At TAS, it's busy as usual. July is the month for gearing up for the next round of annual a cappella events, namely the A Cappella Championships to be held from the 31st of July thru 2nd August and the International A Cappella Festival to be held from the 14th to 18th of October.
With these 2 large events, we bring to you as well, a host of wonderful workshops by professionals from around the globe. We hope to encourage more local singing teams and singers to seek further training to continually develop yourselves and equip yourselves with more information to be an even better performer or arranger.
Lastly, we are searching for teams to perform in a fund-raising project which will potentially be considered for the Singapore Book of Records as the longest singing marathon. If you have a team (a cappella or not) and would like to be considered for such a project, please send us your bio at contact@a-cappella.org.sg
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer / July!
* These updates are correct to our best knowledge. Should there be any errors, kindly note that they are non-intentional.
(1) WHAT’S NEW
Don't miss your chance to be a part of the biggest A Cappella competition ever held in Singapore! A total of 31 groups have 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. More information 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 served basis, so do come early and support your favourite a cappella teams!
International A Cappella Festival
This year's much awaited festival concert tickets are on sale now through the society. get your tickets today! The limited number of Keppel Nights tickets with 50% subsidy, available for the SJ Tone concert on 17 October, are almost sold out already, so hurry to The Arts House Box Office to get one of the remaining tickets. For all the ticketing details, please log on to our website www.a-cappella.org.sg.
The 5-day line up will showcase, Permanent Fish , a hip and extremely stylish group from Japan who perform contemporary hits and also J pop hits. Other teams include Rock 4 of the netherlands who will present music from Queen, Police & Sting and rock songs from the past decade as well as Korean tea, SJTone and well-loved Filipino team, Tux.
From our Blog
The Yale Alley Cats Report
The concert was a sold-out success. The programme was neo-classical in nature and highly engaging and entertaining. The overall feedback was very positive. The repertoire of pop, classic hits and Jazz tunes done in older and more current a cappella arrangement styles and coupled with the collegiate touch of an expanded barbershop group (sound) was well received.
Camp A Cappella Report
On the first day we spent time working on simpler a cappella tunes to allow the younger singers a chance to work in teams outside of their own choirs. On the second day we worked on more sophisticated skills and songs plus a cappella arranging which allowed the more experienced singers a chance to flex their musical skills.
We engaged local clinicians for Camp 09.We worked with recently graduated David Thian who directed several groups at Duke University. We also worked with Angelina Choo, the Director of TAS and Ms Lim Huimin, resident singer of NANU.
We utilised the theatre at Tampines Safra and this space was excellent with a stage and theatre style seats. It was a little dim at times but was still a great venue. We did not touch on extensively progressive workshops which meant that we did not need too much technical support.
We will aim to change the way the camp is offered and also aim to work with international groups and clinicians to challenge our singers and fellow local clinicians. We hope to continually ensure positive reinforcement to all singers and trainers.
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 the home grown contemporary a cappella group has 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 10 & 11 July 2009!
In celebration of their 7th anniversary, Agapella presents their biggest concert yet, Seven @ 8. The group will 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 own 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 the members of Singapore's coolest vocal band!
NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre
Tickets at * $7 (excluding ticketing fee), on sale now at SISTIC
A CAPPELLA CHAMPIONSHIPS 09
The Aca Champs, as it is endearingly known as, is a programme that aims to provide positive reinforcement for all participating groups through positive feedback, encouragement and non-political support for all groups.
It also serves as an annual testing ground for local and new pop / jazz a cappella groups to compete against one another in a friendly environment, winning prizes that would enable them to reach more performance platforms and opportunities through the society.
It has over the last 7 years become THE annual a cappella competition which singers look forward to attending and competing in, allowing them to watch and learn from other teams and for them to access for themselves, the development of standards across the categories each year.
This event is part of SHINE youth festival supported by the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
For more information on the schedule and tickets, please log on to www.a-cappella.org.sg
This year's International A Cappella Festival will play host to a myriad of visiting teams to sunny Singapore where they will meet, mingle and work with local singers as well as present their music at the festival concerts. From Rock 4's songs from Police & Sing & Queen to SJ Tone's whacky Korean arrangements and sleek pop & jazz tunes, we promise you a festival that will enthrall, delight and inspire. Look out for more details!
| Date | Venue | Group |
| 14th October | Esplanade Recital Studio | Permanent Fish (Japan) |
| 15th October | Esplanade Recital Studio | Rock 4 (Holland) Songs from Queen |
| 16th October | Esplanade Recital Studio | Rock 4 (Holland) Songs from Sting & Police |
| 17th October | Arts House, Chamber | SJ Tone (Korea) |
| 18th October | Arts House, Chamber | Tux (Philippines) |
Ring in the Christmas season with this fun and interactive programme from The A Cappella Society. In two shows, one for children, one for youth and young-at-heart, your favourite local A Cappella groups will bring the season's music closer to you. Expect to hear all your favourite carols and tunes in an intimate and informal setting. But be prepared to be active yourself and to sing along!
Join NANU for an evening of feel good a cappella renditions of Christmas music! In a concert like no other a cappella concerts, this showcase will include brand new arrangements from the NANU repertoire and will have the team explore jazz scatting and jazz harmonies apart from their regular staple of pop hits. Expect to be entertained and also expect to sing along and or come up on stage to present a solo or scat sing or beat box along with the team!
Follow the development of the creative process for this concert at www.a-cappella.org.sg
21 November 09
3pm Children's matinee
7.30pm Evening show
Esplanade Recital Studio
(3) TRAINING PROGRAMMES
CAMP A CAPPELLA CHAMPS EDITION
Here’s your opportunity to learn from the professionals! Our Camp A Cappella series offers you workshops with top international singers and trainers, covering all the various elements of a cappella singing. All the sessions are suitable for everyone, beginners and pros alike, whether you want to gain some insight into the ways of singing, get individual tips and tricks from the pros or expose your group to different styles. A variety of 4 workshops will be available for beginner singers as well as experienced singers on the 1st & 2nd of August. The time slots are 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm on both days. Tickets are at $25. Please check for details at www.a-cappella.org.sg
POP VOCALS COURSE
Learn the fundamentals of singing in the style of Beyonce, Rihanna and other pop divas in this course! Singapore's soul sensation, Lim Huimin takes you on a musical exploration of the basics in pop singing, including securing breath control, posture, voice projection and singing through songs.
The next course starts 30 July. www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html
NEW! PERFORMANCE TRAINING (TUE) 7pm – 9pm
Have you ever wished that you could get help with your on stage delivery? How do you create a strong delivery of your solo? How do you create appeal for your performance? What is reading an audience all about?
An important element of vocal performance, this course will guide you thoroughly on the fundamentals of on and off stage preparation.
This course is conducted by Ms Alethea-May Fernandez, singer, performer, voice over-artiste, actress extraordinaire who is both gifted and experienced in the art of singing and performance. Her current portfolio includes performing regularly at Jazz On South Bridge, private functions in and out of Singapore and appearing on locally produced musicals like Beauty World and Ice Queen amongst a host of other noteworthy accomplishments.
Register for the courses on our website! www.a-cappella.org.sg/training.html
Finally a choir where children can explore folk, pop and jazz music intrinsically through play, performance and theory.
Open to singers aged 8 to 13, this choir seeks to develop young singers with a good foundation in vocal technique, performance etiquette, musical development and artistic discipline.
The choir will be directed by Angelina Choo-Sassarak, Artistic Director of The A Cappella Society. Rehearsals are on every Saturday from 1pm - 3pm. Please email for an appointment or audition: contact@a-cappella.org.sg
THE A CAPPELLA SOCIETY YOUTH VOICES AND ADULT TEAM
Want to learn the techniques of harmonising? Or simply want to immerse yourself in singing in a group? Here's your chance now! Auditions are now open for the youth voices (aged 13- 20) [practices are every Saturday 3pm-6pm.] and the adult team (aged 21 and above) [practices are every Monday 7.30pm]. Interested parties please contact us at contact@a-cappella.org.sg
(5) ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMME 2009/10
For the next two years we can offer your school two programmes that are NAC approved and eligible for Tote Board subsidy:
ROCK POP A CAPPELLA WITH NANU
The program presents A Cappella singing through an interactive session and demonstrates different styles and how a song is put together. It is a hands-on approach to exploring a cappella singing and vocal percussing. Hosted by a team from The A Cappella Society singing as an a cappella vocal band made up of professional singers, musicians and teachers, the session will introduce 3 tips in singing and share Vocal Percussion tips. Volunteer participation will be encouraged throughout the show and as a result the students will enjoy a highly interactive and very enjoyable and exciting presentation.
This light-hearted and highly interactive a cappella jam session will include tips on vocal technique and will encourage the general mass audience to take part in simple and repetitive musical stanzas that are built up into songs. This will be presented with the use of theater stage skills which will help in creating a better atmosphere for the audience to be willing to try their hand at making some music! The simple structure will give the students inspiration to make more of their own tunes come alive with imagination and creativity. Led by two veteran a cappella singers and performers, this session promises to be entertaining, inspiring and intriguing.
More details on our website www.a-cappella.org.sg
(6) GROUPS
TAS GROUPS
nanu - Singapore's only all-female A Cappella group
TAS Voices - a diverse contemporary A Cappella group
Acappuccino - a group with a wide repertoire ranging from Pop to Jazz
TAS Youth Voices - Singapore's leading youth A Cappella ensemble
If you are interested in engaging any of the groups for your event, simply send us an email at contact@a-cappella.org.sg
(7) MISCELLANEOUS
| No | Artistes | Album Title | Cost |
| 1 | Vocal Six (Sweden) | International (2007) | S$25 |
| 2 | Yale Alley Cats | Ghost of a Chance (2009) | S$25 |
| 3 | Key Elements (Singapore) | Jazz For The Record | S$20 |
| 4 | Agapella (Singapore) | Follow That Star (2007) | S$20 |
| 5 | Various (Singapore) | Mandarin A Cappella (2001) | S$10 |
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
182 Cecil Street
#02-07 Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre
Singapore 069547
200721181D
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