VoiceJam Festival Celebrates All Things A Cappella
By: Julie Musbach Mar. 26, 2019
Walton Arts Center is the place for all things a cappella during the VoiceJam Festival April 4-6, 2019.
VoiceJam A Cappella Festival is produced by Walton Arts Center in partnership with Vocal Asia Festival, an Asian a cappella competition founded by Clare Chen in 2010. Chen wanted to create a premier a cappella festival in the U.S. and connect it to the broader world of a cappella, and approached Walton Arts Center with the idea. VoiceJam is now in its fifth year.
In keeping with the goal of connecting people through a cappella, VoiceJam includes performances around the region in schools and public places, concerts by a variety of a cappella performers and workshops for those interested in learning more about a cappella.
The festival finale is the VoiceJam Competition on Sat., April 6 at 7:30 pm. Hosted by Deke Sharon, the father of modern a cappella music, this competition pits eight groups from across the country in a head-to-head aca-battle for the title of VoiceJam Champion and the chance to perform at Vocal Asia in Taiwan this summer. Audience members will also vote for the fan favorite.
2019 VoiceJam 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
Community Performances
Pop-Up A Cappella Concert
Fri., March 29 | 4:30 pm
Springdale Public Library
FREE
Featuring a local a cappella ensemble of students from area high schools and led by Jim Loyd, a music and choir teacher at Helen Tyson Middle School.
Leisurlist After 5
Wed., April 3 at 6 pm
George's Majestic Lounge
FREE
This month's Leisurlist After 5 event features a special performance by Boonfaysau, the 2018 Vocal Asia Festival Champion from Hong Kong. Leisurlist is covering the first round of drinks for the first 100 people who check in and show their Leisurlist app.
Concerts
VoiceJam Kickoff Concert
Thurs., April 4 | 7 pm
Walton Arts Center
FREE
A concert with 2018 Vocal Asia Festival Champions from Hong Kong, Boonfaysau, and the VoiceJam Varsity Singers.
The Edge Effect
Fri., April 5 | 7:30 pm
Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $10
International recording artists, The Edge Effect, have a Signature Sound that blurs genres and weaves a colorful tapestry of infectious beats, intricate harmonies and spectacular vocal acrobatics.
Presented as part of the 10x10 Arts Series, patrons can attend a preshow Creative Conversation with members from The Edge Effect at 6:30 pm. Following the show, patrons can attend a party with the artists in the Walker Atrium and share their thoughts about the show with the popular Post-It Note responses.
VoiceJam Competition
Sat., April 6 | 7:30 pm
Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $19-$39 plus applicable fees
Classes
Guest judges will lead workshops on Sat., April 6 from 9 am until 5 pm. Each one-hour workshop will focus on the art form and industry of contemporary a cappella. Patrons can attend the workshops when they a VoiceJam combo pack for $30 which includes tickets to the VoiceJam Competition and passes to the workshops.
Workshop topics include:
Collaborative Arranging
Strengths of Your Ensemble
Vocal Percussion
Making a Winning Set
Close Harmony Blend
Incorporating Contemporary A Cappella into the Choral Classroom
Spectrum Singing
Singing Instruments
Solo Singer's Toolbox
Stage Presence and Performance
A complete festival schedule and 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.
Walton Arts Center is Arkansas' largest and busiest performing arts presenter. Each year more than 195,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend more than 400 events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, weddings and more. Approximately 45,000 students and teachers participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and almost 200 volunteers donate 21,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, International Artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors who help bring world-class arts experiences to Northwest Arkansas. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
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