Vocal Band Aid and Integration by Parts are actively seeking sponsors for the annual concert, and will be providing advertising space on their website and concert programs for major contributors. Vocal Band Aid is recognized as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and all donations to Vocal Band Aid are Tax-Exempt. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the charity through its website (http://www.vocalbandaid.org) or by contacting the organization by phone at 617-251-8410 or by e-mail at info@vocalbandaid.org. (*statistics courtesy of Music For All Foundation)
ABOUT VOCAL BAND AID
Vocal Band Aid is an association of Boston-area vocal bands committed to preserving music education in local schools. Founded by local a cappella group Integration by Parts, the organization provides a means through which its members and the general public may help to support music education in their communities. Through its annual vocal band festival and concert and other activities throughout the year, Vocal Band Aid strives to raise funds to support music education in local schools while promoting its members' contributions to music and to the greater Boston area community at large. More information on Vocal Band Aid can be found at the organization's website http://www.vocalbandaid.org/
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
M-Pact: http://www.m-pact.com
Hailed as one of the best pop-jazz vocal ensembles in the world (San Francisco Chronicle) and among the best a cappella groups in the country (NBCs Today Show), the pop-jazz tour-de-force, m-pact, has received countless honors, including Billboards Best Unsigned Band of 1999 and the coveted dual titles, 1996-1997 Grand National Champions and Audience Favorites of the Harmony Sweepstakes Festival. In 2001 this Seattle-based vocal band was crowned Artist of the Year at the SAMIE Awards, the Pacific Northwests annual contemporary pop music competition, and for the last two years, m-pact was voted Best Vocal Jazz Group (2002-2003) in the international ACA (A Cappella Community Awards) competition.
Now touring Fine Arts Halls and Jazz Festivals internationally, m-pact has appeared on four continents -- Europe, SE Asia, North Africa, and across the US and Canada, opening and/or performing for pop superstars such as Sheryl Crow, Kenny Loggins, and Bobby McFerrin, as well as with jazz legends from Ray Charles and Natalie Cole to Kenny G and the Woody Herman Orchestra. Around the world, mesmerized audiences buzz from the thrill of m-pact's unbelievable vocal acrobatics and delightful orchestrations, their polished, yet authentic stage presence, and the true, artistic experience they create by the human voice alone.
Vote For Pedro: http://www.pedroband.com
Vote For Pedro is a high-energy vocal band using only the human voice to create thumping grooves and soaring harmonies and melodies. Taunia, Ben, and Shah - formerly of the award-winning and nationally recognized vocal band All About Buford recently branched off to form "Vote For Pedro" to move forward with their unique brand of jazz, pop, and funk infused vocals. As AAB, they were the 2003 Boston Regional Harmony Sweepstakes champions, and the runners-up in 2002. In 2003, they received three A
Cappella Community Awards: Best Female Vocalist Runner-Up (Taunia), Best Male Vocalist Runner-Up (Shah), and Best World Music/Acoustic Band. The Middleboro Gazette described them as "a band that has helped to change the acoustic music landscape of the Northeast". The members of Vote For Pedro have been described as musically sophisticated but approachable and fun! They have performed steadily at venues large and small since their inception with some great entertainers like Wayne Brady, The Persuasions, The Bobs, Toxic Audio, Sean Altman, GrooveLily, Patty Larkin, Vance Gilbert, Jim's Big Ego and more. Vote For Pedro does a highenergy show that gets an audience involved, up on their feet dancing, singing along, and laughing. A combination of musicality and humor create a dynamic show that has audience members coming back for more!
Similar Jones: http://www.similarjones.com/
Similar Jones is a high-energy vocal band with a strong, dedicated, and ever-expanding New England following. Their style is primarily rock and soul, influenced by elements of blues, funk, and jazz. Their repertoire consists of cover songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and today, and includes an growing number of original tunes. The Jones sound is marked by tight harmonies, intricate rhythms, innovative arrangements, and -- most importantly -- by a rock-solid groove. Similar Jones performs frequently at a wide variety of venues. For example: at Fenway Park, with Top 40 recording artist Aaron Carter; many private and corporate parties; at city festivals; in Faneuil Hall Marketplace; on street corners of Provincetown and Boston; at weddings, bachelorette parties, and showers; at a number of nightclubs in the Boston area; on the radio; at Tall Ships Boston. The Joneses also appeared as part of the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest in Boston, and have done a string of performances for Radio Disney all over New England. We've also performed with such a cappella luminaries as The House Jacks and Sean Altman. Similar Jones has been selected to appear in the Boston regionals of the national Harmony Sweepstakes competition four of the last five years.
Downtown Crossing: http://www.dtxboston.com/
Downtown Crossing (DTX) is one of the newest vocal bands on the Boston scene. Originally founded as an all-male group in January 2003, the men of DTX quickly realized they needed some female influence. Now mixed and six members strong, DTX specializes in original songs and innovative, high-energy covers of alternative, modern rock, and R&B tunes.
Integration by Parts: http://www.integrationbyparts.org
Integration by Parts is a seven-member vocal band which has been performing in the greater Boston area since 2001. This merry band of music veterans has crafted a unique sound influenced heavily by jazz, breathing new life into everything from pop to folk to classic rock. The group has been selected to compete in the Boston Regional Harmony Sweepstakes for three years running, and was awarded Best Original Arrangement at the 2003 competition. Known for their tight vocal harmonies, but never in danger of taking
themselves too seriously, the members of IBP infuse their performances with exuberance and a healthy shot of humor. IBP has just released their first album, MetroGnome. The group has recently headlined local venues including Ryles Jazz Club, the Cantab Lounge, the All Asia Cafe and the Barking Crab, and been featured in a range of festivals as disparate as "The Tribe Presents..." comedy showcase and the Mary Baker Eddy Library's "Circle of Song" concert series. IBP also heads up a non-profit organization, Vocal Band Aid, which brings a cappella performers together to help fund music education in Bostonarea schools. Integration by Parts: a cappella without limits!
ABOUT THE SCHOOLS
The Positive Role of Music Education
Much research on childhood education has shown that music education has broad positive impacts on self-esteem in children and thinking and reasoning skills.1 For example, In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students (NELS:88, National Education Longitudinal Survey), researchers found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12. This observation holds regardless of students socio-economic status, and differences in those who are involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not are more significant over time.2 Vocal Band Aid recognizes the positive role of music and works to ensure children in the Greater Boston Area have the opportunity for quality music education.
The Need in Worcester
The Woodward Day School (WDS) is an alternative school that provides educational services to a maximum of 120 regular and special education students, grades 7-12, expelled from Worcester Public Schools and is a collaboration between the Worcester Public Schools and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. The WDS staff is committed to providing a center for support, resource and learning for all students while encouraging and supporting positive, pro-social student academic and behavioral growth and development. Woodward Day School proposes to support its community and students by introducing guitar classes to the music program. Vocal Band Aid will support the positive development of these students by providing guitars to each student, which will help them express themselves, demonstrate responsibility, and learn to work with others.
The Need in Andover
The city of Lawrence is among the poorest in Massachusetts, with 77% of children qualifying for free or reduced-cost school lunch. Many children grow up with even their most basic needs sometimes going unfilled. Under these conditions, music seems frivolous to many people, and fine arts programming in Lawrence schools has been all but eliminated. This is an especially great loss in a community where families are not readily able to seek out other sources and where children struggle in school. The Andover Chamber Music Series, since its founding, has sought to provide exposure to music and music education for young people whose schools and families cannot. In 2004 ACMS formed a partnership with the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club in order to reach significant numbers of children with the benefits of music education. This spring, at a year-end performance, students were clearly thrilled to have an opportunity to share what they had learned with their families, peers and other members of the community, even with our makeshift staging. Vocal Band Aid will directly contribute to the Andover Chamber Music Series by providing equipment (a portable microphone, four folding music stands, and a portable stage or risers to hold a group of 15 performers) for the students performances. This will add substantially to the sense of pride and reward students take from their performances.
The Need in Somerville
In the past year, the budget of the Somerville public school system's music department was drastically reduced, leaving the music programs at the twelve Somerville public schools under funded. These cuts occur at a time when the music programs at both the elementary and high school levels are in dire need of new instruments, which require a significant investment of capital. Vocal Band Aid will directly contribute to the Somerville school system by providing funds to aid in the purchase of new instruments - wind, string, and percussion - for use in both the elementary and high school level music program. By providing access to instruments, the schools will be able to foster and develop interest in music education in students at all age levels.
Additional Support from Vocal Band Aid
Vocal Band Aid will continue to target different schools in need in years to come. In addition to providing financial support for music books and supplies, Vocal Band Aid members will also provide workshops and free concerts to students in these schools to encourage music interest and learning.
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