So you want to set up your own a cappella group? Fantastic!
UKACS is here to give you the step-by-step guide of what you’ll need to consider when starting your own group.
The Group’s Purpose
The first thing to think about is your group’s purpose - but what do we mean by that? Well, are you looking for a high-level group of experienced singers who will take part in competitions? Are you looking for something much more low-commitment for friends in the local area to socialise whilst doing something they love? Or something in the middle? Whatever you’re looking for, it matters that you set out this purpose very early on - it should be one of the first things you consider, as it will affect every other decision you make from here on out!
The Group’s Structure
You’ve decided on your group’s purpose, so now you need to figure out who’s going to be a part of your group! But we’re not talking auditions yet - we’re thinking structure. Are you looking for a larger ensemble with multiple people singing each part? Would you like a smaller group who are each responsible for their own line? Would you like to focus on upper voices, lower voices or a mixed group? Would you like to have a beatboxer or just pure vocals? All of these things will make a huge difference to your group’s sound, image, and style, so it’s very important to create a plan before you start to audition.
That’s not to say that your group structure can’t change later down the line, but it’s always good to start with a plan in mind and adapt as and when necessary.
Here are some combinations to consider when setting out a structure. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to begin if you’re not sure about which voice parts to audition for:
Upper Voices
Soprano 1 / Soprano 2
Alto 1 / Alto 2
Bass
Lower Voices
Tenor 1 / Tenor 2
Baritone 1 / Baritone 2
Bass
Mixed Voices
Soprano 1 / Soprano 2
Alto 1 / Alto 2
Tenor 1 / Tenor 2
Baritone
Bass
Vocal Percussion
Management & Organisation
A part of the structure to consider alongside the performers is the management of the group. You’ll always need a Musical Director who will come up with arrangements and run the rehearsals, but depending on how you’d like to run your group, you may need a Creative Director, Choreographer, Group Manager, Concerts Manager, Secretary, Treasurer etc. Have a think about how your management team or organisational team should be structured, and you can come up with a plan that will suit your needs.
Arrangements
You’ve decided on the group’s purpose and the structure of the group, so now it’s time to get down to the fun part - choosing what to sing! Although it’s always great to get input from your performers and wait to see what their voices sound like before truly settling on the style of your group, it’s essential to begin with a few arrangements so that your performers can get to work on some music straight away.
You can find free arrangements on the UKACS Resources page if you’re looking to get started quickly, but we also have resources that teach you how to arrange if you’re looking to learn the skill yourself and provide your own personalised arrangements for your group. If you’ve got some funds set aside, you can even buy arrangements (pre-written or custom) from professional arrangers, so check out our Arranger’s Database if that’s an option for you.
Auditions
It’s time to recruit singers for your brand new a cappella group! Choose a venue and make sure you have a piano, guitar, or phone handy so that you can go through some aural tests with your singers during the auditions.
Make sure you’ve set out the aim of the group clearly on your audition advert so that people know what kind of commitment you’ll be expecting from them. If you can, it’s great to let them know which days and times you plan to rehearse so that they can make sure it fits in with their schedule.
Depending on what you would like to hear from your singers, you can structure the auditions in different ways, but we can recommend some standard items to include in an audition:
Preparing 2 contrasting songs (one to show off their singing skill and one to show off their personality)
Singing through scales to test out their range
Aural tests (listening and repeating back)
Any other skills (e.g. beatboxing, dancing etc.)
Check out our other resource on how to run inclusive auditions that encourage diversity.
And that’s the end of part 1! Check out part 2 for more guidance on how to run your a cappella group from the first rehearsal onward! We’ll cover:
How to run rehearsals + how to be a successful MD
Getting gigs and booking venues
How to market your group and create online content
Getting ready for your first performance
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