Are you watching this season’s competition on “The Sing-Off?” If you’re not, you’re missing a treat. Sixteen talented a capella groups were featured on the premiere, with two groups voted off to start. Tonight, the battle continues, and one of the remaining competitors has my heart—and the heart of my family—all the way.
Named Vocal Point, this group of nine young men from nearby Brigham Young University has the chops—and the lungs—to make it all the way. I was honored to interview three of these guys this last week, and I appreciate them for taking time out of taping and school to answer my questions.
How did you guys form your group? How did you come to be on “The Sing-Off?”
Jake Hunsaker answered: “Vocal Point has been around for twenty years and counting! At first it was just meant to be a double quartet, but as they auditioned the very first group they had a hard time deciding between two guys. They decided to keep them both. That’s how Vocal Point’s unique nine-man sound was born. VP is a BYU group, and only students are allowed. Every year we audition to fill in any spaces left by graduating members. The current group has been around since last fall. We have had a blast this year and the Sing-Off is the icing on the cake for us!”
Why did you want to be a part of “The Sing-Off?” What does being on the show mean to all of you?
Robert Seely replied, “As a member of Vocal Point, I love the opportunities we have to share goodness through music. Some of my favorite experiences actually come after our shows when I get to interact one-on-one with and get to know or audience better. I’ve found that everyone has a unique story and everyone experiences the music a little differently. Being on The Sing-off presented an opportunity to reach out and share our music with millions. As a group, we decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we couldn’t pass up.”
How does your faith (Latter-day Saint) play a role in your performances?
Keith Evans said, “Our faith directs everything about our performances, as well as how we prepare for them. Every rehearsal begins with prayer: for ourselves, for our audiences, and everyone involved with the production. We make sure the material we perform is uplifting, and stays consistent with the high moral standards of our church and school. For example, at one point during production, we asked that we be allowed to sing a different song than the one presented to us. The production personnel were very supportive of our standards and allowed us to make the change.”
I bought one of your CDs and have been playing it in the car. My kids love the Mario song. How did you come up with that?
Keith Evans replied, “The great thing about having a high turnover rate in Vocal Point is that fresh, new ideas and perspectives keep coming in. The Mario medley was thought up by the members of the 2005-2006 group: they wanted to try something more creative, and which would really push the boundaries of the group’s repertoire. That tradition of innovation continues today. Whether it’s a cover of a popular radio song, an opera piece about trying to find a date, or a medley of sports theme songs, Vocal Point is never ordinary a capella.”
What’s fun for me is to hear my children singing along and trying out the harmonies on everything from “Mario” and “Spiderman” to “Praise to the Man.” We are definitely going to be purchasing more Vocal Point CDs, and we have loved cheering you on at home.
Stay tuned for part two of my interview with Vocal Point, and check your local listings for tonight’s show time!
Related Blogs:
David Hasselhoff and Simon Cowell Leaving Reality Shows
What’s Up with All the Matchmaker Shows?
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Television / Lewis Jacob