In perfect harmony
A Cappella crew plans to wow audiences with synchronized voices
A local church hall will provide the venue for a perfect blend of harmony and entertainment when the A Cappella Showcase Chorus presents its fifth annual on Saturday.
"We love to sing and perform and we try to do this every month," said chorus director Carolyn Sexton.
Celebrating five successful years, the 20-member, Frederick-based chorus has competed across the globe, including televised performances.
This weekend, the chorus will share the stage at the Church of the Transfiguration in Braddock Heights with three other a cappella groups, including award-winning female quartet MAXX Factor.
"They're fine singers and great entertainers so we are so excited to have them," Sexton said.
Based out of Baltimore, MAXX Factor has been together almost three years and has competed in Sweet Adeline Society competitions, which are held for female barbershop quartets. The group recently starred in the NBC reality program "Sing Off" where they made it to the third round.
"We sing all barbershop arrangements with a bass, lead, baritone and tenor," said member Valerie Hadfield-Rasinake. "It has a nice ringing, rich sound."
Hadfield-Rasinake says she was surrounded by harmony all her life both her father and grandfather performed in a cappella groups and found that joining her own was "a natural transition."
"This has been a great opportunity to expose people to different types of music and a cappella is one of the oldest forms. It's also been a great chance to meet new people and travel all over the world," she said.
On Saturday, MAXX Factor will entertain with barbershop renditions of Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and other popular tunes that have won them honors like the 2009 National Harmony Sweepstakes contest.
The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the A Cappella Showcase Chorus, who for the first time will don costumes other than their traditional black tie.
"This year we'll be wearing all 50s clothes like poodle skirts, saddle shoes, leather jackets and rolled-up jeans," said Sexton. "Our first half will be all songs from the 1950s."
The second act, she said, will feature the troupe's traditional repertoire; songs that have entertained audiences for the past five years, including doo-wop, Broadway, rock and jazz.
In addition to its annual show the chorus' largest fundraiser of the year - the chorus has played at many special events in and around Frederick and at benefits and charities.
The audition-only group started as a trio who wanted to share their love of a cappella with area residents. After blanketing the town with fliers and ads, the group swelled to 28 voices, holding their first big performance just three months later.
"Every spring we've held our anniversary performance," Sexton said.
Also joining the A Cappella Showcase Chorus on Saturday will be Sarah Barrett's contemporary Christian quartet Voices of Truth.
Barrett and her husband, both members of the A Cappella Showcase Chorus, launched their own group just over a year ago. The quartet - three of whom are A Cappella Showcase members has traveled throughout the region performing with their rock sound.
Voices of Truth often sings at church events.
"We focus on the joy of living a Christian life," said Barrett. "We have a hopeful overtone that makes our music approachable."
This will be Voices of Truth's second appearance at the annual A Cappella Showcase concert.
"It's always a nice way to show the home crowd what we've been working on," Barrett said.
A mixed quartet from Smithsburg High School, coached by Sexton, will round out the evening's roster of singers.
"This will all be great entertainment, perfect for the whole family," said Sexton."
A Cappella Showcase Chorus
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Church of the Transfiguration, 6909 Maryland Avenue, Frederick
Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for students
For information:
301-257-7462
ACappellaShowcase@gmail.com