Submitted by Sounds of Aloha on
About 25 male high school-aged singers from across Oahu were part of an awesome a cappella experience on November 6 and 7 at the Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa: they participated in the second A Cappella Academy organized by the Sounds of Aloha Chorus. This free two-day event featured visiting clinicians OCTimes, the thrilling 2008 International Champion Quartet of the Barbershop Harmony Society. SOA Musical Director Mark Conching headed up the musical instruction and directed, SOA member and Na Leo Lani Chorus director Lars Isaacson chaired the event, and SOA quartet Resonance rounded out the musical mentorship.
The singers received sheet music and electronic learning tracks for their a cappella performance package in advance, rehearsed on Friday evening and on Saturday, and then performed a free concert on Saturday evening, which included a jaw-dropping set by OCTimes. We are grateful to all of the boys for spending some time learning about and praticing this unique American art form and to OCTimes for their participation and sponsorship of the A Cappella Academy, as well to our other generous event sponsors: Harmony Foundation International, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the Hawaii Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
