We finally got our own YouTube Channel! I know, it took a very long time, but anyways, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheACappellaSociety
You will find a lot of great A Cappella clips, from our events, our groups and more. Check back often to catch the latest uploads!
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Monday, 17 August 2009
A Cappella Championships 09 Review
The A Cappella Championships 09 were held on 31 July at The Arts House Chamber and 1 & 2 August at Esplanade Recital Studio. Due to the large number of registrations, in total 32 groups signed up, the competition was held over 2 rounds for the first time. The first day at The Arts House saw the competition within the categories of High School, College and Open Ensembles. As the event proceeded into the evening hours, we recorded a full house which saw fine performances throughout from all the groups. The prevalent opinion from the international judges and audience members was that the standard of A Cappella groups in Singapore has increased drastically and is very high as witnessed in the competition.
On 1 August was the Choir Final at Esplanade Recital Studio. We again saw a wide range in the age of participating choirs and still a rather low number of participants as most choirs are reluctant to include contemporary music in their repertoire. However, there is a growing interest and response and we'll continue to reach out to the choirs and hope to get more choirs to take part and fill the various categories for a more contested competition over the next years.
On 2 August was the Ensemble Final at Esplanade Recital Studio, where the best 9 groups from the 1st round competed for the overall A Cappella Champion. The evening was again a sold out success with great performances by all groups and an enthusiastic audience cheering for all participants led by the 09 Champions, SHaca.
The A Cappella Championships 09, a SHINE Festival event supported by the National Youth Council and the National Arts Council, was a great success. There was a surge in the number of participants and also an increase in the audience figure which attests to the healthy state of A Cappella in Singapore. Furthermore, the quality of singing was hailed as very high in general which strengthens our hope that the past work is bearing fruit and can be sustained in the future.
On 1 August was the Choir Final at Esplanade Recital Studio. We again saw a wide range in the age of participating choirs and still a rather low number of participants as most choirs are reluctant to include contemporary music in their repertoire. However, there is a growing interest and response and we'll continue to reach out to the choirs and hope to get more choirs to take part and fill the various categories for a more contested competition over the next years.
On 2 August was the Ensemble Final at Esplanade Recital Studio, where the best 9 groups from the 1st round competed for the overall A Cappella Champion. The evening was again a sold out success with great performances by all groups and an enthusiastic audience cheering for all participants led by the 09 Champions, SHaca.
The A Cappella Championships 09, a SHINE Festival event supported by the National Youth Council and the National Arts Council, was a great success. There was a surge in the number of participants and also an increase in the audience figure which attests to the healthy state of A Cappella in Singapore. Furthermore, the quality of singing was hailed as very high in general which strengthens our hope that the past work is bearing fruit and can be sustained in the future.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
CAMP A CAPPELLA REPORT
(1) Programme
The programme was initially planned for 2 tracks of workshops for the beginners and for the slightly more experienced singers.
Due to a smaller turn out this year, we had to scale the workshops to fit the wide age group and experience of the singers. We had singers from age 10 to 20.
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.
(2) Clinicians
We engaged local clinicians for Camp 09. They bring a good wealth of experience in a cappella performance but because our campers are beginning to attend our camps annual, we need to source for external trainers with international staging and directing experience. This will prove to add to the continued attractiveness of the camp for the more experienced singers. We should also consider 2 separate camps for the experienced and inexperienced.
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.
(3) Tickets Sales
This year we had about 80 singers who attended the camp. We should work on bringing this number back up to at least 120 – 150 per camp.
We will also look into bringing the camp directly to schools for a greater reach.
(4) Production
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.
(5) Summary
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 enfore positive reinforcement to all singers and trainers.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
THE YALE ALLEY CATS REPORT
(1) Programme
The A Cappella Society organised a host of activities for the group and this included a cross section of audience.
• 93.8FM Radio Interview
• Prime Time Morning Appearance and interview & performance
• Tan Tock Seng Lunchtime Concert
• Esplanade Concourse Performances (2 sets)
• 1-Night Concert at the Arts House
The estimated exposure rate for all the activities is approximated at 1,200 audience members and thousands of Radio / TV viewers. The society was also acknowledged at all of these shows.
(2) Concert
The concert was a sold-out success. The programme was neo-classical in nature and highly engaging and entertaining. Feedback from vocal sources said that whilst the concert was very enjoyable, the singing was good but was not comparable to teams from Harvard and other outstanding college groups. The overall feedback nonetheless was very positive overall for the concert.
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.
(3) Tickets Sales
The concert was sold out and we hope to continue supporting such groups on their visits to Singapore.
(4) Production
The group was well rehearsed and was always mentally and physically ready for their next show. This showed a good level of professionalism from a college team, something that our local groups can emulate.
(5) Summary
All in all, the concert was a tremendous success. The audience at the concert was mainly made up of Yale Alumni members and some general public and from American & singing community. We are happy that we organised a show at Tan Tock Seng and The Esplanade which allowed the team to sing to the younger crowd (school holidays) as well as the older crowd.
The A Cappella Society organised a host of activities for the group and this included a cross section of audience.
• 93.8FM Radio Interview
• Prime Time Morning Appearance and interview & performance
• Tan Tock Seng Lunchtime Concert
• Esplanade Concourse Performances (2 sets)
• 1-Night Concert at the Arts House
The estimated exposure rate for all the activities is approximated at 1,200 audience members and thousands of Radio / TV viewers. The society was also acknowledged at all of these shows.
(2) Concert
The concert was a sold-out success. The programme was neo-classical in nature and highly engaging and entertaining. Feedback from vocal sources said that whilst the concert was very enjoyable, the singing was good but was not comparable to teams from Harvard and other outstanding college groups. The overall feedback nonetheless was very positive overall for the concert.
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.
(3) Tickets Sales
The concert was sold out and we hope to continue supporting such groups on their visits to Singapore.
(4) Production
The group was well rehearsed and was always mentally and physically ready for their next show. This showed a good level of professionalism from a college team, something that our local groups can emulate.
(5) Summary
All in all, the concert was a tremendous success. The audience at the concert was mainly made up of Yale Alumni members and some general public and from American & singing community. We are happy that we organised a show at Tan Tock Seng and The Esplanade which allowed the team to sing to the younger crowd (school holidays) as well as the older crowd.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Youth Voices - 16 May 2009, Esplanade Recital Studio
Youth Voices was our very successful first attempt at staging The A Cappella Society's youth singers in a full-length concert. It featured the TAS Children's Pop & Jazz choir and TAS Youth Voices in various formations and group sizes, from Pop choir to A Cappella group, produced and staged by the groups' Director Angelina Choo and was already sold out before show day. It was generally acclaimed as an entertaining and vibrant performance. The audience, mainly friends and family of the singers but also a large number from the general public due to Keppel Nights tickets available with a 50% subsidy, gave very positive feedback having enjoyed the concert very much.
The concert featured a good selection of a cappella music ranging from pop, jazz, rhythm & blues to original a cappella pieces. It also charmed audiences with an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary pieces, choir and group songs.
Youth Voices has shown that there is a growing interest not only in youth productions but also in a cappella music in general and that such shows can be staged successfully. It has also set the standard for a cappella singing and performance for youths.
There were some issues encountered in the process of the production though, most notably concerning sound. The amplification and mixing of the various groups and sizes poses a challenge that has to be addressed and improved. We will do so in the coming year as we intend to establish Youth Voices as a yearly showcase concert for the youth singers after this successful beginning.
The concert featured a good selection of a cappella music ranging from pop, jazz, rhythm & blues to original a cappella pieces. It also charmed audiences with an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary pieces, choir and group songs.
Youth Voices has shown that there is a growing interest not only in youth productions but also in a cappella music in general and that such shows can be staged successfully. It has also set the standard for a cappella singing and performance for youths.
There were some issues encountered in the process of the production though, most notably concerning sound. The amplification and mixing of the various groups and sizes poses a challenge that has to be addressed and improved. We will do so in the coming year as we intend to establish Youth Voices as a yearly showcase concert for the youth singers after this successful beginning.
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