Courses
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 a cappella 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 in close harmony, iii) dynamic microphone technique, iv) an introduction to vocal percussion, and iv) basic staging and song presentation. You will also be guided through the rehearsal of 3-4 songs from a variety of 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 the course for you! If you'd like more details, please email contact@a-cappella.org.sg.
Cost: $250 for 12-week course, please register at www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html
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 above
TAS 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 beat boxer, 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 you would 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!
Miscellaneous
Rehearsal Space
Haven’t found a space for your rehearsals yet? For $10/hour you can make 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 Java Five (Germany) The Art of Vocal Swing 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 your services or provide feedback, 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
www.a-cappella.org.sg
contact@a-cappella.org.sg
182 Cecil Street
#02-07 Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre
S 069547
http://the-acappella-society.blogspot.com
What shall you deliver? A few assassinations? A few typhoons? Will there be a Tsunami? A few fresh presidents? Anything unprecedented?
How many million death? How many million births? How many weddings? How many divorces? How many crimes? How many jailbirds? How many fresh loves?
Will you make the worldHappy or sad- or bah- fine
(the nasty adjective)? Or will you make it merrier? Or will you make a world war?
How will you be? How has the boss of yours, Mr. God written your horoscope?
How many A Cappella events
Will you attend?
How many poems will you write?
(Poem Adapted from Ravikiran Arakkal’s 2008)
Just a tongue in cheek stab at writing poetry! Have a happy new year everyone! Our online newsletter format has been changed. To facilitate your easy reading, we have moved much of the information to our blog! Check it out!
www.
Happy new year everyone!
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.
NEWS
Feature
A Blog Entry Written by Rachael Au-Yong of TAS Youth Voices
The A Cappella Society’s Youth Voices Christmas Carolling 2007
From Boon Lay to Pasir Ris, TAS Youth Voices have indeed travelled to the ends of Singapore in the name of good ol’ a cappella singing. Since late October, the Youth Voices have been practising hard – the 31-strong group consisted of TAS YV alumni, students without any choral experience whatsoever, and a whole bunch of youths all ready to make music with JUST their voices! It hasn’t been easy. Yes, there have been cringe-worthy rehearsals. But while TAS Youth Voices strives for the best, the philosophy driving this team has always been one of progression. And hopefully, it has paid off in our performances. From dealing with an inadequate number of microphones to sound systems we weren’t used to, and even on-stage ‘drama’ (such as excited kids at Downtown East jumping onto the stage only to steal your thunder by snatching a mic and belting an earth-shattering scream in the middle of your song), we have learnt one thing: that we are not just singers, we are performers – and performers deal with it. It’s not something that can be scripted, or prepared for – but that’s why teamwork (and preferably some element of instinctive talent) is so important. If someone goes out of key, everyone (tries to) adjust. Because at the end of the day, no one cares if the tenor or the soprano sang brilliantly if Last Christmas sounded rather strange. Performing with The A Cappella Society’s Youth Voices has been a whirlwind – especially when you are a girl, you have to bring just about everything: make-up, shoes, clothes, accessories. Stories of fellow stressed-out singers who arrive breathless at Downtown East after finishing a show at Singapore Discovery Centre may even scare potential singers. But I do think it’s been a rather worthwhile journey. There will be no clichéd aphorisms about how friendship is the greatest treasure you can find in the 21st century – but you can find your own ‘lesson of the day’ just by being a part of the TAS Youth Voices. Have a wonderful 2008!
TRAINING
Courses
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 a cappella 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 in close harmony, iii) dynamic microphone technique, iv) an introduction to vocal percussion, and iv) basic staging and song presentation. You will also be guided through the rehearsal of 3-4 songs from a variety of 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 the course for you! If you'd like more details, please email contact@a-cappella.org.sg.
Cost: $250 for 12-week course, please register at www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html
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 above
TAS 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 beat boxer, 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 you would 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!
Miscellaneous
Rehearsal Space
Haven’t found a space for your rehearsals yet? For $10/hour you can make 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 Java Five (Germany) The Art of Vocal Swing 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 your services or provide feedback, 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
www.a-cappella.org.sg
contact@a-cappella.org.sg
182 Cecil Street
#02-07 Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre
S 069547
http://the-acappella-society.blogspot.com
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