If you love Glee and The Voice you might want to check out Sing! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, which kicks off tonight at the Harbourfront Centre. Vocalists from across the globe will be giving workshops and concerts and the festival will close Sunday with a 3,000 person sing-a-long.
Among the acts to watch out for are the Grammy-award-winning group New York Voices (Brigantine Room, Friday April 13, 8 p.m.) and a closing-night performance by British act the Swingle Singers (Enwave Centre, Sunday April 15, 7:30 p.m.). “They’re kind of the veterans of a cappella,” says event co-manager Pat Silver of the group from across the pond.
Opening for the Swingle Singers will be industry newcomers, Countermeasure. Successful crooners, the Nylons (Brigantine Room, Saturday April 14, 8:30 p.m.) even held a YouTube contest where the group hand picked the winner to be their opening act.
Workshops will range from beat boxing 101 to an intro to South Indian music. Music-industry execs will also give seminars on how to make it in the business. All workshops fall into the $25 and under category.
“We’re really trying to educate people on a cappella music,” says Silver. “A cappella is so hot right now, singing has become the hip thing to do.”
Sing! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, Harborfront Centre, 416-973-4000. To April 15.
