Dos and Don’ts: Performing With Other Groups
By Mike Scalise on May 28, 2009 in Dos and Don'ts, Featured
On selected Thursdays, ACB Production Manager Mike Scalise makes his recommendations on a cappella performance in a DO and DON’T format.
DON’T: Schedule performances with only your group.
DO: Invite other groups to perform with yours.
When fans go to an a cappella event, it’s usually because they either:
a) Like the particular group that’s performing or
b) Have an interest in a cappella and want to see a show
A group can cover all of its bases by inviting local (or visiting) groups to perform with them. By turning a single performance into an joint a cappella event, groups will not only draw a larger crowd and gain recognition, but also satisfy both types of a cappella fans. In addition, bringing in a guest group will give your group the opportunity to see another ensemble perform, which always helps generate new ideas–besides giving the guest group the opportunity to try out their act in front of a different audience. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. Whether you’re a newly formed group or veterans to the a cappella scene, collaborate with other groups for your next performance. It will be a hit.
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I completely agree!
Last Fall my group, Fundamentally Sound from the University of Wisconsin, hosted our first annual A Cappell-oween concert, which is a free, acoustic a cappella show on the Thursday before Halloween. We split the show with another UW group, Tangled up in Blue.
In addition to letting you see other groups perform, splitting a show with another group means that you don’t necessarily need to have as much material prepared and you can split the costs (equipment and theater rentals can get pricey).
In February, Wisconsin A Cappella held its 2nd Annual A Cappella Showcase on campus. The concert featured equal time for all four of UW’s groups. Our combined fan bases filled the largest theater on campus and we donated all of the ticket proceeds (over $7000) to the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life.
Mid-semester, when you might be a little light on material anyway, is a great time to put together a show with one or more other groups.
Cameron | May 28, 2009 | Reply
Good post.
I kinda like the idea of my own concert though :P. Sometimes it’s not about increasing fan base, but just a chance to kind of sum up the year with all the accomplishments and being able to do your own thing. And the other groups near by all had similar friend bases as we’re all friends, we just ended up doing our own acappella groups.
I think it really depends on what you’re going for too. As fun as it sounds to share the stage, I find it super fulfilling to be able to say, our group was able to hold our own full 2 hour concert complete with a reception. Especially when its 5 high school guys doing all the planning and putting the show together.
I feel like that needs to happen at least once. I agree with all the pros of sharing the stage and inviting guest performances.
so instead of do’s and don’t’s, i say, do both… or try both at least once to get your own opinion. I personally feel having own concert feels more rewarding; and having other groups is a lot more fun
<3Kaje
Kaje | Jun 5, 2009 | Reply
Kaje,
A nice alternative would be to have opening groups or guest performers do short sets either before or during your concerts. That way you still get to share the stage, but the show remains yours.
Having a guest group will usually entice some of their fan base to show up and it will help you develop ties to other performance groups.
Over the years, we’ve had other a cappella groups, dance groups, a spoken word group (which performed a piece with us later in the show), and an African drum and dance group from the area open for our major concerts. We’ve also opened for other groups.
Cameron
Cameron | Jun 12, 2009 | Reply