So You Want to Sing A Cappella: A Guide for Performers

by Deke Sharon, Dan Ponce founder and music director of Straight No Chaser (Foreword by)

Overview

From amateur collegiate a cappella groups to professional ensembles like Straight No Chaser and Pentatonix, contemporary a cappella has exploded onto the world pop music scene. In So You Want to Sing A Cappella, Deke Sharon combines historical context and a comprehensive look at the a cappella community with a detailed discussion of vocal techniques, rehearsal practices, and live audio support needed to sing great a cappella. Additional contributed chapters examine singing and voice science, vocal health, vocal percussion, and audio technology.

The So You Want to Sing series is produced in partnership with the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and each book features online supplemental material on the NATS website. Please visit www.nats.org to access style-specific exercises, audio and video files, and additional resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538105870
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/03/2017
Series:	So You Want to Sing , #9
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Deke Sharon, heralded as “The Father of Contemporary A Cappella,” (Entertainment Weekly), is responsible for the current sound of modern a cappella, having created the dense vocal-instrumental sound in college. He produces The Sing-Off in four countries and was arranger, on-site music director, and vocal producer for the Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 movies. Sharon founded the Contemporary A Cappella Society and was the founder, director, and arranger for the House Jacks. He has arranged more than two thousand a cappella songs, produced dozens of award-winning a cappella albums, and created a cappella groups for Disneyland and Disneyworld. Stay up to date on his news and his touring activities at www.dekesharon.com, on Twitter @dekesharon and on Facebook.

Table of Contents

Who – The Styles and Groups That Set the Stage for Contemporary A Cappella

Chapter 1 – Precontemporary A Cappella
Chapter 2 – Contemporary A Cappella: A Personal History

What – The Original and Most Powerful Instrument: The Human Voice

Chapter 3a – Singing and Voice Science, Scott McCoy
Chapter 3b – Anatomy of an A Cappella Group
Chapter 4a – Vocal Health for the A Cappella Singer, Wendy LeBorgne
Chapter 4b – A Cappella Group Health

How – Contemporary A Cappella’s Extended Vocal Techniques and Practices

Chapter 5 – Vocal Techniques and Vocal Instruments
Chapter 6 – Vocal Percussion for Everyone, Kari Francis
Chapter 7 – Blend
Chapter 8 – Rehearsal Techniques
Chapter 9 – Using Audio Enhancement Technology, Matthew Edwards
Chapter 10 – A Cappella Audio Tech, Tony Huerta

When – Sing for Your Life: A Cappella Ensembles for All Ages

Chapter 11 – Scholastic A Cappella
Chapter 12 – Professional A Cappella
Chapter 13 – Recreational A Cappella

Where – Careers: Opportunities for Full and Part-Time Employment in A Cappella

Chapter 14 – In the Theater
Chapter 15 – In the Recording Studio
Chapter 16 – In the Rehearsal Room
Chapter 17 – Behind the Scenes

Why – The Reason A Cappella Matters

Chapter 18 – Harmony through Harmony
Chapter 19 – Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Deke Sharon is a great steward of a cappella and tireless champion of lifting others. Whenever he's got a project coming up or out, I'm standing in line.

Claude McKnight

Deke Sharon is one of the founding fathers of contemporary a cappella, immersed in the cultivation and advancement of this beautiful art form. Needless to say, if you love a cappella, this book is a must-have.

Avi Kaplan

This is a treasure trove for anyone serious about singing a cappella. Deke is the godfather and here he brings together a rich repository of expertise and useful information applicable to everyone from the casual singer to the professional. This is a must-have book to add to your library.

Gareth Malone

This volume is an excellent introduction to contemporary a cappella singing.Throughout the book, Sharon is a passionate advocate for the power of singing.. .. He describes singing as a deep and powerful experience that encourages creativity and connection with others, and urges the reader to learn, listen, explore, and create.

Journal of Singing

Deke Sharon brings his infectious, you-can-do-it-too attitude to So You Want to Sing A Cappella. (And who doesn't?!) A cappella literally means ‘in the style of the chapel,’ but Deke teaches in the style of awesome.—

Mickey Rapkin

Deke Sharon's exhaustive knowledge and tireless championship have helped a cappella reach unprecedented audiences. His eyewitness account of the birth of contemporary a cappella and his unique involvement in its emergence make for a groundbreaking book.

Scott Leonard

".. . the book is a compelling argument for how singing reaffirms the importance everyone possesses, both within an ensemble and in society."

Classical Singer Magazine