BSO Announces Rock Your Voices: A Singing Competition for A Cappella Ensembles

Winning ensemble receives the chance to perform pre-concert when the BSO presents Rockapella on November 10

Baltimore, Md. (October 13, 2011) - To celebrate Rockapella's performance at the Music Center at Strathmore on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8 p.m., the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces Rock Your Voices, the BSO's singing competition for a cappella music ensembles. Capitalizing on the obsession with choral singing ignited by the hit TV show, GLEE!, the BSO invites local singers of all ages to submit a YouTube video of their group performing a song of their choosing for the chance to win the opportunity to perform in the lobby of the Music Center at Strathmore for patrons attending the Rockapella concert. Please see below for complete program information and contest details.

To participate, a cappella ensembles of any size must fill out the form located at BSOmusic.org/voices, providing their contact information and a link to their video. The registration deadline is Tuesday, November 1, 2011. The BSO will select three semi-finalists and post their videos on the BSO's facebook site beginning Wednesday, November 2nd. Fans can vote for their favorite video until voting closes at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8.  The winning ensemble may be featured in additional pre-concert publicity.

Rockapella
Founded in New York City in 1986, the a capella group, Rockapella, sings original vocal music and covers of popular hits. The group is best known as the jet-thrusters for the 295 episodes of the PBS kids television show "Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego?" The 10 million children who tuned in weekly during the show's heyday from 1991-1996 have created a powerful family fan base for the group. The show's theme song is still the group's most downloaded song.

The current Rockapella line-up features Scott Leonard (High Tenor), Jeff Thacher (Vocal Percussionist), George Baldi III (Bass), John K. Brown (Tenor) and Steven Dorian (Tenor). This line-up marks a regeneration of Rockapella whose talents cover a broad entertainment spectrum and are keenly focused on musical excellence. 

The group has made appearances on the PBS "Do It A Cappella" special hosted by Spike Lee.  They've also guest starred with Whoopi Goldberg. Rockapella's repertoire includes jingles for Folgers coffee and Almond Joy; custom promos for "Today Show" and an appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.

COMPLETE CONTEST DETAILS
Who: A Cappella ensembles
What: Rock Your Voices: A Singing Competition
How to apply: Applicants should fill out the online form and submit a link to their video at BSOmusic.org/voices by Tuesday, November 1 by 11:59 p.m. Voting will be open from Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 10:00 a.m. at facebook.com/BSOmusic

COMPLETE PROGRAM DETAILS
BSO Superpops Concert Series: Rockapella
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8 p.m.- Music Center at Strathmore

Rockapella
Rock Your Voices winner

Tickets range from $28 to $88 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org.