ICCA Judge Dan Klein
They are often faceless, and often go thankless, but they are some of the most important people off-stage at any a cappella competition. They are the judges.
Certified Varsity Vocals Adjudicator Daniel Klein took the time to answer questions from A Cappella Blog co-founder Mike Chin.
A Cappella Blog (ACB): You are both a Certified Varsity Vocals Adjudicator and the director of In Acchord, a successful professional a cappella group based in Pittsburgh. What led you to a cappella? How did you become familiar with collegiate a cappella?
Daniel Klein (DK): I have been singing since I was 10 years old - so about 40 years - everything from blues to jazz to rock, Appalachian to Balkan to Cajun to Classical to Gospel to Klezmer (and even Opera!). Mostly I sang in choirs and musicals, occasionally with orchestras, and there was a span of 17 years after I graduated college where I only sang for myself. One day a little over 10 years ago, I walked by a sign that said "Bass wanted". I knew nothing about the group - I didn't even know about collegiate-style a cappella - but I auditioned. And then I learned a whole new musical genre, which I am now passionate about!
ACB: How did you go about becoming a Certified Varsity Vocals Adjudicator?
DK: Honestly, I'm not sure I consciously went about it. I was invited (and I'm glad I was!). I guess it was because I had judged other competitions, I sang, directed, and was old enough not to have any bias for any particular school!
ACB: In your opinion, as a judge and as a director, what are the most important elements to a successful a cappella group?
DK: That is a quick question with a long answer. The short answer is "the music". But I promised a long answer...
If I close my eyes, blend matters most. The background singers should be confident and allow the soloist to be heard, but should have a character of their own that fits well with the other background singers. No one part should predominate. Solfege should be consistent amongst parts, and should not be distracting. And VP should enhance the music, not be a distraction (there are exceptions, but they are rare). Know your limits, and work within them. And don't show off - just be the best you can be, and help everyone else be their best, too.
Now if I open my eyes, professionalism matters next. You are on stage - walk out like you own the place (without being cocky) and never look like you're shuffling, slumped, or disorganized. Focus. Fancy moves are fun, but the music matters most, and movement should not distract.
Combining these things, I also respect daring. A group that dares to try something new and does it well is a joy to behold.
Finally, balance. You sing because you love it, but you're on stage because of the audience. Both of you need to enjoy yourselves.
ACB: If you could give one message to collegiate groups that may compete in front of you in the future, what would it be?
DK: Dare to be invisible, and when the music demands it, dare to sing softly. Everyone wants to be a star, but when everyone is trying to be a star, all you see and hear is noise. Be real, be honest, and be true to the music. When everyone supports each other, does their job well, and lets the other guy be the star - that's when the whole group shines!
ACB: What would you rank as the single best collegiate a cappella performance you have seen? What group was it? What made that performance so special?
DK: The Jackson Jills rank high in my memory. They were subtle, well blended, and profound. The soloists owned their solos. And they were innovative - some of their arrangements really made me smile, and at one point, a supporting singer (doing a special effect) turned her back on the audience and sang upstage, and it was the turning away that made the sound really work. They also weren't afraid to use "ugly" sounds to great effect - you can't make an electric guitar sound "sweet", so they didn't try, they just made it real.
ACB: What do you do when you're not judging a competition? What kind of work do you do professionally? What other involvement do you have in the music world?
DK: I'm a computer scientist by profession (teaching, consulting, developing software), but I also am a professional photographer, was a director of an Improv troupe, write short fiction and non-fiction (and blog for Pittsburgh Opera), and am a docent at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.
ACB: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of The A Cappella Blog?
Heh! Look at my web pages (http://www.klein.com/). It's all there!