And what a weekend it was, featuring impressive appearances by professional groups m-pact and Groove Society (at the art deco Boulder Theater), with added performances by guest and Boulder's own 3 Story Limit, full concerts shared by the visiting performing groups, workshops by Britt Quentin and Trist Curless of m-pact, and great opportunities for "wood-shedding," and comparing notes, CDs and arrangements among the singers and others who attended.
Almost 700 a cappella fans crowded the Boulder Theater for the kick-off concert and party on May 5 -- special because it was also the tenth anniversary of m-pact's success as Champion of the National Harmony Sweepstakes, its 1996 introduction to worldwide attention as one of the most sought after ensembles on earth. m-pact also introduced its long awaited 3rd compact disc, called simply m-pact, to the assembled singers and fans (to whom they sold almost a year's supply in one evening). The opening set by Groove Society, Colorado's leading a cappella jazz ensemble, clearly indicated they were worthy of their position and likely to be the next breakout group to represent Colorado and its widely renowned University of Northern Colorado jazz program, as were the m-pact guys a number of years before.
The assembled "Spring Sing" groups, all members of the American A Cappella Alliance formed just last year to provide an umbrella organization for this type of group, all performed in two separate programs, one featuring four or five brand new arrangements and the other treating audiences to some of their previous ensemble "hits" that spice their programs back in their home states. With those concerts, great meals, camaraderie and practically non-stop singing in lobbies, halls, reception areas and local bars, no one went home from Colorado with much voice left. Of course, the mile high atmosphere (one of the events was titled "A Cappella @ Altitude") challenged all but the locals, although you would never have known with the quality of arrangements and ensemble work also at close to an all time "high."
The AACA (American A Cappella Alliance) affords a new opportunity for ensembles from across the continent, who pursue their music for the joy of singing, to work and perform with the experienced and skillful groups who make up the Alliance. And since one of the past Spring Sings has been in Canada, consider the term "American" as our "place on Earth" rather than the U.S. itself. AACA ensembles are an eclectic bunch, varying from three to 21 singers and almost as many styles or genres of repertoire. If you believe your group may be interested in considering an AACA affiliation, and the excitement and musical rewards that annual Spring Sings represents, please travel to www.AACAlliance.org and learn more about this Spring Sing and the groups that participated. Then contact the Alliance for more information.
Of course, next year will be a pivotal year for the organization, which will oversee the 50th anniversary of "Spring Sing" -- to be hosted by the Counterparts in Philadelphia. If you're a member of a group anything like these, you won't want to miss that kind of musical excitement.
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