SpringSing

The second annual SpringSing a cappella event is right around the corner. Event organizer Robert Burns, II took the time to answer questions from The A Cappella Blog.

The A Cappella Blog (ACB): One of the featured events of SpringSing is the collegiate competition. How many groups do you expect to participate this year? Who are the judges, and on what basis will they be selecting winners? What is at stake?

Robert Burns, II (RB): At this time, six collegiate groups are expected to participate. Groups will be from James Madison University, Georgia Tech, Florida, State and The University of Georgia. Judges include a representative from each of the professional performing groups as well as at least one judge from the Contemporary A cappella Society. Groups compete for a variety of prizes including a 1st Place trophy and cash prize of $500. There are other trophies and awards for 2nd and 3rd place, as well as certificates for excellence in any number of areas (i.e. best choreography, song Arrangement, etc.).

ACB: What professional groups can attendees expect to see on Friday night?

RB: Attendees can expect an A-list of professional performers in Friday night’s Benefit Concert. Here are just a few: Business as Usual, Duwende, Almost Recess, and Ahmir.

ACB: What can attendees expect from the workshops and masterclasses?

RB: The Saturday workshops and masterclasses are intended to provide professional training on a variety of topics related to a cappella (and the music business in general). Attendees have the opportunity to learn from the pros about nearly any topic of their choice, from garnering publicity for their newly formed a cappella group, to enhancing their on-stage performance skills. SpringSing Weekend will feature more than a dozen workshops and masterclasses, all listed on our website.

ACB: SpringSing is a product of the hard work of Team Burns, an organization that raises money to benefit the American Cancer Society. What can you tell us about this group’s history? Why did the group choose to have an a cappella-centric event as one of its primary fundraisers?

RB: Team Burns was the brainchild of a group of caring individuals in our community who had a personal relationship with our family. Upon the passing of Ted Burns, the group devoted itself to raising money for the ACS. A concert of any other nature had already been done so we thought outside the box. It began as a smaller event but once we started inviting groups to participate it just grew on it's own and the more people hear about it, the more that want to be involved. It is for a good cause and most people involved have lost a very close family member of friend so each person has their own reason for making it happen. As for why a cappella, we are already involved with the UGA Accidentals so it made sense to involve them.

Of course, we also do traditional things like Relay For Life each year, bake sales and general fundraisers, but this is the largest and most involved of the projects we are involved in.

Our team is very diverse and because of this each person brings something different and wonderful to the collective body. We have about 25 members who all work year-round to make our activities happen with a unique style and Team Burns flare.

ACB: For how long has the SpringSing event been going on? Based on past history what might surprise newcomers to the event?

RB: This will be the second annual “SpringSing: Voices United For a Cure” and what might surprise newcomers is simply the music. Of course we work hard to make this event a cut above the standard shows, as we have selected a state of the art facility to host the show. We have invited the best talent from various parts of the country, and we have done a lot of things to make this event a classy family event. A place where a son can surprise his mother with tickets, or a bunch of guys could decide to go for the night or a couple co-workers can go for fun and then have a bite to eat after. Most importantly, however, it is the music. It is important for someone new to a cappella to realize that there is not just one sound to a cappella music. A cappella can be R&B, country, jazz, barbershop quartet, gospel or a multitude of other genres. We feel it is our job to find something new to bring to our listeners each year so no one will be able to say that the show is the same from year to year. We want people to be excited about the new music they hear each time along with their old standbys.

ACB: Is there anything else you would like for the A Cappella Blog readers to know?

RB: A cappella music is everywhere and not something foreign or unknown. Every time they listen to the National Anthem at a baseball game, they are listening to a cappella music. By coming to SpringSing each year, they are introduced to their favorite songs by extraordinary voices without instruments so the sound is pure and very easy to enjoy. In our shows there is something for everyone and that is on purpose.

You can learn more about SpringSing at the official website here.