The sincerity of the bond between these singers is warming to the heart. Bostonality is a group of friends first and a group of musicians second. Members come from all over the country, as well as from a wide variety of musical backgrounds. What brings this diverse set of people together is a real passion for music. This group has performed its eccentric and eclectic set at showcases, benefits, and competitions all over Boston and beyond. Despite their extensive performance history, the group is always looking for opportunities to share their gift of music, aspiring to make the world a little bit better of a place with the joy and creativity of song.
Originally, they began as a group of barber-shoppers who wanted to sing songs of the late Gene Puerling and since they have evolved into the jazzy ensemble they are today. With the help of internationally renowned director, Tsunenori “Lee” Abe, this group is able to turn 6-part, 20-voice pieces into one perfectly blended and in-tune sound designed to make you want to get up and move and groove to the music! When they are not creating harmonies and scatting in parts, you may find a member of the Boston Jazz Voices as your doctor, teacher, lawyer, or engineer. For these singers, music is a way of balancing the high demands of everyday life.
This group is difficult to miss with their red glittery outfits that are as dazzling as their voices. The women of the Boston Skyline Chorus come from all walks of life. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers who all share a love for music and a passion for performing. This 65+ member group is lead by the fearless musical director, Wendy Patcher, who keeps spirits high and high notes spirited with her love for the international organization, the Sweet Adelines. As a group of the Sweet Adelines organization, the Boston Skyline Chorus is dedicated to advancing the “close harmony” of the barbershop genre through education, competition, and performance through their vivacious energy and booming sound.
Beginning as a group of graduate students from Harvard and MIT, the Cambridge Chamber Singers are now celebrating its 35th season as a 30-member group. Partly responsible for reviving Renaissance music in the Boston area, this ensemble enjoys sharing their love for classical, renaissance, romantic, and 20th, as well as 21st century music with the greater Boston area and all over the world. For the past fifteen years, the Cambridge Chamber Singers have held an international composition competition, receiving over 400 applications in the past year alone! For the past 28 years, the musical director, Ray Fahrner has been challenging his singers with difficult music. Fahrner, as well as his ensemble, enjoys building 8-part vocal arrangements, understanding the motives of late composers, and working through the difficult spots in complicated time signatures. It’s clear that this group of singers is truly inspiring in their ambition and talent.
These cool cats have created one of the longest currently running adult female a cappella groups in the greater Boston area. Founded in 1985, the Copley Cats are committed to the simple, yet important mission of singing music that they like to sing and that people like to hear. This fun group of ladies prides themselves on their blend, which has grown and evolved over the many years of the group’s existence. In fact, some members have been with the group for over 15 years! Singers of the Copley Cats come from a diverse set of backgrounds from designers to engineers to teachers. No matter what crazy events life throws their way, these ladies are able to handle it with the help of living room rehearsals and gigs, which truly portrays the power of music to help heal.
From graceful soprano notes to deep, resonant bassist tones to everything in between, Immutable prides themselves on their vocal ability, creating tight-knit harmonies, expressive dynamics, and unique vocal percussion. Beginning in 2003, this group sings a wide range of fantastic artists from Michael Jackson to Mariah Carey to Passion Bit and the Gin Blossoms. These talented artists sing pop and rock hits all the way back from the ‘50s to today, all a cappella arrangements of course. After the grind of their day jobs, members of Immutable are able to feel some sense of peace from meeting once a week to rehearse and arrange their own songs. There’s one thing for sure--this group’s love for music is immutable… Cheesy, but true.
For their name, this group puts a charming musical twist onto a cheeky nickname sometimes given to Massachusetts residents. A post-collegiate a cappella group, the Mass Whole Notes formed back in 2010. Members of this group are full-time professionals or graduate students that come together from their busy lives to share in a common love for music. Despite only three members having a background in music, this ambitious group arranges all of their own pieces. This way, the group is able to more fully create their own unique interpretation of a song. The talented a cappella group is known for mashing up old favorites into exhilarating new creations that they can share with the world, which we are thankful for because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good mash-up?!
Vocal Revolution got its start in 1970 as a way to help preserve and encourage barbershop singing. This group emphasizes close-harmony singing, a style of accompanied singing that emerged on the barbershop scene during the late 19th century. With more than 50 male singers spanning three generations, their repertoire ranges from traditional spirituals to pop hits. Not only are the singers of this group talented, they are also compassionate. Members are deeply committed to the funding of music education for local youth who can benefit from the discipline, fellowship, and joy of singing.
