Empowering Singers with

Contemporary A Cappella
Matt Woodward, MacArthur HS
Featuring PFC

1) Where to Find Arrangements

a) Hal Leonard
i) Deke Sharon, Rob Dietz, Ben Bram
ii) Pentatonix, Glee, Straight No Chaser
b) Sheet Music Plus
i) Over 1200 search results for “contemporary a cappella”
c) Custom Arrangers
i) See the list of my favorite arrangers.
d) Sample Arrangements - Donated by the arrangers!
i) Put Your Records On - Deke Sharon
ii) Jolene - Rob Dietz
iii) Awake My Soul - Tom Anderson
iv) Stay - Ben Bram
v) I See Fire - Matt Woodward
vi) tinyurl.com/TCDAacappella
2) Improvise a song
a) Two Methods - Circle Jam and Freeform Jam
i) Use these two methods to create your own chart!
b) To create your own arrangement, start with a simple song
c) Discuss and identify form and instrumentation
d) Play the song in small chunks
i) Sing what you hear!
ii) Gradually, fade out the original.
e) Use “oo”, “oh” and “ah” for natural dynamics.
i) Use “d” or “th” for onset.
f) Remember, if you don’t like it, CHANGE IT.
3) Vocal Percussion
a) Boots n Cats
b) Basic Kit is all you need!
i) Rock/Country - B t k t
ii) Groove - B t t B ksh t t B
c) Breathe within the beat!
i) B t t B (ksh) t t B
d) Transitions/Fills
i) Jet Pack - sh
ii) Barack Obama
4) Teaching Contemporary A cappella
a) You can do these songs with any of your groups!
b) Treat them like “real” choral music!
i) Solfege, tall vowels, blend, balance, dynamics, etc…
c) Bring it to Contest!
i) Some of these could be a UIL choice piece!
d) It will boost recruitment!!!
e) Bring in a clinician! These folks are all in Texas!
i) Ben Stevens - b.eldon.stevens@gmail.com
ii) Jo Vinson - johannavinson@gmail.com
iii) Pearce Illmer - pearce@thevocalcompany.com
5) Resources
a) A cappella Education Association (AEA)
i) acappellaeducators.com
b) Contemporary A cappella Society (CASA)
i) casa.org
c) The Vocal Company
i) thevocalcompany.com
d) Varsity Vocals
i) varsityvocals.com
e) Books by Deke Sharon or Brody McDonald
6) Want me to help you? Arrangements, Choreo, Advice, Whatever!
Email me! mwoodw@neisd.net or mwoodward710@yahoo.com
Custom Arrangers That I Like
Tom Anderson - www.random-notes.com
Deke Sharon - www.dekesharon.com
Rob Dietz - www.human-feedback.com
Ben Bram - www.thebenbram.com
Nick Girard - www.nickgirard.com
Clare Wheeler Girard - clare@clarewheeler.co.uk
Kari Francis - http://acapellaprofessor.com
Bri Holland - www.briholland.com
Pearce Illmer - pearce@thevocalcompany.com
Jo Vinson - www.johannavinson.com
Chris Diaz - www.heychristopher.com
Nicholas Wright - www.acappellapsych.com

High School Groups to Watch

Oakland School for the Arts - Vocal Rush
Centerville High School - Forte
Cypress Lake Center for the Arts - TAG
White Station High School - Key of She
Northern Highlands High School - Highlands Voices
Briarcrest Christian School - One Voice
Port Washington High School - Limited Edition
Madison High School - Madison Avenue
Rockwall High School - Walk the Line
Marcus High School - Fusion

Professional Groups to Watch That Aren’t Pentatonix

House Jacks Cluster Take 6 Duwende
Musae Swingles Rajaton Club for Five
VoicePlay FORK Bobby McFerrin Peter Hollens
Level Dakaboom Arora Mix
Naturally 7 Transit Boxettes Traces
The Exchange Committed Vocalight Honey Whiskey Trio