By Jennifer Andelin
The Madsen Recital Hall in Provo was packed last night to hear BYU’s Bravo! Series latest event: VOCES8. The group is a British a capella octet that has a Renaissance flair. The group originally formed in 2005 and has become a global success. This performance at BYU is just one stop along their international tour. In addition to singing, VOCES8 cares deeply about music education. The group holds workshops and master classes as well as awards eight choral scholarships each year. They are the Associate Ensemble for Cambridge University and official ambassadors for Edition Peters.
Because of this love for music education, VOCES8’s tour encompasses more than just performances. They mentioned last night how they met with BYU students earlier that day to talk about music and method. One student asked what do they do when they get sick but have to perform. The group laughed since that was their situation at last night’s performance. Because of this, the group changes the program up—eliminating some songs and adding others.
The octet is currently comprised of Andrea Haines (soprano), Eleonore Cockerham (soprano), Katie Jeffries-Harris (alto), Barnaby Smith (alto), Blake Morgan (tenor), Sam Dressel (tenor), Christopher Moore (bass), and Jonathan Pacey (bass). The group commands impeccable control and precision. I was particularly impressed by Haines. The power with which she hits high notes and maintains them was incredible. I also highly enjoyed Moore’s performances. This is his first season with VOCES8 and he is a wonderful addition. His solos in “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” by Duke Ellington and arranged by Ben Parry has many a collegiate girl swooning in the audience. The group also shines with their performance of “Denn er hat seinen Engeln” and “Bogoroditse Devo,” by Sergei Rachmaninoff. This genre is what sets this a cappella ensemble apart from so many of the beat-boxing, Pentatonix-like groups.
VOCES8 says of themselves and the focus of their currentKeeping the skin dry and clean sale of sildenafil tablets is probably useful. Though there are lots of treatments of on line levitra joint pain but it may be treated with the help of herbal supplements to overcome this problem. You can place an online order by specifying the quantity and order cheap levitra you need to make an online payment. Let us find out http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/hamster-eating-sushi/ order tadalafil online 5 benefits that the wonder berries shower on you: Control Over Obesity Many people, in today’s era, are fed up with the problem of impotence. tour, “We found ourselves returning time and again to this idea of the desire for comfort being expressed through music. [. . .] There is for us something inherently comforting about the sound of unaccompanied voice in harmony.” Unlike other a cappella groups, I find that VOCES8 achieves this in their selection and compilation of pieces. Singing songs as a set allows the audience to flow from one comforting song to the next, connecting not only lyrics but also emotion without the jarring effect of applause. I especially found this to be true in their choice to sing the Christian hymn “Be Still My Soul” followed by “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus. This was one of my favorite performances of the night.
The members switch gears halfway through the performance to be more playful and energetic. Songs like “One Note Samba,” by Antonio Carlos Jobim and arranged by Naomi Crellin create a fun, vocal test for both the performers and listeners while“Sway” by Pablo Ruiz and arranged by Alexander L’estrange is visually entertaining. These dance tunes lend themselves to movement, and VOCES8 does a splendid job of using the music’s dynamics to create clever choreography onstage.
The group regrettably did not sing one of their signature pieces: “Luckiest” by Ben Folds and arranged by Clements. Please check it out through the link below to get an introduction to the harmony of this talented group. Even though VOCES8 only performed one night at BYU, be sure to check them out through their social media platforms, videos, and hopefully a live performance in the future.
Bravo! Professional Performing Arts at BYU presents VOCES8
Madsen Recital Hall, Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Campus, Provo, Utah 84602
February 14, 2019 5:30 PM, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $25
Contact: 801-422-2981
BYU BRAVO! 2018-19 Season Events Page
BYU Arts Facebook Page
VOCES8 Facebook Event
VOCES8 Instagram (voces8), Twitter (VOCES8), and Facebook Page
“Luckiest” Ben Folds arr. by Clements
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