Are A Cappella Groups Recording?

In the fall of 2010, The A Cappella Blog invited every collegiate a cappella group we could find to participate in a survey. Our objective was to develop a better understanding of current trends in a cappella—what groups are or are not doing and to what degree.

Over 300 groups from across the US and abroad responded to the survey. Throughout our 2010 publication season, we will share results from this survey and talk about what our findings mean. We welcome and encourage groups to look over the information to learn, to benchmark and to satisfy their own curiosity.

This edition’s question: How many CDs has your group recorded in the last four years?

Of the groups surveyed, over 80 percent had recorded at least one CD in the last four years, and nearly half had recorded more than one. So what does this mean? Today’s collegiate a cappella groups are recording.

This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise. As recording technology and develops and becomes more accessible, and the internet makes the world smaller, it’s easier and cheaper to record a CD than ever before. And while professional producers and studios are doing well, groups that operate on a budget have more do-it-yourself options than they have in the past. Moreover, the marketplace to sell recordings has only grown.

All of this is good news for the a cappella consumer. There’s a wider selection of recordings to choose from and with today’s equipment and editing software, the prospect of a bunch of amateurs singing into a computer mic doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to end up with atrocious sound quality.

For a cappella groups, the figures here suggest a need to innovate and excel. When this many groups are putting out this many CDs, groups have to ask themselves how their recordings are going to be different. How will they establish an identity through song selection? Is it going to be worthwhile to shell out for an established name like Bill Hare to manage the recording process? What will or will not translate from live performance to a recording studio?

Of course, not every group is driven by CD sales or CARA nominations. A lot of groups just want to put together a “yearbook” album to commemorate a year of good friendships and good music.

Whatever the purpose, CD recording is most definitely on the rise.