What is A Cappella?

A Cappella is the ability to sing a harmony at the same time while someone else is singing a completely different harmony. There are no accompanying instruments, the music is 100% vocals and often includes a beatboxer.

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How is this skill different to singing in a choir?

In school choir, there are generally 30-50+  people singing 4-5 harmonies, sometimes more. It is very easy to get away with not putting much effort into learning your part if the others around you on the same harmony have mastered theirs. You cannot get away with that in A Cappella. Those that reach Level 2 Music Ed will be eligible to sing on the microphone. At that point, if you get your harmony wrong, everyone will know. The skill required to be able to do this is generally saved for late teenagers with a developed ear.

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How does it improve my singing ability?

A Cappella is considered one of the hardest singing skills to master. Being able to memorize, sing and perform your harmony on your own against other people all singing completely different harmonies, WHILE dancing and incorporating blending, dynamics and emotion is considered VERY ADVANCED and extremely difficult.   Having a great solo voice will only get you so far, there is SO MUCH more required to be able to sing a cappella which is why most young singers don't really experience a cappella singing at this level until late high school / college as most younger voices are not equipped with the skills to handle it. We will teach you those skills. 

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Teamwork

What is so incredibly valuable for young singers is the unique enviroment that a cappella singing creates. It is no longer about giving the soloist all the attention (which can be damaging for developing characters).  In a cappella, the song doesn't exist unless every single person steps up and because of that everyone is equally respected as a valued, essential team member.  No egos, no competition. Of course soloists get to shine, but the emphasis is now on the team, not the individual. This is so different to the environments surrounding most advanced singing opportunities. This healthy approach to learning to sing has proven to be essential in development because students thrive and work harder when they feel supported and loved. 

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