I love music. The one type of music that never ceases to amaze me is a cappella music…no instruments, just voices.
Listening to a group sing acappella literally gives me goosebumps because for that moment in time, we are made aware of the power and beauty that occurs when voices come together. Not everyone sings the melody nor does everyone sing harmony. Rather it is a perfect blend of melody me harmony with both serving to bring out the best in each other.
If melody is a marker, harmony is a highlighter. It highlights what is there bringing greater attention to something that we want to remember and not forget.
If melody is the photo in the coloring book, harmony is the colours used in the photo.
Melody is the meat, harmony is the gravy. When done well, both make the meal (moment) irresistible.
A cappella is all about coming together and the best groups in my opinion are the ones in which the voices blend together in such a way that you are tempted to believe that there are instruments involved.
What I love most about A cappella music is that it is made up of pure, raw (unmanufactured) voices and showcase the beauty of our rawness when we come together for a single purpose.
In many ways, it reminds me of the power and infinite potential within each one of us to contribute to something beautiful. something that transcends the here and now and perhaps connects us with something that can only be described as…divine.
Here is a little sample of just some of the amazing A cappella groups/performances out there! Close your eyes and just let yourself melt into the music.
I first heard the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa on a PBS special and instantly fell in love. There is power when we come together in our rawness.
Have you heard of the show The Sing-Off? Hosted by Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees fame and is a bit like American Idol but for A cappella Groups-no instruments, just voices. It was incredible. Here is a little taste of some of the groups from Sing-Off!
And a group I’ve featured before, Pentatonix (who rose to fame on the Sing-Off)
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