Sing: Ultimate A Cappella concludes tonight on Sky 1 but what’s it all about?
The new singing competition is here and from the expert judges to the contestants, here’s all you need to know…
Sing: Ultimate A Cappella start time
Sing: Ultimate A Cappella continues TONIGHT at 9PM on Friday, November 10 on Sky 1.
Taking to the stage at London’s Troxy, 30 groups will use beatboxing, harmonies, choreography and more to create jaw-dropping interpretations of songs by artists from Bowie to the Backstreet Boys, all in the hope of winning the chance to record an album at the famous Abbey Road Studios.
Hosted by Cat Deeley, Sky 1 says the show is the UK’s first truly vocals-only entertainment show, filmed like a real-life a cappella competition.
The contestants will be joined by house group The Sons of Pitches who chime in with a cappella interludes and performances alongside guest artists including The Vamps and Midge Ure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHwiBRpHN48
The judges
The Sing: Ultimate A Cappella judges are experts in their field and will be looking for the groups to deliver knockout routines bursting with originality, accuracy, emotion and, of course, great vocals.
Each judge will award marks out of 10 in four different categories: vocals, musicality, interpretation and performance.
Joanna L’Estrange – An arranger, lyricist, choral conductor and adjudicator, Joanna has worked for BBC Choir of the Year and judged the International A Cappella Contest.
Ben Sawyer – Ben is a founder member of international award-winning a cappella group The Songmen, as well as their principal arranger, composer and countertenor.
Rachel Mason – An award-winning songwriter, vocal teacher and performer, Rachel is a founder member and musical director of the UK’s top show choir Euphoria. She has also judged a number of vocal contests, including Voice Festival UK.
Carol Pemberton MBE – Carol founded a cappella quintet Black Voices 30 years ago and was awarded an MBE in 2014 for her services to music. She is now the group’s musical director, as well as singing bass.
Aaron Lee Lambert – Aaron is a West End star, musical director and vocal coach. He is currently featuring in the UK tour of Sister Act and judged the Masters of Show Choir competition in 2013.
How it works
Across the the first six weeks, the heats will see 5 new groups each week competing to make the final.
In the heats, the contestants will take part in a series of rounds which groups being eliminated at every stage.
Contestants will first sing a medley of two songs before putting their twist on a classic hit by an iconic artist.
In the third round, the remaining groups will perform a showstopper number in a bid to row the judges and land a place in the final.
In the seventh and final week, the victors in all six heats will face off in the final and fight it out for glory and the grand prize: the chance to record an album at the world famous Abbey Road Studios and release a single in time for Christmas.
Contestants
After six heats, the finalists have been revealed.
They are SEMI-TONED, THE GOLD VOCAL COLLECTIVE, VADÉ, TIMELESS, THE OXFORD COMMAS and BCGC SEVEN.
One of them will be crowned the winner in the final tonight.
Sing: Ultimate A Cappella airs Friday night at 9PM on November 10.
