The 10th annual VoiceJam A Cappella Competition on April 11 brings the best a cappella groups from across the country to compete at Walton Arts Center. We asked each of the seven competing groups a few questions to learn more about them. Get to know three of these competitors: Star Struck, LARK and Euphoria!
Keep an eye out for part two with responses from the remaining four competitors.
Tickets to Voctave, the professional headliner concert and the VoiceJam Competition are on sale now. Want to see both shows? Then purchase a combo ticket for just $31.85. Tickets are available online at waltonartscenter.org or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm.
Star Struck – University of Houston
What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?
Our set this year has songs that fall into the pop, alternative and indie genres. Most of our repertoire typically comes from these genres, but we also have explored some songs with jazz, folk or R&B elements. As far as some favorite arrangements, our members really love lively and bold styles the most.
Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?
We typically use notated arrangements, and we like to work with compositions from a variety of different arrangers.
How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?
Initially, we had a big group discussion and brainstormed a huge list of names. Ultimately, one of the members suggested Star Struck, after the Disney Channel movie, and everyone thought it had a nice ring to it so we kept it! For us, it encompassed everything that we were striving for with this group, performing with passion and high energy that leaves an impact.
Do you have any pre-show rituals or warmups? If so, what are they?
As far as pre-show rituals, we like to make a big batch of hot tea on the night before a competition and watch a movie together to calm any nerves. We also have a fun chant we like to do right before we go onstage to build hype and get in the right mindset.
What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?
Some of our members’ favorite artists include SZA, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Victoria Monet and Conan Gray.
What does your group like to do in your free time?
Our group members have a lot of different hobbies, as all of us come from different majors at University of Houston. As a whole group, we also enjoy spending time together outside of rehearsal as well, usually in board game nights, movie nights and family dinners!
Lark – University of Colorado Denver
What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?
We love singing pop/alternative songs, and we have all kinds of things in our rep. We lean toward things that have storytelling as part of the natural narrative. Right now, we are singing "Yosemite" by Iniko, "Uninvited" by Alanis Morisette and "Thieves" by Sami Rae.
Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?
We do both! Our favorite thing to do is collaboratively arrange. That's when we feel like we build the most fun things, when the arrangement is really tailored to each individual singer.
How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?
Our director, Erin Hauger, named the group when she first founded it, drawing inspiration from a line in “Green Finch and Linnet Bird” from Sweeney Todd: “Larks never sing, you know, when they’re captured.” The name reflects the idea that creativity and authenticity need freedom to exist. The group was created to be a safe, supportive space where people can take creative risks, express themselves honestly and develop their own originality rather than feeling constrained or boxed in by traditional performance expectations.
What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?
Olivia Dean, Backseat Lovers, “Stateside Remix” by Pinkpantheress, Zara Larsson and Conan Gray.
What does your group like to do in your free time?
Dance, make Roblox course Youtube videos, crochet dresses, read old school mysteries and snowboard.
Euphoria – Grand Valley State University
What kind of music do you enjoy singing together/what is in your repertoire?
Our repertoire primarily consists of contemporary pop and current radio hits. Recent songs include “Unstoppable” by Sia, “Movement” by Hozier, “Snow Angel” by Reneé Rapp, “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars and “Teeth” by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Does your group work with precisely notated music, or do you improvise?
Our group works with precisely notated music.
How did you come up with the name for your group? What is the story behind it?
Our name was selected by the founding executive board in 2006 during a casual meeting. This year, Euphoria is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary as a group.
Do you have any pre-show rituals or warmups? If so, what are they?
One of our most meaningful pre-show rituals is circling up, putting our arms in the middle, and saying the chant: “We sing, you listen, we all experience Euphoria!” This tradition has been part of our group for years and helps us feel connected and focused before every performance.
What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to on your personal playlists – give us your top 5?
Our recent EP All That’s Left, released this past January (available on Spotify and Apple Music via GVSU Euphoria) “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson, “Stateside” (feat. Zara Larsson) by PinkPantheress, Florence + The Machine and Hozier.
What does your group like to do in your free time?
Outside of rehearsals, we enjoy spending time together playing Jackbox Games, photo roulette and bringing the house down for Karaoke Tuesday at Main Street Pub.
VoiceJam Festival Schedule
VoiceJam Kickoff Concert - Voctave | Friday, April 10 | 7:30 pm | All tickets are $10
Free VoiceJam Workshops | Saturday, April 11 | 9 am - 1 pm
VoiceJam Competition | Saturday, April 11 | 7:30 pm | Tickets are $31.05
Free Community Event: One-Day Choir | Sunday, April 12 | 10am-noon