New in the Contemporary A Cappella Series Thursday, February 13, 2014
Contemporary a cappella music gets more and more popular every year! Here are the newest releases in the Contemporary A Cappella series, from master arranger Deke Sharon:
As performed by NBC’s “The Sing Off” Season Two Winners Committed on their eponymous debut album, the uplifting Stevie Wonder classic As combines both rich close harmony and interwoven polyrhythmic counterpoint, making it an impressive showstopper for an advanced group. Vocal percussion optional.
The Beatles greatest modern folk song Blackbird is finally available for SSA groups, with the melody moving between vocal parts and interspersed elements of counterpoint and 3-part harmony.
As performed by Men of Note on The Sing Off Christmas album “Harmonies for the
Holidays,” The First Noel features a soothing tapestry of diatonic arpeggiations and melodic lines, giving the song a smooth contemporary a cappella feel that will sit comfortably alongside more traditional carols in your holiday program.
One of rock’s most iconic women’s songs (from Carole King’s “Tapestry”), this pulsing, rhythmic arrangement of I Feel the Earth Move incorporates elements of doo-wop and contemporary a cappella beneath a barn-burning solo. Vocal or other percussion optional.
In the tradition of the Singers Unlimited, Real Group and Take 6, this dense 6-part arrangement of the George Shearing classic Lullaby of Birdland is a perfect showcase for an experienced vocal jazz ensemble. Starts as a lullaby, then shifts into a deep jazz swing.
Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s anthem to living on the road, Travelin’ Band is a ripping and
rocking 4-part male arrangement in the collegiate a cappella style, without a solo line (melody in different vocal parts for different verses). A perfect high energy show opener, closer or encore for your male group.
John Mayer’s groovy, soulful anthem Waiting on the World to Change is arranged in full, 5-part a cappella harmony with solo (duet on the choruses). The light reggae groove is woven among pop harmonies above a playful bass line. Vocal percussion optional.
And if you’re interested in arranging songs yourself for your a cappella group, check out “A Cappella Arranging” by Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell. This book is the long-awaited definitive work on the subject. The tone of the book is instructive and informative, yet conversational: it is intended to stand alongside any academic publication while remaining interesting and fun!
Check out the Stanton’s Sheet Music website for more titles in the Contemporary A Cappella series, and contact us for further repertoire suggestions!