Jennifer, If you haven't already seen it (and I didn't see it in your video list), you should check out Voctave's Mary, Did You Know (featuring Mark Lowery - the writer of the lyrics). Voctave does a stunning job, as always, but the kicker is Mark. I've never seen a better example of how much more impactful a song can be when the singer believes every word with his whole heart. Mark touches your heart, and does it while singing beautifully. He is seated on a stool because he now has MS.
You will notice that, as a capella groups go, this ensemble is more "seasoned" than most. Jamey brought them together and they remain together out of love for what the do together and that always shows in their performances. It allows Jamey to arrange not just for a soprano or tenor but for each individual voice. Thanks for another entertaining reaction and Merry Christmas.
That isn't surprising, considering most of them have sung together while with The Liberty Singers, they've also shuffled members. I just love their more traditional approach to a cappella , for the most part it's choral.
Tom is right. Jamey has said in interviews that he arranges Voctave music specifically for each member instead of arranging traditional parts. Plus, it's remarkable that they blend as well as they do because Voctave is a side project for these members as they have full-time jobs elsewhere. They have very limited rehearsal time together, and sometimes they don't get to rehearse until the sound check before concerts.
Lovely review, Jennifer! This performance is truly one of EJ's standout moments! It also really makes me miss JC Fullerton, the bass who was standing behind EJ. He has one of the warmest bass voices I've ever heard, and he performed at Disney World for 30 years. I didn't see him when I was there the last couple of times, so he may have retired. As for Jamey Ray the founder and arranger, he has a looong list of credits to his name, including arrangements for shows on Broadway and in the West End. And he's a music professor at Rollins College by day, I don't know where he finds the time to sing ...
EJ does a collab with VoicePlay, “Go The Distance” from Hercules, that is simply one of the most intricate and beautiful arrangements they’ve ever done. The end gives me chills every time. But EJ’s brother, Omar Cardona, has also done two collabs with VP, which are also amazing. “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Superstition”. Omar is just as good as his brother! And yeah, the last note from EJ here is about 24 seconds long. Made even more impressive by the opt up halfway through.
Jamey Ray does all of Voctave's arrangements, if I'm not mistaken. He's brilliant. I know you've reacted to Voctave before, and yes, I know that it's only 3 days to Christmas, but you absolutely HAVE to check out their "Mary, Did You Know," featuring the original writer, Mark Lowry, as soloist. Holy crap. It's really just breathtaking.
One of Jamey Ray's "other jobs" is arranging Barbershop music. He professionally arranges music for quartets and choruses of singers who are used to singing unaccompanied and remaining in tune. Several other members of Voctave also have solid props in the Barbershop world. The are used to changing keys often and effortlessly and keeping in tune. I've not seen reviews of Voctave that mentioned the Barbershop connection but I could hear a connection with that type of music in much of what they perform.
As another encouragement to listen to Voctave's Mary Did You Know?, the last note Kate hits is extremely high and extremely SOFT and she holds it straight tone for a very long time, only adding the perfect amount of vibrato at the very end. It's a masterful moment.
The absolute eargasim that is The Prince Of Egypt Medley is a Voctave MUST! It highlights Jamey Ray's arrangement abilities and singing voice, Kate has mind boggling high notes, Tiffany, Sarah, and Ashley have solo features that will bring tears to your eyes, and the bases keep everything smooth as silk.
Oh yes, "Prince of Egypt Medley" is epic!! My favorite part is Kurt's solo. That solo alone proved why Kurt has had such an amazing career, including multiple stints on Broadway.
I've been fortunate enough to have seen and heard Victave perform this in concert and they sounded just as good in person as on their recording. Their talent is out if this world!
E.J. has one of the most beautiful male voices I have heard. Just an amazing talent. The first time I heard him wasn't with Voctave, it was a collaboration Voiceplay. One which I highly recommend, Go the Distance. His voice, style, sound and range just blew me away. He sounded amazing with them and the same with Voctave.
I think you would really enjoy when voiceplay does “I can go the distance “ EJ features and is the lead, his voice combined with the arrangement of voiceplay is incredible
This was a fantastic rendition! You sure are good at explaining how they do what they do and fun to watch to boot 🥸They recently did an excellent, albeit too short (2:50), rendition of The Christmas Song, with Drew as the soloist, that what be fun for you to react to. Great reaction, Jen!
I have been watching them for years and that are sooooo amazing. EJ is friggin amazing. I believe it was a 25 count for his last belt. This group is just incredible. Even their educational background in music is crazy....
One other little aspect of Voctave's singers that I still love is how seamlessly any of them can jump in and out of the blend. EJ's singing the solo, then blending back into the group to the point you can barely pick out what notes he's singing, then resuming the solo is a great demonstration of this. :)
Don't mind me, I'm just watching every reaction to this performance ahah. You did great, I could felt your excitement as much as I always am with them, and you explained things other coach didn't ! Will keep an eye on you in the future, I'm working to afford singing lessons in my city because I love it so I'll maybe use your advices !
Hi Jennifer. If I remember correctly you watched their Love Medley at some point. You should look up Voctave love medley rehearsal and watch the short video - not as a reaction, just for yourself - it's a funny inside look at how Kirstin and Jeremy felt singing with Voctave.
Jennifer both you and the Charasmatic Voice are the best Voice coach reactors out there. I love watching your obvious appreciation and hearing your deep knowledge on the subject of singing is fantastic! Thanks for doing what you do for us! Please continue 🙏. Peace and love🥰
As I watched this video I was genuinely excited for you to see the brilliance of twists and turns of Jamey's arrangement of this songs and the flawless execution of his vision by the rest of Voctave; especially EJ.
Hola mi amiga treviesa! You wear a Santa hat well. Great analysis and again, a fun one. You can say more with facial expressions than most can say with words. I still believe that you are very knowledgeable about music and the voice especially for one so young.
Yeah… with EJ, you could pause after every phrase. He’s just SOOOO GOOD. This arrangement gives me chills no matter how many times I hear it. Your breakdown is thorough and quite excellent.
Jennifer, If you haven't already watched and listened to David Phelps do O Holy Night. I believe this was recorded at a live performance in 2004ish. You WON'T be disappointed!!!!!
@@JenniferGlatzhofer disney love song rehearsal - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rjZpz0EvnV8.html Thought you might appreciate this reaction to Kate during rehearsal. Best
jennifer ove your reactions and you do get into them LOL saw this group Steam Power Giraffe not my music but the song and everything about it i could not stop watching Its called HONEYBEE and do get the one they do on the beach and use headphones its a treat
Merry Christmas 🎄. Hope Santa found your house. Enjoy your reviews. Your " geekyness" is the best part do don't stop that part. May I add my voice in suggesting Voctave's rendition of "Mary Did You Know?", featuring the lyrics composer Mark Lowrey. In my opinion it is the official version of this song. I'm sure you'll agree when you see it. Happy New Year 🎊
A beautiful classic approach. Personally I enjoyed Pentatonix version of this song. Much more modern and upbeat. I think you may enjoy their take on it.
HEY (hey)... that was a fantastic (and very informative) reaction, Jennifer. Please do a reaction of Voctave's Mary, Did You Know featuring Mark Lowry. It's stunning!
I have a question for Vocal Coach Jennifer, so you can put your nerd goggles on for it if you need to. I'm trying to learn to sing, more or less, but I don't "speak" singer. From watching you and other coaches doing reactions and lessons, I have picked up some stuff. But when I ask questions, I kind of like to spread the misery around, so it's your turn! So here goes what's stuck in my head again today: You guys talk about passages a lot. In my mind brain, I think I've figured out that passages aren't a certain note for everyone, but to put it in idiot, the first passage would be where your mix lives? Is the second passage falsetto? AND, I guess this is the main question, are your particular passages locked in by your physiology, or can they shift as you expand your voice range? Luv the hat btw!
Great question!! So yes, our passages (or passaggios) are the transitional areas between our registers. So between chest and head voice would be our first passage. This is where we start using our mix depending on what sound we are after. We are probably in our mix voice more than we realise! Between head voice and super head voice (yes!!) is our 2nd passage. We can still mix here as there are many balances to make a mix. There’s not just one ‘mix’, we can play with percentages. Falsetto is where we enter a breathy onset. So, we all have different notes as to where our passages start, depending on the size of our thyroid cartilage, larynx etc. A lot of factors. The notes can change as we age and go through different stages of life. By increasing our range, the passages will remain in the same place, we just work on strengthening the ‘flip’ points to disguise the change. Hope that makes sense!! 😊
That’s because he’s in his mix 😊 so EJ is definitely thinning out his vocal folds here but there is still a lot of his speaking voice feel and resistance
OK, Jennifer - very nice, soulful presentation of the song, rather classical, but, as I said, very good. But, I know you're a PTX fan - try their version. You'll be amazed, the same song, but in a very interesting and, in my opinion, better presentation. Africa sends its regards... have fun...
