Troy, NY — “While Rockapella is a band, complete with bass and percussion, what sets them apart is that they produce all these effects without instruments,†said SEE Magazine. Experience a unique blend of soul, rock, R&B and Jazz as the 5-man a cappella group, Rockapella, performs live at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Sunday, November 5 at 7 p.m.
Rockapella began in 1986 as a hobby for four Brown University graduates. At the same time, they also performed spontaneous doo-wop and barbershop harmonies on Manhattan street corners for spare change. Rockapella soon gained popularity from passers-by and began entertaining for upper class parties. It was during this time that the group began its transformation from traditional to contemporary rock music.
Rockapella spent years crafting a rock focus by creating a cappella renditions of famous songs including “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Treeâ€, “Love Potion #9†and “Papa was a Rolling Stoneâ€. The group had its first big break in 1988 performing on the Regis Philbin Show. Rockapella went on to write for and premier its music on the hit PBS kid’s show, “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiago?†for five consecutive seasons as well as the network’s “Spike & Co.: Do It A Capellaâ€.
In 1992 the group signed with For Life Records, a Japanese record label. After only three record releases, Rockapella became Japan’s best selling new foreign artists. The group released two US records, Primer and Lucky Seven in the mid-90s with various follow-up and holiday albums as well as Video and DVD performances to follow.
Throughout its success, Rockapella has seen many changes. The founding members of the group have retired and been replaced, but the group’s original vision has been maintained. “Soothing the Audience with my voice is my goal,†said Rockapella’s newest member and baritone John Brown. The other group members include: Scott Leonard, high tenor; Kevin Wright, tenor; George Baldi, bass and Jeff Thacher, vocal percussion.
Tickets for Rockapella are $29, $26 and $15 for students, and may be purchased through the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Box Office by calling (518) 273-0038 or online at www.troymusichall.org . The Music Hall Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to the performance. Otherwise, Box Office operations are handled at its business office at 30 Second Street, Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s full season schedule can be viewed at www.troymusichall.org .
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, named a National Historic Landmark in 1989, is in use over one hundred and fifty days a year. Since it opened its doors in 1875, the Hall has hosted performances by numerous world-renowned artists including Marion Anderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Peter Seeger, Ella Fitzgerald, Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, Henri Vieuxtemps, Ignace Jan Paderewski, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jose Iturbi, Vladimir Horowitz, Yehudi Menuhin, and Artur Rubenstein, among many others.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026.
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox.
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities.
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society, the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate.
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
