Voicealone

The range and beauty of the human voice is shown at its best without accompaniment, clear and pure. Such is a cappella music, a term that came from "cappella" which is Latin for chapel. Thus, a cappella came to signify music composed and performed the way it was done in the chapels of old.

In recent years, trends around the world have transformed a cappella music into a vibrant and evolving genre which includes not only unaccompanied sacred music but also jazz, reggae, pop, rock and classical music. The growth of rap and its human beat-box routines have opened numerous possibilities of vocal percussion and imitation. A variety of styles and techniques have challenged traditional vocal ranges, and both male and female singers often sing outside the usual vocal ranges. Much is demanded of the vocalist who must not only possess a good sense of pitch but must also be capable of singing a separate vocal line while blending with the rest of the members.

Today, an a cappella renaissance has emerged. Hundreds of contemporary a cappella groups, both amateur and professional, have been organized around the world. A cappella performers have released recordings everywhere from Cuba to Italy, from Malaysia to Sweden, attracting audiences around the world. The a cappella industry is very much alive, complete with recording labels and a network of a cappella groups sharing vocal techniques and musical arrangements.

In the Philippines, a cappella singing immediately calls to mind the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, who have greatly contributed to its growth in the country. Following in their footsteps are three of the most versatile vocal groups today: The CompanY, The Opera and Tux, who will perform together for the first time at a concert entitled "Kantapella" on May 25 and 26 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

The CompanY was formed in 1985 by alumni of the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club. Initially, they sang as back-up vocalists for the country’s reigning pop stars of the 80s before turning professional.

Over the past 19 years they have received 36 music industry awards, making them the most awarded recording vocal group in the country, and have released 12 critically and commercially successful albums.

Veterans of the concert circuit both here and abroad, The CompanY has had the privilege of sharing the stage with international artists such as The Manhattan Transfer, Jim Brickman, Noel Pointer, John Ford Coley, David Pack, Ambrosia, Survivor, Kalapana, Kenny Rankin and Michael Buble.

The Opera is a versatile quartet who can render pop, jazz, R & B, upbeat and even classical songs with remarkable ease. Since they debuted in 1986, the members have performed with local pop artists as well as foreign talents like Noel Pointer, David Benoit and Kevyn Lettau. They are all currently among the most sought-after session vocalists for live shows, recording and commercial jingles.

In the early 80s, the local entertainment scene welcomed a new singing group composed of personable, bright and articulate young men from the top universities and exclusive schools. They called themselves TUX, a catchy, if somewhat irreverent contraction of tuxedo, the epitome of elegance.

The group has steadily built up a repertoire of old standards from the golden musical eras of the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s but delivered with a distinct contemporary feel. In 1984, the group received the Aliw Award for Most Promising Showband/Group. In 1998, the group brought honors to the country with its outstanding performance in the International A Cappella Festival organized by the National Arts Council of Singapore.

In Kantapella, the groups will perform individually and in tandem with one another as well as with guest artists in a varied program In recent years, trends around the world have transformed a cappella music into a vibrant and evolving genre which includes not only unaccompanied sacred music but also jazz, reggae, pop, rock and classical music. The growth of rap and its human beat-box routines have opened numerous possibilities of vocal percussion and imitation. A variety of styles and techniques have challenged traditional vocal ranges, and both male and female singers often sing outside the usual vocal ranges. Much is demanded of the vocalist who must not only possess a good sense of pitch but must also be capable of singing a separate vocal line while blending with the rest of the members.

Today, an a cappella renaissance has emerged. Hundreds of contemporary a cappella groups, both amateur and professional, have been organized around the world. A cappella performers have released recordings everywhere from Cuba to Italy, from Malaysia to Sweden, attracting audiences around the world. The a cappella industry is very much alive, complete with recording labels and a network of a cappella groups sharing vocal techniques and musical arrangements.

In the Philippines, a cappella singing immediately calls to mind the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, who have greatly contributed to its growth in the country. Following in their footsteps are three of the most versatile vocal groups today: The CompanY, The Opera and Tux, who will perform together for the first time at a concert entitled "Kantapella" on May 25 and 26 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

The CompanY was formed in 1985 by alumni of the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club. Initially, they sang as back-up vocalists for the country’s reigning pop stars of the 80s before turning professional.

Over the past 19 years they have received 36 music industry awards, making them the most awarded recording vocal group in the country, and have released 12 critically and commercially successful albums.

Veterans of the concert circuit both here and abroad, The CompanY has had the privilege of sharing the stage with international artists such as The Manhattan Transfer, Jim Brickman, Noel Pointer, John Ford Coley, David Pack, Ambrosia, Survivor, Kalapana, Kenny Rankin and Michael Buble.

The Opera is a versatile quartet who can render pop, jazz, R & B, upbeat and even classical songs with remarkable ease. Since they debuted in 1986, the members have performed with local pop artists as well as foreign talents like Noel Pointer, David Benoit and Kevyn Lettau. They are all currently among the most sought-after session vocalists for live shows, recording and commercial jingles.

In the early 80s, the local entertainment scene welcomed a new singing group composed of personable, bright and articulate young men from the top universities and exclusive schools. They called themselves TUX, a catchy, if somewhat irreverent contraction of tuxedo, the epitome of elegance.

The group has steadily built up a repertoire of old standards from the golden musical eras of the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s but delivered with a distinct contemporary feel. In 1984, the group received the Aliw Award for Most Promising Showband/Group. In 1998, the group brought honors to the country with its outstanding performance in the International A Cappella Festival organized by the National Arts Council of Singapore.

In Kantapella, the groups will perform individually and in tandem with one another as well as with guest artists in a varied program of rock, jazz, pop and standard favorites. The concert will premiere new vocal arrangements of Ryan Cayabyab (Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako) and Moy Ortiz (Quincy Jones‚ WeeBeeDooinit, A Cappella Party, Me Against the Music), which were written specially for this concert.

Kantapella goes on stage at the CCP Main Theater on May 25 and 26 at 8 pm. Tickets available at the CCP Box Office and TicketWorld in National Bookstores and Tower Records, online at www.yehey.com/ccp. Or call CCP Marketing Dept. at 832-3681.