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Walton Arts Center is pleased to announce the eight a cappella groups that will be competing in the 2019 VoiceJam Competition on Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.
During the past several months, groups from around the country submitted audition videos for a chance to compete on the last night of the VoiceJam A Cappella Festival. The selected finalists include high school, collegiate and community a cappella groups from around the United States.
THE 2019 COMPETITORS
The Beartones – Missouri State University, Springfield
Natural State of Mind – Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, Ark.
KeyHarmony – University of Central Florida, Orlando
Green Tones – University of North Texas, Denton
Lark – University of Colorado, Denver
Top Shelf Vocal – Los Angeles, California
Euphoria – Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich.
Business Casual – San Mateo, California
“We are really pleased to have received more auditions than ever this year. Every group is so talented that it made picking the top eight pretty challenging,” said Sara Broome, artistic director for VoiceJam. “In selecting the finalists to compete at VoiceJam, we are looking for vocal precision, intonation and overall group unity. We have a strong group of competitors this year who are going to put on an entertaining show.”
The VoiceJam Competition will be hosted by Deke Sharon – dubbed by Entertainment Weekly as "the father of contemporary a cappella." The group that earns the title VoiceJam Grand Champion will have the opportunity to attend the Vocal Asia Festival in Japan this summer.
In addition to the competition, the VoiceJam A Cappella Festival includes a headliner concert featuring The Edge Effect, winners of MTV’s “Top Pop Group” and Boyz II Men’s “Next A Cappella Group”; a full-day of workshops for anyone interested in learning more about a cappella. Tickets to all events can be purchased in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office, online at waltonartscenter.org or by calling 479.443.5600.
VOICEJAM FESTIVAL
Friday-Saturday, April 4-6, 2018
VoiceJam Kickoff Concert
A FREE concert with Hong Kong group, Boonfaysau, and the VoiceJam Varsity Singers
Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m.
Headliner Concert
Featuring internationally renowned act The Edge Effect
Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $10, plus applicable fees.
VoiceJam Workshops
Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
Registration details coming soon.
Led by guest judges, each one-hour workshop is open to the public and will focus on the art form and industry of contemporary a cappella.
VoiceJam Competition
Hosted by Deke Sharon
Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $19, plus applicable fees.
VOICEJAM GUEST BIOS
Deke Sharon – Heralded as “The Father of Contemporary A Cappella,” Deke Sharon is responsible for the current sound of modern a cappella, having created the dense vocal-instrumental sound in college, subsequently spreading it around the world. Deke produces NBC’s “The Sing-Off” worldwide (USA, Netherlands, China, South Africa), which had the highest ratings of any new, unscripted television show in the U.S. in 2009, and was the third highest rated show on NBC in 2010. In addition, Deke served as arranger, onsite music director and vocal producer for Universal Picture’s "Pitch Perfect" and “Pitch Perfect 2” starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson. Deke has shared the stage with countless music legends including Ray Charles, James Brown, Crosby Stills and Nash, Run DMC, The Temptations, LL Cool J and the Four Tops, and has performed for luminaries including former President Bill Clinton. He is the founder, director and arranger for The House Jacks, who have eight albums and dozens of international tours, including multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall and a performance at the Monday Night Football Theme with Hank Williams Jr. in 2011.
The Edge Effect – The Edge Effect is a group of a cappella all-stars taking music to a whole new level. A five-man vocal band, The Edge Effect combines pop, R&B, jazz, rock and funk blurring the genre line and weaving a colorful tapestry of infectious beats, intricate harmonies and spectacular vocal acrobatics. Having shared the stage with such superstars as Prince, Tony Bennett, the Pussycat Dolls, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Jay Leno to name a few, the members of The Edge Effect have mesmerized audiences throughout the United States and around the globe.
To learn more about VoiceJam Festival, visit waltonartscenter.org.
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