Press Release Archives

BATTLE OF THE BLENDS RETURNS TO THE FRANCO

On Saturday, November 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in the Franco-American Heritage Center, Battle of the Blends, Lewiston’s stand-out a cappella evening, commences as six marvelous vocal groups sing out with glorious harmonies. The annual fund-raiser to benefit the Maine Music Society welcomes the Boston Jazz Voices, Downtown Crossing, Fretless, The Maine Steiners, The Royal River Chorus, and Undertone.

Boston Jazz Voices, founded in the 1980’s, originally sang arrangements written by Gene Puerling, who sang with the Hi-Lo’s, an all male close-harmony group from the 1950’s and 60’s. With an extended repertoire including other published and original arrangements, Boston Jazz Voices performs songs from the American songbook with jazz harmonies and swing rhythms throughout New England. Also they have performed in Paris, France and live on 88.9 WERS Boston.

Also from Boston, Downtown Crossing (DTX) is a well-established vocal band specialising in original songs and innovative, high-energy covers of alternative, modern rock, and rhythm and blues tunes. DTX is proud to be considered a mainstay of the dynamic Boston a cappella scene.

Fretless weaves the soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass voices of five accomplished performers into a tapestry of lush harmonies and fascinating lyrics. Their repertoire includes an adventurous mix of lively pop songs, Broadway classics, demanding classical works, and off-beat selections from the great American songbook.

The University of Maine’s oldest a cappella group, the Maine Steiners started in the 1950’s and are a 10-man group that has won international acclaim. They have produced more than six CD’s. They have traveled across the globe as far as Budapest and Venice promoting a cappella music. Most of the time they sing for high schools in New England to encourage music in the schools. With tight harmonies and a diverse repertoire, they have thrilled audiences world-wide.

The Royal River Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, the world’s largest music education association for women singers. Sweet Adelines is dedicated to the promotion of a cappella, four-part harmony in the barbershop style, an original American art form. The organization has over 30,000 members worldwide. The Royal River Chapter was chartered in Yarmouth in 1983 by twelve experienced Sweet Adelines. In recent years the chorus has maintained standings within the top five at the annual Region One competition in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Undertone is a dynamic addition to Boston’s semi-pro a cappella scene, with its assortment of alumni from different college groups in the area. As they broke into the real world, they realized that careers such as information technology and investment banking didn’t offer opportunities to fulfill their rock star fantasies. Hence the birth of Undertone in 2004. Their repertoire consists of random songs that pop into Niel and Eric’s heads, which usually include current and old school Pop, Rock and R&B. Undertone’s fresh sound has been permeating Greater Boston from street corners to area middle schools and colleges to the bars of Boston and Cambridge.

The 14th annual Battle of the Blends is sponsored by Encompass Marketing and Design, TD Banknorth Wealth Management Group as well as season Underwriters Austin Associates, EZ 1240, Liberty Mutual and Rowe Auburn. Tickets are $20 and are available through L/A Arts at 782-7228. For more information, please call the Maine Music Society at 782-1403 .
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