iSing, together with Voces8

World-renowned Vocal Octet Voces8 inspires — and is inspired by — iSing

iSing HD singers spent November 3 and 4 collaborating with the world-renowned U.K.-based Voces8. Yes, THE Voces8! Many iSing singers and their families think of Voces8, — eight young men and women deservedly famous for their stunning choral blend, their huge palette of vocal colors, and their mastery of many musical styles — as choral-singing heroes. But when Voces8 arrived at First Baptist Church to meet with the girls on the first evening, one HD parent said in wonder: Wait, they look like regular people! By the end of their time together, iSing had been visibly lifted up by Voces8 — and Voces8 seemed pretty inspired by iSing.

Day 1: HD singers were treated to a two-hour masterclass that ranged from exercises combining imitative and improvisational movement, rhythm, and sound making to coaching of two HD pieces. Voces8 told the girls they were struck by their sumptuous sound and technical ability. Because of this, Voces8 members were able to challenge the girls with fun character exercises illuminating choices and decisions in song interpretation, and to point them to fine details of expression, phrasing, and diction (pronunciation of the words). Voces8 and HD also did some creative work on the piece they would perform together the next night.

Day 2: The concert! Featuring iSing’s debut performance in front of a packed, enthusiastic audience at magnificent Grace Cathedral in San Francisco! Voces8 offered a gorgeous, wide-ranging program including Renaissance, Romantic, and contemporary works for a cappella voices, as well as some American standards and jazz tunes arranged for Voces8.

 During the second half of the program, iSing HD singers took the stage and dazzled listeners with their transcendent singing of The Water of Tyne!  iSing and other Bay Area singers then joined Voces8 to perform Music on the Waters by Jonathan Dove. What an amazing opportunity for HD singers to introduce iSing and showcase their beautiful singing for a San Francisco audience. HD truly wowed a crowd that knows and was there to hear great choral singing. Among iSing’s new fans: members of the storied, SF-based male vocal ensemble Chanticleer, as well — of course — as Voces8. The whole iSing community is incredibly proud of these girls!