A critically-acclaimed a capella group, Voctave, is bringing a festive performance to Michigan State University’s Wharton Center on Dec. 12 with a one-night holiday show.
The show coincides with the group’s release of their second holiday album, “It Feels Like Christmas.” Voctave’s lead composer, Jamey Ray, said the album and show attempts to combine the old and new of seasonal music.
“At Christmas time, there's a certain sound that people listen for,” Ray said. “ Our goal is to make people laugh and to make people cry and everything in between, which is not completely normal for every a cappella show.”
Ray said Voctave’s current tour is bringing the group "back to their roots."
“What’s funny, is that our very first concert that we ever had was a Christmas concert,” Ray said. “We stuck with that tour for a few years because it’s hard to come up with an entire new Christmas show.”
He added that long-time listeners will love their set. Many Voctave fans came to discover the group from individual viral videos or specific songs they've heard online, he said, so when people come to their show, it's an experience.
Voctave was created after Ray’s a cappella arrangements of Disney songs went viral in 2014. Since then, the 11-member group has received over 150 million views on Youtube and recorded 8 albums of Disney songs, Broadway tunes and Christmas medleys.
After Voctave’s concert performance, the ensemble will have an open conversation with audience members to answer questions about their work.
“It's something that we wouldn't be able to recreate in a video on YouTube,” Ray said. “We want to have something special for the people who buy a ticket and come to our show that they're only going to get to experience in person.”
“Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas” premieres at MSU's Wharton Center on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
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