SCERA Shell to Open 2016 Summer Season with Rockapella, 5/30

If extraordinary energy is enough to move mountains, then the Wasatch Range should be rocking for two hours when Rockapella headlines the Acappella Supershow May 30 at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem. The Memorial Day concert launches the 2016 summer season under the stars, and popular regional groups, Voice Male and VoiceLine from Utah Valley University, will join as special guests.

The show will begin at 8 p.m. at the amphitheatre, which is located in the heart of SCERA Park, 699 S. State St., Orem. General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors (age 65 and older) and children (age 3-11). Patrons should bring a blanket or rent a chair for $1.00 (limited quantities, first come first serve). Reserved seating areas which include a lawn chair may also be available at prices ranging from $25 to $35 for adults and $20 to $30 for seniors and children. Tickets are available through www.scera.org, by calling 801-225-ARTS, and in person at SCERA Center for the Arts (745 S. State St.) between 10am-6pm weekdays.

For nearly a quarter of a century Rockapella has gained loyal fans beginning with their appearance on the PBS series "Where in the World is Carman Sandiego?

A favorite on college campuses nationwide, the concert marks a return of the famously fresh vocalists to the SCERA stage. In many ways Rockapella sets the standards for rocking acappella groups, as echoed by USA today who identified the group's timeless appeal: "The best musical instrument of all is the human voice-if you've seen Rockapella, you know that's the truth."

"Expect a full-band sound of contemporary music," says Adam J. Robertson, SCERA's President and CEO. "These guys are so excellent, a form of magic sparks the stage whenever they perform. You will hear catchy original songs and their personal stamp on Motown, pop and soul."

The current Rockapella line-up features Scott Leonard (since 1991, High Tenor), Jeff Thacher (1993, Vocal Percussionist), Steven Dorian (2010, Tenor), Calvin Jones (2013, Tenor), and Ryan Chappelle (2015, Bass). This marks a new generation of Rockapella, who remain keenly focused on musical excellence.

"People have a hard time believing it's just us making all of that music. It's still those same elements that make modern band music: percussion, bass, melody and harmonies," says Scott. "Our success is in the art of it - it's not what you do, but how you do it!" adds Jeff.

Voice Male may have roots may be firmly planted in Utah, but the six-man contemporary acappella group sharing the stage with Rockapella has been playing to appreciative audiences in the Intermountain West for nearly two decades.

Completing the trio of performing groups is a hometown favorite, Utah Valley University's VoiceLine, composed of UVU students who have been establishing a name for themselves since 2012.

"Although this is the newest and youngest group, their concerts are fun-filled with humor and contemporary sounds designed for the entire family," according to Robertson.

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