SoCal VoCals

SoCal VoCals
Origin	Los Angeles, California
Genres	a cappella
Years active	1995-present
Website	http://www.scvocals.com

The SoCal VoCals (abbreviation: "the VoCals") are the first of seven^[1] a cappella groups from the University of Southern California. Founded in 1996, this award-winning group comprises between 13 and 19 male and female students^[2] who arrange and sing songs from multiple genres, including pop, rock, and jazz. The group, which has released six albums, uses no instruments—only vocal percussion and voices. In 1997, they took first place at USC's Songfest.^[3]

The members of the VoCals are hired to perform at numerous gigs each year; past performance venues include the Staples Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles House of Blues, and the Getty Center. Nicknamed "a party on stage,"^[4] the SoCal VoCals are known for their engaging performance style and school spirit (they are the only USC a cappella group to perform a rendition of the University's Alma Mater).^[5]

The group frequently participates in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. In 2008, they took first place at New York City's Lincoln Center as the Grand Champions.^[6] The next morning, they were featured on The Today Show.^[7]

In November, 2009, two current members of the USC SoCal VoCals joined with six VoCal alumni to compete as "The SoCals" on NBC's first a cappella competition, The Sing-Off.^[8]

In April, 2010, the SoCal VoCals returned to the Lincoln Center and reclaimed the ICCA title, making them only one of two groups to win that title more than once.

== In November 2009, one current member of the SoCal VoCals joined with seven alumni to compete as "The SoCals" on NBC's first a cappella competition, The Sing-Off.^[9]

Performances & Results

Episode/Theme	Song choice	Original artist	Result
Premiere	"Somebody to Love"	Queen	Advanced
Big Hits	"Already Gone"	Kelly Clarkson	Advanced
Guilty Pleasures	"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"	Starship	Advanced
Superstar Medley	Various	Journey	Advanced
Judge's choice	"Hazy Shade of Winter"	Simon & Garfunkel	Eliminated

Recordings

The VoCals have released 6 (5 award-winning) albums, "This Ain't No Choir, Babe," "This 2 Shall Rock," "V3: Previously Unreleased," "The SoCal VoCals," "Get In. ROCK. Get Out." and their most recent album released in March, 2009, "Unanimous". They have also released an EP consisting of their winning 3 song set from the 2010 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella.

2010 ICCA Set EP

• "God Bless The Child" (Billie Holiday)
• "Crazy Ever After" (The Rescues)
• "Living For The City" (Stevie Wonder)

Unanimous

• "Misery Business" (Paramore)
• "Movin' On" (Elliott Yamin)
• "Crazy Ever After" (The Rescues)
• "Feeling Good" (Michael Bublé)
• "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin)
• "Another White Dash" (Butterfly Boucher)
• "Falling Slowly" (Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová)
• "Save Me" (Marc Broussard)
• "Thinking of You" (Katy Perry)
• "Somebody to Love" (Queen)
• "All the Things You Are" (Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein)

Get In. ROCK. Get Out.

• "When I Get You Alone" (Thicke)
• "Alone" (Heart)
• "Love You Madly" (Cake)
• "Love Potion #9" (The Coasters)
• "Don't Stop Believin'" (Journey)
• "Eye in the Sky" (As performed by Gabriel Mann)
• "Since U Been Gone" (Kelly Clarkson)
• "The Styx Medley" (Styx)
• "Cold-Hearted Snake" (Paula Abdul)
• "Alma Tusk (Live)" (Fleetwood Mac)

The SoCal VoCals

• "Underground" (Ben Folds Five)
• "18 Wheeler" (Pink)
• "Slumber" (Gabriel Mann)
• "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye)
• "Today" (The Smashing Pumpkins)
• "Grey Sky Morning (Best I Ever Had)" (Vertical Horizon)
• "Delicious Surprise" (Beth Hart)
• "Don't Worry Baby" (The Beach Boys)
• "Fire In Your Hand" (Gabriel Mann)
• "This Love" (Maroon 5)
• "I Feel The Earth Move" (Carole King)
• "Cherry Lips" (Garbage)
• "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" (Elton John)
• "Pinball Wizard" (The Who)

V3: Previously Unreleased

• "Drive Me Crazy" (Julie Moffitt)
• "Dirt Road" (Gabriel Mann)
• "Otherside" (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• "Leavin' On a Jet Plane" (Chantal Kreviazuk)
• "Breathe" (Faith Hill)
• "Motorcycle Drive-By" (Third Eye Blind)
• "Power of Funk (Power of Love)" (Huey Lewis)
• "To the Wire" (Gabriel Mann)
• "I'm the Only One" (Melissa Etheridge)
• "Only You" (Yaz)
• "Insomniac" (Billy Pilgrim)
• "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Bonnie Tyler)

This 2 Shall Rock

• "Torn" (Natalie Imbruglia)
• "Dreams" (The Corrs)
• "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)" (The Four Seasons)
• "In Another's Eyes" (Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood)
• "Son of a Preacher Man" (Dusty Springfield)
• "Everywhere" (Fleetwood Mac)
• "Hazy Shade of Winter" (The Bangles)
• "I Will Remember You" (Sarah McLachlan)
• "Take On Me" (a-ha)
• "One Week" (Barenaked Ladies)
• "Dreams (Crystal Version Remix)" (The Corrs)
• "The Impression That I Get" (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones)
• "Footloose Medley"
• "Alma Mater/Tusk" (Fleetwood Mac)

This Ain't No Choir, Babe

• "Love Fool" (The Cardigans)
• "Today" (The Smashing Pumpkins)
• "The Tide Is High" (Blondie)
• "Hooked On a Feeling" (Blue Swede)
• "In the Still of the Night" (The Five Satins)
• "Just a Girl" (No Doubt)
• "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Bonnie Tyler)
• "Come on Eileen" (Dexys Midnight Runners)
• "Ironic" (Alanis Morissette)
• "Always Be My Baby" (Mariah Carey)
• "Alma Mater/Tusk" (Fleetwood Mac)

External links

• Official website

References

1. ^ Chard, Tea. "Sounds on Campus: Two radio stations, a capella groups and more aim to please Trojan ears." Daily Trojan. 16 Aug 2006: A5.
2. ^ Lin, Judy. "A capella groups attract growing interest." Daily Trojan. 5 Dec. 1997: A1.
3. ^ Tang, Lay. "SoCal VoCals win first at 44th Annual Songfest." Daily Trojan. 14 Apr. 1997: A1-2.
4. ^ Deelstra, Jacqueline. "USC's A Cappella Explosion." Daily Trojan. 4 Nov. 2002: A7-8.
5. ^ Deelstra, Jacqueline. "USC's A Cappella Explosion." Daily Trojan. 4 Nov. 2002: A7-8.
6. ^ Payson-Lewis, Dan. "My Real Hollywood Ending." Newsweek. 9 Aug. 2008: 32.
7. ^ Dailo, Nicole. "SoCal VoCals take top a cappella title." Daily Trojan. 21 Apr 2008: A1.
8. ^ www.nbc.com/sing-off/ 23 Nov 2009
9. ^ www.nbc.com/sing-off/ 23 Nov 2009