By LeAnna Hamblin
Teaming up with radio station, FM100.3, Eclipse 6 brings Christmas joy to the audience at The Grand Theatre, a beautiful venue at Salt Lake Community College. Six guys. Six microphones. The lively crowd anxiously awaits the start of this 14th anniversary performance of a local tradition. Award winning acapella group Eclipse 6 is a classy group of gentlemen who love to share their love of music with their fans.
The music set Eclipse 6 has put together is full of classic Christmas songs with a fresh twist. Member Kevin Jones is flawless in laying down the beat box tracks for almost every number performed. But not only is his talent showcased by keeping his mates on beat, the man can sing. Jones’ vocals are featured in the original number, “This Year,” a song about the most special times at Christmas. This number is not lacking in any way as Paul Hansen, who mostly sings lead, takes over keeping the group on beat.
The concert is rich with Christmas favorites, but the modern twist Eclipse 6 adds keeps the audience engaged and entertained. Their fresh arrangement of “Come All Ye Faithful” and tight harmonies in “Do You Hear What I Hear” make the audience feel as if they are hearing the songs for the first time. Leading in to the pop classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which the group members lovingly dedicate to their wives, Jake Despain engages the audience even more by turning to them and asking what they want for Christmas this year. James Case, the strong bass foundation of the group, speaks of the first time he realized the power of music. As a college student, Case joined his first acapella group, and they were hired out to share the joy of music at Christmastime. He speaks of singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” for a couple in their home. Tears were shed, and Case truly felt the influence that music has on people. The group lays down their microphones to perform their rendition of this same song, and their rich voices fill the theater.
As if the classics weren’t enough to entertain for the entire evening, Eclipse 6 has an uncanny ability to take popular favorites and turn them into intricate acapella arrangements or comedic parodies. Their rendition of “This Is Me,” from the box office hit The Greatest Showman, brings to light that everyone is unique and has flaws. The lighting during this song leaves lead singer Despain vulnerable and very visible, representing the flaws which we all have and should embrace. The much-anticipated performance of “Hamildolph,” their nationally recognized parody of Hamilton songs turned Rudolph story, lives up to the hype it has been given. Featuring Shane Taylor as Rudolph and Dan Kartchner as St. Nick, Eclipse 6 takes a world-wide phenomenon and “Eclipse 6-es” it.
To help spread the love of music, Eclipse 6 brings two special guest performance groups on stage with them. YouTube sensation Scott and Ryceejo performs their beautiful arrangement of “I Heard the Bells” with Eclipse 6. There is a modern twist with angelic overtones, provided by Ryceejo, and the fade at the end leaves you in a state of serenity. Eclipse 6 also performs, for the first time, with an instrumental group. A string quartet from the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, with whom Eclipse will be performing with on December 17, perfectly adds to the performance of “Christmastime.” With music arranged by Syracuse Symphony Orchestra director Tim Koster, the strings add another level of musicality that beautifully enhances the entire experience of the song. In the ultimate culmination of collaboration, Eclipse 6 performs “Silent Night” with the Syracuse string quartet and Scott and Ryceejo. As a timeless Christmas carol, one may think they’ve heard every version of this song, but the beauty and joy that is projected by all three groups combined is something that every audience member feels.
Eclipse 6 pays tribute to their faith as they perform “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” arranged by BYU Vocal Point’s director and arranger, McKay Crockett. The men of Eclipse 6 beautifully use their vocal instruments to praise God and show how He is faithful to us. Not only have they turned to Crockett to help in their music arranging, for years they have used the incomparable talent of Patrick Rose to help perfect the music that Eclipse 6 records and performs. Rose has since moved on to writing music for film and television, but his work is alive and well each time these men hit the stage or studio.
As one of the final numbers of the night, Eclipse 6 turned to the talent of songwriter, Shawna Edwards, and the emotional song “Do You Have Room.” Projecting their own music video as they perform the song live only adds to the impact this song has on the listener as one reflects on the important things in his life.
Their new parody, first performed at this concert, is one that audiences are loving, and the encore leaves the audience wanting more. FM100.3 Christmas with Eclipse 6 is the perfect holiday date night or evening of entertainment for the whole family.
FM100.3 Presents Christmas with Eclipse 6
Grand Theatre: Main Stage, 1575 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
December 6-8, 10, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $9-$29
Eclipse 6 Facebook Page
Scottandreceejo Facebook Page
FM100 Christmas with Eclipse 6 Facebook Event
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