Audio clip
Phillip Nitz
Less than three years after Lee University alumnus Phil Stacey sang his way into the finals of "American Idol," singers from Lee will again receive national attention on a reality television talent contest.
The Voices of Lee is one of eight vocal groups chosen through nationwide auditions to compete in "The Sing-Off." The week-long television competition is a search for the best a cappella ensemble in the country.
"The Sing-Off" will air Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 14-16, at 8 p.m. on NBC, with a live grand finale on Monday, Dec. 21. The show will be hosted by multiplatinum recording star Nick Lachey.
A cappella competition reveals an ensemble's true skill, exposing pitch-perfection and lush harmonies. There is no pianist, no back-up band, no lip-synching.
It's singing without a safety net.
Phillip Nitz, a Lee senior and member of Voices of Lee, believes his ensemble's edge will be "our big, thick sound with a lot of emotion."
"A lot of a cappella music has beat-boxing, vocal percussion; it's based more on rock 'n' roll sound and not so much harmony," said Mr. Nitz.
"Our sound is 'vocal orchestra.' Instead of voice parts mimicking a guitar or drum set, we mimic violins, flutes or trumpets, so we have a big sound. Our harmony is so rich, you don't miss the percussion element.
"It's flat-footed singing as we like to say," Mr. Nitz joked.
The senior said the group auditioned in September in Atlanta. They sang "A Dream is a Wish," "Power in the Praisin'," "Let It Snow" and the national anthem, to show the diversity of their repertoire.
The show's producers followed up with a request for a video.
"'Sing-Off' is going to be a pop show, so they wanted to see more of a pop side to us. We sent in a video of 'Change the World,' by Eric Clapton," Mr. Nitz said.
In addition to bragging rights, the show's winning group receives a $100,000 prize and a recording contract with Epic Records/Sony, said Chelsea Krueger, show spokeswoman with mPRm Public Relations.
"For Voices of Lee to be recognized as one of the best small ensembles in the country is really remarkable," said Dr. Paul Conn, Lee president.
Dr. Conn has a favorite phrase to describe how the music department has raised the university's visibility: What football is to Notre Dame, music is to Lee University.
"There is a lot more to Notre Dame than just football, it's a fine university. But people know it for the excellence and tradition of its football teams. When you say Lee University in this part of the country, people think of our music programs," said the university president.
THE VOICES OF LEE
Amanda Addinall
Chad Madden
Phillip Nitz
Garland Philips
Jermaine Purifory
Lauren Ramkissoon
Bryan Sanders
Paul Tosch
Candace Whittington
LaTisha Wilson
THE COMPETITION
Beelzebubs from Boston
Noteworthy from Provo, Utah
Face from Boulder, Colo
Maxx Factor from Baltimore, Md.
Nota from San Juan, Puerto Rico
The SoCals from Los Angeles
Solo from Omaha, Neb.
Source: NBC
Tune In
"The Sing Off" will air Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 14-16, on NBC from 8 to 10 p.m. The live finale will air Monday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m.
Susan Palmer Pierce is a reporter and columnist in the Life department. She began her journalism career as a summer employee 1972 for the News Free Press, typing bridal announcements and photo captions. She became a full-time employee in 1980, working her way up to feature writer, then special sections editor, then Lifestyle editor in 1995 until the merge of the NFP and Times in 1999. She was honored with the 2007 Chattanooga Woman of ...
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