Books

In this highly anticipated sequel to A Cappella Arranging, Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell provide even more tools and insights to help musicians master the craft of a cappella arranging—including new creative principles and theoretical techniques to expand the palate, as well as arranging in various musical genres spanning several decades of music.

Since the publication of the original book in 2012, a cappella as a genre has grown enormously. Using conversational yet instructive tone, A Cappella Arranging 2.0: The Next Level picks up where the previous book left off, helping people deepen their a cappella arranging skills. In four parts, the book addresses a variety of topics including:

The creative process
An advanced understanding of vocal ranges
Counterpoint and polyphony
Harmonic concepts and techniques
Arranging for the studio
Live looping arrangements
Instrumental idioms
Arranging in different styles, including world styles
Medleys and mashups
This is the perfect resource for taking your a cappella arrangements to the next level.

30% internationally (!) if you use code “4S24ACAPELLA” at checkout.

Teaching Music through Performance in Contemporary A cappella is the essential book for a cappella repertoire and rehearsal techniques, compiled and edited by educators and leaders committed to demystifying the genre and providing teachers with access to the best repertoire and pedagogy possible. Built on the model of the best-selling Teaching Music through Performance series, this volume includes chapters on the most important issues in teaching and learning contemporary a cappella, and analysis and insights for 82 works across genres: Barbershop, Contemporary A cappella, Doo-wop, Folk/Classical, Vocal Jazz. The list of composers and arrangers is diverse; the repertoire includes both arrangements and original compositions. Each selection is representative of a major a cappella trend or historical event, such as repertoire from The Sing-Off, Pitch Perfect, The Real Group, Sweet Adelines, or Pentatonix. Of course, every selection regardless of musical style is performed a cappella. The authors also develop a five-point difficulty scale for evaluating literature, and each guide contains detailed information about the arrangement or composition, including where the arrangement was first performed, the history of the original song, and the styles it represents. In creating the Teacher Resource Guides, the authors enlist the help of a cappella educators, arrangers, engineers, performers, and well-established experts. Each Guide also includes a new section called Educational Extensions, which provides suggestions on how to utilize the repertoire for extended classroom lessons, both as part of the rehearsal and part of a general music classroom. Chapter topics include A Cappella: An Overview by Marc Silverberg; Emotional Expression in Group Singing by Deke Sharon and J.D. Frizzell; Teaching Singers to Sing in All Styles: The Spectrum Method by Erin Hackel, and Lessons You Can Learn from Competing, by Ben Spalding. There is simply no better way to find and prepare the best contemporary a cappella literature available for achieving excellence in music education at all levels. Teaching Music through Performance in Contempory A cappella is a groundbreaking volume destined to make a significant contribution.

More than any other person, Deke Sharon is responsible for the current success of pop a cappella. Founder of the House Jacks (the original “rock band without instruments”), Deke continues to influence through his work with The Sing-Off, Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect 2, and Vocalosity. Combine Deke’s expertise with that of directors Ben Spalding and Brody McDonald, add a foreword by Ben Folds, throw in advice from contributors like Peter Hollens, and you have the most comprehensive volume ever created on the subject of contemporary a cappella singing. Sections include: Setting the Stage * Getting the Band Together * Arranging * Preparing * Technology * Making a Name * and more. 404 pages.

Most choirs spend their rehearsal time focusing on notes, rhythms, and precision. They rarely, if ever, discuss a song’s meaning and feeling, even though those elements are precisely what draws people to the music in the first place. Thousands of books have been written about choral technique, teaching people how to sing technically well. What sets The Heart of Vocal Harmony apart is its focus on honest unified expression and the process of delivering an emotionally compelling performance. It delves into an underdeveloped vocal topic the heart of the music and the process involved with expressing it. The Heart of Vocal Harmony is not just for a cappella groups it is also for vocal harmony groups, ensembles, and choirs at all levels, with or without instruments. In addition to the process, the book features discussions with some of the biggest luminaries in vocal harmony: composers, arrangers, directors, singers, and groups including Eric Whitacre, Pentatonix, the Manhattan Transfer, and more!

From amateur collegiate a cappella groups to professional ensembles like Straight No Chaser and Pentatonix, contemporary a cappella has exploded onto the world pop music scene. In So You Want to Sing A Cappella, Deke Sharon combines historical context and a comprehensive look at the a cappella community with a detailed discussion of vocal techniques, rehearsal practices, and live audio support needed to sing great a cappella. Additional contributed chapters examine singing and voice science, vocal health, vocal percussion, and audio technology. The So You Want to Sing series is produced in partnership with the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and each book features online supplemental material on the NATS website. Please visit www.nats.org to access style-specific exercises, audio and video files, and additional resources.

What choral conductor or soloist has not looked around for new ideas for warming up the voice? Here are over 39 creative exercises which do more than just warm up the voice: they help to relax the body, train the ear and develop an awareness of dynamics and rhythm. Two top authors, Deke Sharon and J.D. Frizzell, have provided a wide array of warm ups specifically designed for pop and jazz choirs but these warm ups will work well for contemporary a cappella groups of all sizes and styles. Every vocal ensemble has its strengths and weaknesses which vary from year to year. The warmups within can to help polish your weak spots and hone your strengths. Regardless of your group s strengths, this book is can help you address the full range of skills required for great music-making. Topics include: Rhythm, Syllables, Tone, Intervals, Dynamics, Intonation, Blend, Balance, Pitch, Improvisation, Solo Techniques, and Vocal Percussion.

The world loves to sing. From barbershop groups to madrigal choirs to vocal rock bands, there are tens of thousands of vocal groups in America. The success of mainstream television programs such as Glee and The Sing-Off not only demonstrates the rising popularity of vocal music; it reflects how current trends inspire others to join in. In addition, through various online and on-the-ground vocal music societies, the “a cappella market” is well defined and well connected. Like singing itself, a cappella is a global phenomenon.

At the heart of every vocal group is the music it performs. This often means writing its own arrangements of popular or traditional songs. This book is the long-awaited definitive work on the subject, wide ranging both in its scope and in its target audience – which spans beginners, music students, and community groups to professional and semi-professional performers, vocal/instrumental songwriters, composers, and producers – providing genre-specific insight on a cappella writing.

The tone of the book is instructive and informative, yet conversational: it is intended to stand alongside any academic publication while remaining interesting and fun. A Cappella Arranging is a good textbook – and a “good read” – for every vocal arranger, whether amateur or professional; every vocal music classroom, and any professional recording studio.