Looking for singers for quirky small ensemble in Philly

A few friends in West Philly are looking to start a small singing group in May 2016.

The vision: we get together and sing informally. The focus is making quality a capella music at a mix of skill levels and have fun in a fairly small group. We are thinking 8-10 people. Maybe less. We are all in our 20s and 30s.

Repertoire we have in mind: Everything from the a capella classics to contemporary choral, including pop covers done in a clever way. We want to do stuff that’s fun (see the Nylons) as well as work is compelling and moving (see the Gjeilo). See below for samples and more comments.

Future directions: No idea. Focus is that we are having a ton of fun. We aren’t looking to start the next Mendelsohn club, and want to see what develops.

Current needs: a mix.

If you:

– have a singing background and feel like you could be singing the stuff below
– like the small ensemble oriented vision
– would be up to getting together 2x/month to sing on Tuesday evenings (we are still figuring this out, just the idea we have right now)
– live in west philly, or Fitler Square or the gayborhood (not required, but that’s probably the area where we will be meeting)

Please write to us! Please say a bit about:

– your singing background
– your preferred part/range
– any resources that you might be able to contribute (you play piano and have a little keyboard?great)
– anything else about you
– confirmation that you would be able to make a Tuesday night get together work and see where things go

Now, the samples!

Lullabye, King’s Singers arrangement:

O Nata Lux, Lauridsen:

Silhouettes, arranged by the Nylons

Lux Arumque, Whitacre:

Yesterday, King’s Singers arrangement:

Ubi Caritas, Gjeilo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp63c81go2U

Woods (Bon Iver)

Pentatonix, Gotye:

More about the music:

Yes, we have Whitacre, Bon Iver, Lauridsen, Palestrina, The Nylons, and Pentatonix on the same list. We want to do music that is great to sing and hear, and keep it challenging enough to be interesting, without making it snobby and academic. The focus will be on non-pop ensemble pieces, with only occasional solo-oriented pop pieces (because most pop music covers aren’t all that difficult and bit boring unless you compensate with choreography, which we absolutely will not do). Also, some of the music will be from religious sources, but this isn’t a religious group at all.

Look forward to hearing from you!