THE RetroBeats, a vocal ensemble from Thomas More College, sang their hearts out and their vocal talents landed them first place in an acapella singing competition at St Conrad’s College in Klerksdorp.
The competition was named In the Spirit of Pitch Perfect and all participating groups had to develop a choreographed song medley. The medleys had to range between eight and 14 minutes in length and all of the sounds used in the piece was voice or body generated. The songs chosen by each participating group had to fall into one of five different categories and The RetroBeats chose the ‘Hollywood and Broadway’ category. Their set list included the songs: Holding Out for a Hero, We Built This City, Seasons of Love and Hit Me with Your Best Shot.
The RetroBeats, which has been an official vocal group in Thomas More College since January 2013, currently consists of 11 members from Grade 9 to 11 and is managed by two staff members. The group put many long hours during term time, as well as during the school holidays, into preparing for this competition and the vocal arrangements in their song medley were developed by the group members themselves.
The acapella competition was judged by three experienced adjudicators: Yvonne van Deventer, Juan Enslen and Brian Kenneth. They assessed the vocal performance, choreography and uniform of each group. In every category of assessment, the RetroBeats scored above 85 per cent and received complimentary comments from each of the judges. Aspects that were highlighted by the judges were their energy, the quality of each member’s voice, their vocal harmonies and key change, the tightness of their powerful choreography and simple but effective outfits.
The group is ecstatic about their achievement at this competition. Through the months of preparation they have seen themselves grow from strength to strength in their technical vocal ability, their musical creativity as well as their ability to perform on stage.
