A capella group to make debut performance at USU
“Life is a musical,” said Kevin Jones, a member of Eclipse. Their CD release concert on Tuesday will provide listeners a chance to be involved in that musical.
Eclipse is an all-male a capella ensemble consisting of six singers, who have each performed with the Sunburst Singers and in the annual Utah State University Glenn Miller Show. The group’s repertoire spans a wide range from vocal jazz to pop and R & B. All songs performed by Eclipse are original arrangements written by and specifically for Eclipse, said Jones, the second tenor and vocal percussionist for Eclipse.
Eclipse’s CD release concert, entitled “Once,” will be performed Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Eccles Conference Center.
“We participated in the Pacific Northwest region of the Harmony Sweepstakes Competition and won. We have also sung in Thailand, the Tuacahn Theatre in St. George and Chicago,” said Shayne Taylor, who sings baritone.
Paul Hansen, first tenor in Eclipse, said all six guys are from Utah and “this [singing and music] is in our blood.”
“We cater to progressive pop,” said Pat Rose, a baritone and arranger for Eclipse. He said their style is diverse, ranging from contemporary a capella to vocal jazz and from choral to pop and barber shop.
“We’re quite varied. It makes for good listening,” Rose said.
Hansen said they are original and try to find their own sound.
Jones said they sing a lot of covers – taking well-known songs and making them a capella.
Eclipse members have been singing individually since they were kids, some as long as they can remember, they said. Their musical influences range from Sting to Phil Collins to Kenny Rogers to Rush.
Kirk Mecham, who sings bass for Eclipse, said Rush has influenced him a lot in his singing .
“I take a lot of my bass sounds from them,” he said.
Dan Kartchner, second baritone, said Eclipse’s music is recognizable, but arranged for a capella.
“Our CD has something every listener will enjoy,” Mecham said.
Tickets are $3 and are available in the Taggart Student Center, Room 311, or at the door, Jones said.