Meet Three of the Aca-Awesome Teams Competing at VoiceJam Part II

The annual VoiceJam A Cappella Competition on April 5 brings the best a cappella groups from across the country to compete at Walton Arts Center.  We asked each of the six competitors a few questions to learn more about them! Get to know three of these competitors: Final Measure, Decibelles and Remedy. 

Missed the first installment of this blog? Check it out here! 

Tickets to The Edge Effect concert and the VoiceJam Competition are on sale now. Purchase a combo ticket for just $29 and you can see both shows. Tickets are available online at waltonartscenter.org, by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am–2 pm or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm.  

Final Measure – University of Houston 

What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire? 

We like to sing primarily pop music! Our group sound is very bright and energetic, so it fits us pretty well. Right now, our repertoire consists of some electronic, some pop and indie songs.  

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?   

Most of our music is notated. This year we’ve done a lot of custom arrangements as well as pieces from an array of different arrangers.  

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?   

Final Measure was originally named something else actually! But after our first in-person year, we decided to change it up and we took suggestions from all of our current members. This name was born out of the combination of a couple different options, and it stuck!  

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?   

On all our trips, we usually love to watch Pitch Perfect as our sort of good luck charm! We also have a pre-show ritual that consists of vocal and breath warmup, as well as an energizing chant we do while dancing around. It helps all of us to get hyped to be on stage and connect with each other before we perform!  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?   

Some artists that our members love to listen to right now are Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyonce and Bruno Mars.  

What does your group like to do in their free time?   

Since the group is composed of a lot of different majors, we all have a variety of hobbies like crochet, playing instruments, reading and baking! After rehearsal though, we enjoy going out to eat, cooking together or playing games like Minecraft.   

Decibelles – Southside High School 

What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?  

We enjoy singing music from multiple genres, but the main style of music that inspired our group to start was barbershop! We really enjoy working through tight harmonies and our first song was a barbershop arrangement of "Dream a Little Dream of Me."  We've been dipping more into the vocal jazz pool a lot lately as well! 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?  

 Our group works with precisely noted music. Our group formed around choir - that’s how we all met. We’ve bonded and grown closer together over our love of choir and shared songs that have personally touched us. We hope to share this love and passion with others.  

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?  

Our name is a fun play on words! We took the word decibel, which is a way of measuring sound, and replaced the “bel” with belles! It’s super fun and girly, just like the music we like to sing! People often pronounce it as Decibel is pronounced, but our name is actually pronounced dec-ee-bell! 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?  

Before performances, we like traditional choir room warm-ups like warming up our body first by doing exercises like shoulder rolls, tongue stretches, rolling our head gently, etc. Then sometimes we throw on a good 10-minute Jacob’s Vocal Academy (or sometimes a Cheryl Porter) warm-up from YouTube. We are choir kids at heart!  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?  

Personally, I have currently been listening to a lot of Laufey, Faye Webster, Daniel Caesar, Omar Apollo, Chet Baker and a lot of classic vocal jazz albums and bossa nova. I find it helpful to consume old and new interpretations of jazz, preparing my voice and mind to bring color to every song we perform. 

What does your group like to do in your free time?  

A lot of us are involved in extracurriculars like class council, student council, theater, choir and more. We love doing Bible studies, going out to get coffee and just being with each other and creating more of a family feeling.  

Remedy – Argyle High School 

What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?  

We like to sing pop songs! But we will pretty much sing anything. We love to sing together every day and learn new harmonies.  

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?  

Our group primarily sticks with notated music, and we learn our music by listening to tracks and reading sheet music. Members of the group are also given the liberty to improvise on certain parts - our bass is known to add extra notes or sound effects.  

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?  

The name Remedy was inspired by the song “Remedy” by Adele. We believe that music can be someone's remedy.   

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?  

Before every performance as a group, we pray. It’s a good way to calm the nerves and give thanks to the Lord before we go perform.  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?  

My top artist is currently Ben Platt. In order after that is punk/rock songs from the Killers, blink-182, Weezer and Nirvana.   

What does your group like to do in your free time?  

We like to eat together at Braum's after performances and play volleyball or go to the mall as a group!  

VoiceJam Festival Schedule   

VoiceJam Kickoff Concert – The Edge Effect 

Friday, April 4 | 7:30 pm   

All tickets are $10   

VoiceJam Workshops   

Saturday, April 5 | 9 am – 5 pm   

VoiceJam Competition   

Saturday, April 5 | 7:30 pm   

Tickets are $27 

One Day Choir 

Sunday, April 6 | 10 am – noon  

Free! Click here to sign up 

The Edge Effect Pushes A Cappella to the Limits

As the headlining concert for this season’s VoiceJam A Cappella Festival, The Edge Effect strives to prove that singers do not need autotune and computers to put on a great show for all ages. Their music is as diverse as they are, offering a wide array of styles and showcasing influences that span decades. The group is taking a cappella to the next level, even causing Harry Connick Jr. to say, “Are you trying to put me out of business? That was really, really, really great!” 

Ahead of their Friday, April 4 performance, we asked members of The Edge Effect to answer a few questions to get more insight into this talented group.  

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How did The Edge Effect come to be? 

The Edge Effect was born out of a love for vocal music and years of relationships. We all wanted to create something we could be proud of and that we could grow into something special. Sean, John and Troy were founders of the Las Vegas-based group Mosaic. When they decided to leave the desert, they reached out to Danny who was singing with 42Five (now Voiceplay). Danny knew Karl from the Voices of Liberty at EPCOT center and the group was born. 

The five of you have spent a lot of time together over your years of performing. If you were to give each member a title, what would it be?

Troy would be the “mad scientist,” Danny would be “Mr. Practical,” Karl would be “payday Karl,” Sean would be “the idea machine” and John would be “Mr. Chill.” 

Pick 5 words—that start with the letter ‘E’—that best describe your work. 

Energetic, enthusiastic, entertaining, eclectic, engaging. 

What is the best advice that you have been given; and what advice would you give to aspiring vocalists in the audience?

Be prepared for the opportunity. There is no such thing as luck. It’s cliche, but luck is when opportunity meets preparedness. Our advice to aspiring vocalists is to put in the time. Practice, practice, practice. Learn your craft. Study your idols and put the time in. The time on stage or in the recording booth should be the culmination of all the time you’ve put in behind the scenes. There is no substitution for time and experience.  

Whom do you define as visionary; and why? 

We all have different influences, but we can all agree on Stevie Wonder as being probably the biggest musical influence on all of us (followed closely by Prince). His fusion of R&B, funk, soul, pop, gospel and genre bending style allowed him to create a sound all his own that has influenced generations of musicians. He was so ahead of his time with his use of synthesizers, jazz progressions. Harmonic voicing, and overall song structure. You can listen to his albums from 1973-1978 and they still sound fresh today. 

What is the most rewarding thing about being a part of The Edge Effect?  

Getting to do what we love for a living with friends who have become family.  

What are some unique or memorable experiences you’ve had while traveling around the world to share your music?

We have been blessed to see the world through music. We have been to Barcelona, Sicily, Lisbon, Malta, Chile, Alaska, Colombia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, Belize and more. That never would have happened without a cappella! We have sung in cathedrals, theaters, caverns, on beaches, in mountains, near glaciers. It’s been an amazing journey and we can’t wait to see where else music will take us. 

What message do you hope to send the world via your music? 

That we are really all the same. We travel everywhere and the one thing that brings us all together is music. Music is a great unifier, and everyone LOVES harmony! 

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Tickets to The Edge Effect concert are on sale now for only $10! Tickets are available online at waltonartscenter.org, by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am–2 pm or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm.  To learn more about VoiceJam Festival visit waltonartscenter.org/voicejam.  

VoiceJam  Festival  Schedule   

VoiceJam Kickoff Concert – The Edge Effect 

Friday, April 4 | 7:30 pm   

All tickets are $10   

VoiceJam Workshops   

Saturday, April 5 | 9 am – 5 pm   

VoiceJam Competition   

Saturday, April 5 | 7:30 pm   

Tickets are $27 

One Day Choir 

Sunday, April 6 | 10 am – noon  

Free! Click here to sign up

Meet Three of the Aca-Awesome Teams Competing at VoiceJam

The annual VoiceJam A Cappella Competition on April 5 brings the best a cappella groups from across the country to compete at Walton Arts Center.  We asked each of the six competing groups a few questions to learn more about them. Get to know three of these competitors: VOICES, Green Tones and Volt!  

Keep an eye out for part two with responses from the remaining three competitors.  

Tickets to The Edge Effect concert and the VoiceJam Competition are on sale now. Want to see both shows? Then purchase a combo ticket for just $29. Tickets are available online at waltonartscenter.org, by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am–2 pm or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm.  

VOICES – University of Arkansas 

What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?   

We love singing jazz and a cappella music! This semester we are working on many things including a few classic arrangements for “Smile,” “The Days of Wine and Roses,” “This Will Be” and “That’s All,” plus a few original works like “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre, “Never Let Go” by Rob Dietz and “So Much 2 Say” by Take 6.  

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?   

We do both! Most of the music is learned with notated scores, however, we mix improvision within many of those scores and have opened many of our performances with an improvisational piece.  

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?   

We took inspiration from the famed New York Voices.   

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?   

We love to circle up and do a little improv before a show!  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?   

Our top five artists are Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Fleetwood Mac and Emily King.  

What does your group like to do in their free time?   

We like to hike and bowl! 

Green Tones – University of North Texas 

What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?  

We enjoy singing contemporary pop music, but we also try not to let a song’s specific genre limit our choices. When we hear a song, we just know! 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?  

We get our grounds on sheet music and then we make it our own to fit our sound.  

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?  

Green Tones started at University of North Texas, and recently had a 15-year celebration!  

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?  

Before we hit the stage, we all get in a circle and try to make each other laugh to shake off any pre-show nerves.  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?  

Currently I’m listening to Magdalena Bay which has been a popular one in our group! Other than that, some of my personal favorites have been Kate Bush, SOPHIE and the Hereditary soundtrack. 

What does your group like to do in your free time?  

Our group loves to sing karaoke, do fun photoshoots and thrift together! Doing anything and everything together is super fun.  

VoLT – University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?   

Volt specializes in alternative-pop, bringing a fresh twist to songs that aren’t quite mainstream but still feel familiar and catchy. Our past sets have featured artists like Aurora, BANKS and Lizzy McAlpine, capturing an ethereal, moody vibe that creates our unique sound. 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?   

We work with precisely notated music. Our songs are arranged by both professionals and by our members. We follow the notated music exactly in our performances!  

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?   

Our group name was created 10 years ago by our founder! “Volt” was chosen as a tribute to Tennessee’s mascot, the volunteers, which we call the “vols” for short. It also captures the energy and electricity we bring to our music. Like a bolt of lightning, Volt symbolizes power, connection and the electric chemistry that fuels our performances and friendships.  

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?   

Our pre-performance warm-ups include our regular rehearsal warmups (including our group’s warm-up “Sweetly the Swan Sings”), a shakedown counting down from eight to one and our secret Volt handshake!

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?   

We listen to a wide variety of music, but if we had to pick our favorites at the moment they would be “Anxiety” by Doechii, anything Hozier or Chappell Roan, “Tattoo” by Loren and the entire Wicked Soundtrack!  

What does your group like to do in your free time?    

Our favorite moments as a group come from the special memories we make outside of rehearsal. Whether it's group dinners at Chipotle, board game nights or weekend hangouts, we love spending time together. We look forward to our annual retreats and holiday traditions, from Halloween rehearsal costume contests to our very own friendsgiving we call “Voltsgiving.” Our bond truly goes beyond just music—it's what makes our group feel like family. 

VoiceJam  Festival  Schedule   

VoiceJam Kickoff Concert – The Edge Effect 

Friday, April 4 | 7:30 pm   

All tickets are $10   

VoiceJam Workshops   

Saturday, April 5 | 9 am – 5 pm   

VoiceJam Competition   

Saturday, April 5 | 7:30 pm   

Tickets are $27 

One Day Choir 

Sunday, April 6 | 10 am – noon  

Free! Click here to sign up 

Meet Four of the ACA-Awesome Teams Competing at VoiceJam

The annual VoiceJam A Cappella Competition on April 13 brings the best a cappella groups from across the country to compete at Walton Arts Center.  We asked each of the eight competitors a few questions to learn more them! Get to know four of these competitors: The Amateurs, Green Tones, Vocal Point and Final Measure! Want to read more? Check out our second installment here!

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for part two with responses from the remaining four competitors. Tickets to the Take 6 concert and the VoiceJam Competition are on sale now. Want to see both shows? Then purchase a combo ticket for just $29. Tickets are available online at waltonartscenter.org, by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am–2 pm or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm. 

The Amateurs – Washington University, St. Louis 

What  is in your repertoire? 

We don't have a specific genre or theme that we stick to. Our repertoire is specific to the current iteration of the group but we often leans towards pop, some R&B and jazz pop. Some recent songs we performed at our concerts have been “Bass Song” by Eryn Allen Kane, “Lacy” by Olivia Rodrigo, “Georgia” by Phoebe Bridgers and “Pretty Please” by Dua Lipa.  
Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 
We work with precisely notated music and we also sing arrangements exclusively composed by members of our group. Any member can arrange and it is highly encouraged - we even hold arranging school/support sessions for new arrangers to get advice on their work from our music directors! 
How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it? 
The Amateurs was formed in 1991 by a close-knit group of friends. Fun fact, it used to be a band with instruments, but it slowly developed into an a cappella group. The name "The Amateurs" was picked because of the definition of an amateur: someone who does something because they love it. Of course our motto is "do it because you love it.” 
Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 
We have the same set of tongue twisters that have been passed down for years! We will not start a rehearsal or prepare for a performance without reciting them. We always pair them with corresponding hand movements that have developed over the decades. 
What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

Yebba, Beyoncé, Eryn Allen Kane, Hozier and Phoebe Bridgers. If the list could keep going, Lana Del Rey, SZA, Ariana Grande and Noah Kahan. Everyone's taste is so diverse, and we love sharing new songs with one another. 

What does your group like to do in their free time? 
In our free time, you will find us hanging out around campus, having movie nights, board game nights, picnicking in Forest Park in St. Louis and spending time together as roommates. 
 

Green Tones – University of North Texas 

What  is in your repertoire? 

Our repertoire opens with “Intro” by Orion Sun, then “Alone” by Heart and closes with “The Neighborhood” by Grace Enger. 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 

We primarily work with notated music because we try to have original arrangements ready at the beginning of the semester that already consider our group's current structure and sound. With that being said, we try not to limit ourselves and we improvise/change certain vowels, phrases and dynamics as needed. 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 

Typically, our pre-show ritual is to set the intentions of the group's goal and perform accordingly. Nothing crazy, just a reaffirmation that we are a group and we are there to be the best we can be. 

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

All our members are unique and listen/sing all different styles of music. Whether it be our beatboxer's love for death metal or our music director's love for Lizzy McAlpine, choosing a top five would be impossible! 

What does your group like to do in their free time? 

In our free time we love to talk and catch up! We all have busy schedules and are hard at work on the days we can meet, but when there is free time, we love to joke around. It's a large group with so many different, fun personalities, the conversation topics are endless! 

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group?  

One thing we want people to know and see within our performance is how dedicated we are to our craft. We all love music and a cappella is another outlet to show and express that love. With every performance or recording, we hope to show the passion we have as a collective for music and making art. 

Vocal Point – University of Delaware 

What  is in your repertoire? 

For our set, we will be singing a mashup of “Tongue” originally performed by Maribou State (feat. Holly Walker) and Loïc Nottet’s “Million Eyes,” “Medusa” by Kaia Jette and Hayley Williams’ “Simmer.” 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 

Our group only works with notated music. We have a wonderful arrangement team that consists of current members who arrange our music every semester. Additionally, we have a huge library of past songs that Vocal Point has sung. 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 

Before competitions we have a tradition called “VP letters.” Each member writes a personalized letter to someone else. On the day of competitions, we give our letters to each other and it is so special! Having a personalized note of encouragement, happy memories and inside jokes from every current member brings the loving energy of Vocal Point to maximum capacity and makes us feel so close. It reminds us why we do what we do with the people around us and creates an infectious energy that cannot be duplicated. 

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

“Harley's in Hawaii” by Katy Perry, “Me and Your Mama” by Childish Gambino, “Clarity” by Zedd, “777” by Silk Sonic and “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. 

What does your group like to do in their free time? 

We come from a wide variety of majors including education, chemical engineering, music and criminal justice! Between us, there are lots of activities we like to do, including stand-up comedy, fishkeeping club and improv. Others like to write original music, read books and advocate for social justice causes. As a whole, we love to sing together and hang out. A Vocal Point staple is traveling to the rope swing & ropes course on a hiking trail near campus!  

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group?  

We are very passionate about the music we make, both on the stage and in the studio. Check out our latest EP, “Collision,” on all streaming platforms! 

Final Measure – University of Houston 

What is in your repertoire? 

Our repertoire is slowly expanding to any genre! We mostly work on pop, R&B, a bit of country and electronic dance music!   

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 

Final Measure typically works with precisely notated music. The group comprises members with various backgrounds and majors, ranging from business, acting, vocal performance, marketing and more. Most of the group members have experience in precisely notated music, such as musicals, show choir and semi-professional chorale.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 

Our group has various warm-ups, ranging from breathing exercises to movement routines. During our competition season, we typically go backstage about two to three groups before our performance. This allows us to project our full power within a certain time frame, helping to avoid putting too little or too much strain on our voices. We start with scales using various vowels while stretching, focusing on maintaining breath support and engaging our core muscles. Then, we do a whole-body shakedown followed by a brief yoga session to increase the group's awareness of their bodies. As part of our ritual, I usually give a pre-game speech followed by an “I feel so good” chant. 

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give use your top 5? 

In terms of my personal preferences and listening to some of the group members' favorites, there's a couple of bangers in there. These are artists such as Chloe x Halle, Renee Rapp, Jung Kook, Lawrence, and Rihanna.  

What does your group like to do in their free time? 

In our free time, we often have groups going out to eat after a productive rehearsal. We also enjoy organizing themed parties and going out for karaoke nights on campus. Additionally, we like to do mini performances in our free time, not only to maintain our performance repertoire but also to keep our voices fresh. 

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group? 

Final Measure is a student-led and founded group that began in 2021. Over our first three years, we have won various awards, including runner-up for best soloist, best vocal percussionist and more. We are a competitive a cappella group that also enjoys having fun with others who share the same passion.

VoiceJam Festival Schedule  

VoiceJam Kickoff Concert – Take 6  

Friday, April 12 | 8 pm  

All tickets are $10  

VoiceJam Workshops  

Saturday, April 13 | 9 am – 5 pm  

VoiceJam Competition  

Saturday, April 13 | 7:30 pm  

Tickets are $27  

Meet Four of the ACA-Awesome Teams Competing at VoiceJam Part II

The annual VoiceJam A Cappella Festival on April 12-13 brings the best a cappella groups from across the country to compete at Walton Arts Center.  We asked each of the eight groups who are competing a few questions to learn more about them! Learn more about PFC, Voices, Volt and Trillium below. Missed the first installment of this blog? Check it out here!

Tickets to the Take 6 concert and the VoiceJam Competition are on sale now. Want to see both shows? Then purchase a combo ticket for just $29. Tickets are available online at waltonartscenter.org, by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am–2 pm or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm. 

PFC – MacArthur High School, San Antonio 

What  is in your repertoire? 

“Through Me” by Hozier, “Here” by Alessia Cara and “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence & The Machine. 

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it? 
PFC (Premiere & Final Cut) were originally two separate groups. One of the groups, Final Cut, was a barbershop group and Premiere was an all-treble group. They merged in the early 2000s, and over time the group has evolved into the PFC we have today! 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 
One of our pre-show rituals is the “Hokey Pokey” which has been a tradition since before any of us knew what PFC was. Another ritual we have is that all our members wear a gold glitter stripe on the left side of their face. This has been a tradition ever since 2020, PFC wore it at the International Competition of High School A Cappella and performed a set that meant a lot to us all.  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

Some of our favorite artists at the moment are Noah Kahan, Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Infinity Song and Sammy Rae & The Friends. 

What does your group like to do in their free time? 
As a high school group, a lot of us are the busiest we have ever been, but that doesn’t stop us from making time to hang out as a group! Half of our high school career has been spent goofing off in the back of the choir room with each other. Outside of school, PFC loves to watch movies, eat (A LOT), thrift and cry together. (In fact, we have had the nickname “people frequently crying” in recent years!)  

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group?  

The special thing about PFC is that our priority is our audience and what message we are sending them. We embody intense emotions and stories through song, healing ourselves along the way, and knowing that someone in the audience needed to hear our message too. We hope our audience leaves our performance knowing that there is hope and feeling empowered. The art we create together is so sacred to us, and on top of that, WE SOUND GREAT! 

Voices  – University of Arkansas 

What  is your repertoire? 

This semester we are working on many things: a Duke Ellington medley, “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,” a couple of Jacob Collier pieces, Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” “Smile,” Santana’s “Yaleo” and Take 6’s “So Much 2 Say”. We’re also keeping a couple of pieces from Fall 2023 such as Highline’s “How High the Moon” and “The Nearness of You” by Norah Jones. 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 

We do both! Most of the music is learned with notated scores, however we mix in improvision within many of those scores and usually open our programs with an improvisational piece. 

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it? 

We took inspiration from the famed New York Voices 

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

Our top five artists are Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Daniel Caesar, Samara Joy, and Whitney Houston. 

What does your group like to do in their free time? 

We like to fish! 

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group?  

We are a versatile group of singers. Some of us sing opera, some sing jazz, pop, theatre, folk and many other styles. Some double as instrumentalists. Some of us are music majors, some of us are not. Some of us are graduate students, some of us are undergraduates. What brings us together is our love for singing, harmony, rhythm and the chance to perform with such a small, but powerful group of voices. 

Volt – University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

What  is your repertoire? 

Our repertoire contains a wide selection of genres from alternative to pop to choral pieces.  

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 

For the most part our songs are performed as written in the music, but our soloists are encouraged to personalize their part. 

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it? 

Volt was chosen as the name for our group to represent our school by incorporating “Vol” for the Volunteers. The word “volt” was chosen because it displays the idea of constant energy being produced, which was an objective for the group when it originated. 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 

On the day of a show, we always meet up, order food and get ready together. We find it’s a good way to relax and hang out after weeks of intense rehearsals.  

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

Right now, our group members are currently listening to music by Taylor Swift, Lizzie McAlpine, Denzel Curry, SZA and Olivia Rodrigo. 

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group?  

Our group was created so that non-music majors at the University of Tennessee could participate in collegiate a cappella. With that being said, our group is made up of students with all different majors.  

Trillium – Dallas/Fort Worth  

What  is your repertoire? 

We will be singing “DID U RLY?” by Sayak Das, a Hozier mashup called “First Light/Who We Are” and “Tears” by RAYE. 

Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise? 

We mostly work with notated music but we have in the past done self-arrangements as well as improvised harmonies. 

How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it? 

Our group name is Trillium, it is a beautiful flower with many colors. We really liked the flower and thought it would be a cool name for our group, plus it’s something we haven’t seen in the a cappella sphere. 

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they? 

We do box breathing as a group to calm any nerves, as well as some pep talks and occasional dance breaks. 

What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5? 

We love R&B and pop, as well as some alternative, “Don’t Lose Sight” by Lawrence, “Something New” by Kristen Cruz, “Flintstones” by Jacob Collier, “Late Again” by Peter Manos and “Change by Djo. 

What’s one thing you want people to know about your group?  

We love having fun and getting to know all the other groups at competitions, our goal as a group has always been to spread positivity within the a cappella community. We also just recently came out with a music video, “bet u wanna” on all streaming platforms and YouTube. 

VoiceJam Festival Schedule   

VoiceJam Kickoff Concert – Take 6 

Friday, April 12 | 8 pm   

All tickets are $10   

VoiceJam Workshops 

Saturday, April 13 | 9 am – 5 pm   

VoiceJam Competition 

Saturday, April 13 | 7:30 pm   

Tickets are $27