| SoCal VoCals | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | a cappella |
| Years active | 1995-present |
| Website | http://www.scvocals.com |
The SoCal VoCals (abbreviation: "the VoCals") are the first of seven[1] a cappella groups from the University of Southern California. Founded in 1996, this award-winning group comprises between 13 and 19 male and female students[2] who arrange and sing songs from multiple genres, including pop, rock, and jazz. The group, which has released six albums, uses no instruments—only vocal percussion and voices. In 1997, they took first place at USC's Songfest.[3]
The members of the VoCals are hired to perform at numerous gigs each year; past performance venues include the Staples Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles House of Blues, and the Getty Center. Nicknamed "a party on stage,"[4] the SoCal VoCals are known for their engaging performance style and school spirit (they are the only USC a cappella group to perform a rendition of the University's Alma Mater).[5]
The group frequently participates in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. In 2008, they took first place at New York City's Lincoln Center as the Grand Champions.[6] The next morning, they were featured on The Today Show.[7]
In November, 2009, two current members of the USC SoCal VoCals joined with six VoCal alumni to compete as "The SoCals" on NBC's first a cappella competition, The Sing-Off.[8]
In April, 2010, the SoCal VoCals returned to the Lincoln Center and reclaimed the ICCA title, making them only one of two groups to win that title more than once.
== In November 2009, one current member of the SoCal VoCals joined with seven alumni to compete as "The SoCals" on NBC's first a cappella competition, The Sing-Off.[9]
== In 2011 Scott Hoying, a current member of the SoCal VoCals, lead a team of five people to win NBC's third season of "The Sing-Off" as Pentatonix.
Contents |
| Episode/Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere | "Somebody to Love" | Queen | Advanced |
| Big Hits | "Already Gone" | Kelly Clarkson | Advanced |
| Guilty Pleasures | "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" | Starship | Advanced |
| Superstar Medley | Various | Journey | Advanced |
| Judge's choice | "Hazy Shade of Winter" | Simon & Garfunkel | Eliminated |
The VoCals have released 6 (5 award-winning) albums, "This Ain't No Choir, Babe," "This 2 Shall Rock," "V3: Previously Unreleased," "The SoCal VoCals," "Get In. ROCK. Get Out." and their most recent album released in March, 2009, "Unanimous". They have also released an EP consisting of their winning 3 song set from the 2010 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella.