Acappella & Unplugged returning to Chambersburg
CHAMBERSBURG - Franklin County Visitors Bureau and the Capitol Theatre have joined together once again to bring back Acappella & Unplugged this summer.
Returning after the success of last year, auditions for the popular vocal competition will be held June 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and June 2 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Chambersburg.
Performers of all ages are invited to audition and can be solo or groups with vocals or unplugged instrumental. Those auditioning are asked to be able to carry their instruments on stage, and ensure instruments do not require electricity. Microphones will be provided.
Acts must be appropriate for a variety of ages and be celebratory – lively and inspiring, something that will make the audience come to life.
There is also a $10 entry fee per group.
Last year, nearly 30 competitors performed before judges during the audition stages, including a barbershop quartet, a sibling group, local singers and even a performer from Lebanon County.
Last year’s winners, sibling duo Taylor Piper and Kristopher Potter, took home the $500 grand prize and performed in front of the crowd gathered for the "1864: The Burning" light show commemorating the Burning of Chambersburg.
Over the past five years, the light show - which tells the story of the ransoming, burning and rebirth of Chambersburg – attracted thousands of visitors. It showed the local events that were part of national history. Moving out of the 150th commemoration of the Civil War, celebrating the people, who rebuilt Chambersburg, is a main focus. The musical competition is a way of celebrating those people and their incredible spirit.
“1864 The Burning commemorates Franklin County’s history,” said Janet Pollard, executive director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau. “A Cappella & Unplugged celebrates the spirit of the people, who brought Chambersburg to life after the burning. What better way to uplift and remember than with music.”
Top performers from the audition will be invited to perform and compete in Acappella & Unplugged ROUND 1 on June 25 at 7 p.m. on stage at the Capitol Theatre, where a panel of judges will select the top six acts.
From here, ROUND 2 will be public voting. Beginning Monday, June 27 at noon, friends, family and the general public can vote by liking the act on the Franklin County Visitors Bureau Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/FCVBen.
Voting for these finalists will go on until July 13, when the top three will be invited to perform on the courthouse steps the evening of July 16 as part of the festivities leading up to the “1864: The Burning” light show.
After the performance, the winner will be selected by tabulating in-person votes and Facebook votes. The act with the most votes wins the $500 grand prize.
All previous year’s participants, except the winning performers, are invited to return to Acappella & Unplugged 2016.
To register to audition, participants can register through Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-cappella-unplugged-auditions-tickets-24778128048.
Those interested can also contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 717-552-2977 or toll-free at 866-646-8060 and sign up. Participants can also drop by the Visitors Bureau Office, 37 South Main Street, Chambersburg, in person to register and pay.
For more information, visit the Franklin County Visitors Bureau online at www.ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com.