HS Competitors arrive and get settled, warmed-up and ready to show the judges what they’ve got!
Note that all competing HS groups should attend the orientation. You will need the information we give you there.
Soundcheck will follow. Note that soundcheck are generally open for other (quiet) competitors to view. It’s a great learning experience!
Once a group has completed their own sound-check, their members may stay or are free to attend classes, Spotlight Showcases, their group’s coaching and more.
Have fun!
All high school competitors start off right here to soundcheck.
If you are a HS Competitor, your schedule may look like this.
You’ve never tried beatboxing before?! Well here’s your chance! Spiderhorse and friends will get you from zero to hero in no time! Bring your boots and cats! (It’s your first lesson! Say “boots-and-cats” quickly and you’ll be beatboxing in no time!
Lip buzz is a technique that any gender can use to generate deep rumbling pitches -exactly the kind you need for modern music. Throat Bass is another vocal technique that accomplished this goal. It’s common to both Tuvan overtone singers and beatboxers. Using this approach, singers can generate a pitch which is one octave lower than a typical bass’s lowest sung notes. Some feel the sound is reminiscent of the Mongolian region while others feel the sound is more akin to electronica and dubstep. Whatever your connotations, this unique style adds a wealth of potential expression and power to any group.
Spiderhorse, winner of the 2019 ACA-OPEN and International and American Beatbox championships leads this exploration of these specialized vocal techniques.
World renown beatboxers display their impressive beatboxing chops and then show you how the magic is made!
HS groups performing in the Sat 2PM Show have a backstage call for the HS Competition at this time.
You will be led to your assigned green room/backstage area.
2:00 HS Finals begins! Break a leg!
Hello Judges for the Saturday 2PM HS Competition!
2:00 HS Finals begins!
Judge wisely!
The best High School groups get only 8 minutes of stage time to impress a team of respected a cappella experts as they compete for trophies. The Single Singers, an open a cappella group that you can join, perform while the judges deliberate.
The Science of Sound
- Can science really teach you how to sing better? Come get a glimpse into the exciting and nerdy world of vocal pedagogy.
For the first time in history, a world renown beatbox “ensemble” has won a major contemporary a cappella competition. Beatbox skills alone don’t account for their win. Arranging played a pivotal role. Spiderhorse, the 2019 Aca-Open Champions will break down their unique arranging style. Texture, register and harmonic choices all play a part in creating impactful arrangements under their approach. This is a class that’s as appropriate for beginners as it is for advanced students.
Some bass technique. Some vocal percussion. And most importantly, the insane skill of doing both at the same time. Whether you learn it for bragging rights, just for a hot moment in your show, or to pay one less person in your pro group, this is a skill worth having! Learn the ins and outs of this art form from Sebastian Rilton, founder and one-man rhythm section of the award winning Swedish powerhouse, Riltons Vanner.
Beatbox