Also on the list (though maaaaybe a little further off - not sure yet, but I think I want to get a couple more visual reactions under my belt before I hit the only-audio button - I'll be more familiar with the voices that way).
I have adored Kate for many years and have had the opportunity many many times to hear her in person at both Disney and a few times with the arts organization i sing with. I am absolutely in awe of her crystal clarity and incredible range. She is as wonderful of a human being as her voice is. Kind and humble and beautiful.
Ooh - I'm jealous that you've heard her live. Pure voices like hers are a marvel when you're hearing them in person. I think I saw Aaron when I was at Disney a couple of weeks ago - I'm not used to him with the longer hair, but I saw him in the thumbnail for their new video when someone posted it on the VP Discord and realised it must have been him (after I'd left, of course).
I liked the way that Jamie Ray chose the voices that came closest to matching the musical style of Disney's sound in the decade the movie was released.
I recently saw these guys in person. If you ever get the chance, DO IT. They are every bit as good in person as they are here. And her soprano is even more amazing in person. :)
Voctave has an amazing blend! And your reaction to Reflections from Mulan made me think you haven't reacted to a Dan Vasc yet that I've seen, he did a pretty cool rendition of I'll Make a Man Out of You that you might find interesting.
All of Voctave's members are present or former cast members at Walt Disney World, either as singers or voice actors or both. Most reactors are understandably enchanted by that high soprano (Kate) but don't miss the depths the basses are plumbing. Several Voctave members are also big names in the barbershop music world, including quartet and chorus gold medals. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their tour last spring and can vouch for their amazing-ness in a live setting, too. I think their master work is the Prince of Egypt Medley but only the audio is on UA-cam for that. I'd suggest the Movie Medley just for the fact that it's John Williams movie scores done vocally with almost NO text. The current lineup on the website is a bit different from that shown here: longtime tenor Tony DeRosa and bass J.C. Tetterton have retired and been replaced.
That totally checks out - they certainly have the sound down pat. The basses did indeed hit some incredible notes - I probably should have mentioned them more, but meeting 11 people for the first time (well, technically 10 since I covered EJ's guest spot with VoicePlay for "I Can't Make You Love Me") felt like a lot, so it seemed best to focus on the soloists. Thinking I'll do Showstoppers next to meet some of the men in a similar fashion. I would love to see them live. I know many of them were part of Voices of Liberty and, while a video I took confirms I didn't see any Voctave members, seeing Voices of Liberty live was astonishing, so I'm sure these folks would be truly incredible. I definitely want to do the movie medley. Since I'm still a new reactor, and coming into groups with huge portfolios, I'm thinking of doing more months like this, and a movie one seems like an interesting choice. Duly noted re the lineup - thanks for the info.
Your comments are spontaneous, clear, detailed and without much philosophizing. It is a pleasure to listen to you. Voctave is a great choice. What I love about them are the rich and bright textures they create with their voices. When a group has many members, it can sometimes be a double-edged sword, as it is not always easy to blend different voices so that nothing sticks out too much. Here, the solo parts are perfectly supported by the backing voices and everything works as one organic whole.
Thank you so very much! Seconding the texture comment - the layering and balance in this is fantastic. All 11 of the vocalists, and Jamey as arranger, have clearly worked very hard to make this sound like such a unified performance.
Thank you David. I learn more each time from each reactor to this song. And your review is brill in terms of their technique and phonic care/vowel choice. P.S - you might want to check out Kate at her last line " Though he's far away (no breath) Ill find the perfect etc - to the end. It sounds (to me like all on 1 breath). Thanks for sharing :-[D
You are welcome - I'm really glad you enjoyed my video. :-) Answering this at a point where I can't check out that phrase, but I will definitely go back and do so.
You got all the ladies names right! Kate is inhuman, I swear. The sheer clarity and softness of her whistle notes are just stunning. I can hit an E6 whistle (my top note) but it sounds very crackly and airy. Her control is astounding. I can’t listen to this piece without getting misty eyed at the end!
Phew! I'm always nervous with a new group, but especially one this big! Agreed - I don't know if I've ever heard a coloratura with such precise control, and yet who seems like they're doing it all so easily! Very much feel you on the ending - a simple enough move in terms of the arrangement, but goodness it packs a punch. That's a simple move deployed absolutely perfectly - and that's not so simple!
This is the group that EJ Cardona is in. He has done a couple of videos with VoicePlay "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "GO THE DISTANCE". his younger brother Omar has done five or six with them. This group is another that I enjoy lessening too.
Indeed - I have a reaction to "I Can't Make You Love Me," which introduced me to him - he's fantastic. I haven't reacted to an Omar video yet. Looking forward to seeing (more of) both.
Yeah, I'm barely a few minutes into this and already have a huge grin on my face. Both from listening to Voctave again and because I know you'll absolutely love this.
I appreciate this reaction. I enjoy that you do a first uninterrupted watch, then go back and analyze. So many reactors just talk over everything. They never let a phrase finish which drives me crazy. Thank you for that.
I especially enjoyed your reaction in great detail after the 1st play through. It may be a little long for most listeners but again, I really enjoyed this unique format. Voctave is my favorite group. I would like yo suggest a couple songs, Oh Holy Night featuring Tiffany Colburn who hits an extremely high note at the end, and an audio only Prince Of Egypt. You will be impressed no matter what songs you choose.
Thank you so much! I appreciate that, and I'm glad people are finding my channel who like the greater detail. They are a fantastic group, for sure. Songs added to my list. :-)
YAY! I've been waiting for this and your 1hr video did not disappoint! Voctave is stunning, stunning, stunning in everything they do. It kills me that I've never seen some of them sing as Voices of Liberty at The American Adventure Pavilion in WDW when I've been there so many times. I won't miss them again!
I'm going to have to check if I did - I saw Voices... in 2020, and took a video. Not sure if it's good enough for me to identify anyone, but hopefully I can.
@@rmdewberry2482 Haha! Found the video, and actually they weren't, but no, no Voctave members that I could see. Maybe next time. Heartily recommend seeing Voices of Liberty though - whoever is there, they are fabulous.
i went to Epcot December 2019 just before Covid and Kate, Sarah and Karl all sang in Voices. I was so happy... was saying "hi" to Sarah while sitting on the floor right next to her in the group and she was side-acknowledging me. Such awesome memories.
Wonderful reaction, so glad you enjoyed them! One of my favorite covers that they have done was actually done with a barbershop chorus called Vocal Majority, they covered A Million Dreams for the greatest showman. Christmas music from them is also wonderful!
Thank you! Very hard not to enjoy! I'm familiar with Vocal Majority, but haven't heard that song - I'll check it out. Looking forward to having Voctave in my portfolio when Xmas comes along - I can imagine they do some wonderful arrangements.
Nice surprise finding this reaction at my last check for the evening. I've only dipped my toe in the Voctave waters- this being one of them- but they have impressed. Orlando seems such a hotspot of talent.
Likewise - for a starting introduction, this is fabulous. I thought about the Orlando comment for a moment and, besides agreeing wholeheartedly, I feel like the presence of Disney World and Universal Studios must inspire many creative people to come there, and many who are there to begin a creative life.
@@davidkreacts Please do! Accent got their start on youtube. They're 6 guys living in 5 different countries. The Real Group is from Sweden. They're considered the gold standard of A Cappella. They've been around since the 80s. Not many people know about The Real Group.
I saw them live last year in Greenville NC and they sound exactly the same in person! Check out the Great Movie Medley, Let there be peace on earth, and definitely watch Mary, did you know with Mark Lowry, the original songwriter. A cappella rabbit hole #4 found ✔
I loved how all the ladies sounded like typical Disney princesses yet also distinctly different! I started listening to these wonderful guys thanks to VoicePlays collaborations with EJ, so good! I'm very much hoping one of your VoicePlay choices will be their Little Mermaid medley, they all sound fantastic of course, but Geoff, as Ursula, going from the depths to a high rock belt is unexpected and something behold! 🙂👍
Last Tuesday, Voctave was at Florida State University and I took my favorite waitress with me to see them. It was really excellent. I loved the competition between the gals and guys - Anything you can do, I can do better was so much fun.
I think you've just introduced me to, yet another, wonderful a cappella group. I love how different their voices are, and how much the arranging of each sections brings forth images from each film. During "Someday My Prince Will Come", the chorus almost sounds like the birds outside of Snow White's tower window. The airy and darker sound of "Once Upon a Dream" is reminiscent of a woodland scene. In "Part of Your World", the chorus sounds like they too are asking the question, they also want to know the answer, and the return to the open sound almost sounds (to me anyway) like an "Ah, now I understand" kind of sound. And the end of that section, with the accompaniment, I can SEE Ariel slowly drifting back down into her grotto. For "Reflection" (oh, this song has always hit me in the 'I can relate to this!' feels), she is isolated, as you said, but I envision support from the ancestors. And with the flow of the notes in "Colours of the Wind", I can visualize colours (leaves, grass, dust particles creating rainbows in the sun) dancing as they're carried by the wind. And that's all due to the arrangement and the different timbres of their voices.... A+++++++!!!!! Also, for the Mulan and Pocahontas sections, as an alto with a few mezzo notes up her sleeve, it's SO NICE to see singers in those ranges shine, and to see an arrangement adjust to make sure they can shine and also be comfortable doing so. And, I love the descending scale, as it were as we move from princess to princess... Snow White's almost operatic soprano, to Aurora's soprano, to Ariel's mezzo, and down to Mulan's and Pocahontas's alto. It's done SO seamlessly. It's wonderful. Sorry if I keep adding my own reactions and analyses to these.... Sometimes, I'm just compelled to give more than just two cents. (Besides, we don't have the penny anymore, so I guess I'm now giving a nickel's worth of opinions.)
Yay - I'm glad! Love the analysis - there is a true story to each of their songs, both in the performance and the arrangement. YES! Seconding the note on altos - I'm glad I started with this, because it was such a perfect introduction to the ladies, and I feel like the altos are always most hard done by in choral scenarios (not that I'm expecting that with Voctave, but in general), and so it's nice to know those voices now before the next one. Never apologise for adding your thoughts - I always enjoy reading them. :-) I'll even take a dime's worth ;-)
I've been trying to think of a few-word phrase to explain Voctave to people who don't know of them (the way VoicePlay is the "Theater Kids," Pentatonix is "Pop," and Home Free is "Country").* And now, I think I've settled on: "Mid-Century Choral Revival." They remind me of the choral backing singers on my parents' old Nat King Cole records. ... all the warmth of comfortable nostalgia. *Of course, each group also moves beyond these niches, but those are good places to start.
That sounds good to me - they have a very vintage, nostalgic sound about their layering. (I also agree that having a "stinger" to hook people on the very loose general style is a good idea.)
My first Disney princess was Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.( I was about 7) The music touched me profoundly. When my granddaughter was a toddler, I would sing "Once upon a dream" while waltzing with her in my arms. She is 24 now and I hope she remembers those days when she was little. I love this arrangement so much! There is a video with Kirsten Maldonado from PTX doing the Disney love medley with them. Try that one!
That's a wonderful memory. I'm sure that your granddaughter remembers too. Music and moments like that both stick with us, I think. I have the Love Medley on my list, for sure (though I'm thinking the next one might be Showstoppers so that I can meet a few of the men too).
Nice reaction!!! Voctave does soooo many genres ,but the Disney stuff put them on the map. They do The Disney Love Medley featuring a young Kirstin Maldonado and ( her then fiance) Jeremy Michael Lewis. They do The Disney Showstoppers Medley featuring 3 of the men (E.J. is one of them). Also they do an amazing Stampede from the Lion King and yes, the first note is their human voices! The original group before they became Voctave does an awesome Disney Fly Medley . A "non" Disney medley is The Great Movie Medley, an ode to the great John Williams and some of his greatest movie theme songs.There are only 9 members on this one and with the exception of one song ( it has lyrics) THEY are the orchestra!!!
Thank you very much! I can see why this caught people's collective eye, but I'm looking forward to experiencing more of their other work as well. The Stampede?! That's not what I expected - on the list for sure. (The others already are.) Very much diving head first into this rabbit hole (though lots more groups to get through in Disney month before I get to their next video).
This was a great reaction and I appreciated the analysis. I’ve heard so many 1st time reactions to Voctave, from people who wouldn’t know a cappella from Acapulco, to Music and voice teachers who analyzed it and pulled it apart. Anyone off the street can hear them and know they are something special, but your analysis really shows why. I’m such a fan of Jamey Ray. His arrangements never cease to amaze me. He is truly a prodigy and gifted beyond his years. He is a music professor at Rollins College on the north side of Orlando. He was highly influenced by Derric Johnson who arranges all the music for Voices of Liberty, hence the similar sound. Here’s an Interview with Jamey Ray (Voctave) and Derric Johnson (Voices of Liberty) on their arranging styles. [ ua-cam.com/video/wHSs36vsjCI/v-deo.html ] It’s one of those peeks behind the curtain to see how the minds of these men works. I’m truly in awe of both. As for Disney music, well no one does it better than people who have all sung for Disney professionally. For 1/2 of them, Disney is still their day job and Voctave is only a side hobby. But since you’ve gone down the rabbit hole, here’s a few Disney numbers of theirs that you may want to check out. Disney Love Medley (feat. Kirsten Maldonado & Jeremy Michael Lewis) ua-cam.com/video/zLMeDUBKmBs/v-deo.html Disney Frozen Medley ua-cam.com/video/YATC67A6z3M/v-deo.html Cinderella Medley ua-cam.com/video/piAo7yAaIZI/v-deo.html Disney Showstoppers Medley ua-cam.com/video/cculZZLY6z4/v-deo.html Sleeping Beauty Medley (Once Upon A Dream/I Wonder) ua-cam.com/video/pJ9kvtUfKzE/v-deo.html When You Wish Upon A Star - Pinocchio ua-cam.com/video/anKL8h2pxfg/v-deo.html Disney Fly Medley ua-cam.com/video/QQ0CZB_DUzE/v-deo.html How Far I’ll Go (Moana) ua-cam.com/video/sr202T5ACW4/v-deo.html Disney 90s TV Medley ua-cam.com/video/pkxhZRUrqIE/v-deo.html Beauty & the Beast feat. Sandi Patty ua-cam.com/video/Jae3pyjY_o0/v-deo.html Stampede (from The Lion King) ua-cam.com/video/L05fulXdz0M/v-deo.html ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH ua-cam.com/video/0Tq61Br_RS0/v-deo.html Besides being known for their Disney songs, they’re also known for their Christmas songs and Broadway songs. Jamey has done a masterful job at all of them so dive in, the water’s great! CHRISTMAS Theme O Come, All Ye Faithful ua-cam.com/video/CljN1YIxHiI/v-deo.html Carol of the Bells of Notre Dame Medley ua-cam.com/video/dYtlzWE1YUU/v-deo.html Jingle Bells ua-cam.com/video/mRzMmQ459FE/v-deo.html All Is Well ua-cam.com/video/QQ0CZB_DUzE/v-deo.html You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch ua-cam.com/video/2qpH_NJ5HMM/v-deo.html Mary, Did You Know feat. Mark Lowry ua-cam.com/video/uaRpeMT1tjQ/v-deo.html Manger Medley ua-cam.com/video/q5OdnMP4NpE/v-deo.html Joy To The World/For Unto Us A Child Is Born ua-cam.com/video/uzhP5jhSAGc/v-deo.html O Holy Night ua-cam.com/video/2whYdPtH5Ac/v-deo.html Where Are You Christmas? ua-cam.com/video/fl9L52HFjeo/v-deo.html The Christmas Song ua-cam.com/video/iYFFKuuaF3k/v-deo.html O Come, O Come Emmanuel/The First Noel/I Wonder As I Wander ua-cam.com/video/0RojDqKIcVk/v-deo.html Christmas Waltz Medley (with Once Upon A December) ua-cam.com/video/opq2088l-SA/v-deo.html Man With The Bag ua-cam.com/video/3dfvYfpCLNg/v-deo.html Grown-up Christmas List ua-cam.com/video/muE8OZxqW6Y/v-deo.html Joy To The World (with For Unto Us A Child Is Born) ua-cam.com/video/1nziWgvOPj4/v-deo.html Snow ua-cam.com/video/ZUcKtdvhqZc/v-deo.html This Is My Wish/Let There Be Peace On Earth ua-cam.com/video/oXreNYWtjPQ/v-deo.html The Spirit Of The Season ua-cam.com/video/0Tq61Br_RS0/v-deo.html BROADWAY Theme A Million Dreams (with Vocal Majority) ua-cam.com/video/jB_Z2OfyKyg/v-deo.html You Will Be Found feat. Virtual Choir ua-cam.com/video/hwbGSpKy-Ag/v-deo.html The Trolley Song ua-cam.com/video/rGjStlg6pPI/v-deo.html Remember Me feat. Mariachi Cobre ua-cam.com/video/0fUTidTzybI/v-deo.html Someday ua-cam.com/video/0PToHsMHYiI/v-deo.html Smile ua-cam.com/video/9_z6zclTrJM/v-deo.html Phantom of the Opera (Quarantine Daaé) ua-cam.com/video/8QII8KRGL6E/v-deo.html Something’s Coming (West Side Story) ua-cam.com/video/4XQZ-fhzJpQ/v-deo.html The Impossible Dream ua-cam.com/video/yIvV3l0GGEQ/v-deo.html They also do Americana and other genres of songs. Just get ready for more eargasms. They never disappoint. Looking forward to more Voctave reactions. They have enough content to keep you busy for years.
Thank you so much! I'm really glad to hear that my style worked for you. :-) Good to know that Jamey is the regular arranger, and it makes complete sense that he learned from Derric - there is definitely a stylistic comparison, though Jamey definitely has his own stamp on things too. I'm grateful to you for posting that interview - I am sure that will be interesting. I appreciate all of the recommendations - thank you very much. My list is already extensive even before adding these, but I will keep them in as regular rotation as I do any of the main groups. Glad to know re the MT songs too - I'm planning a musical theatre month later in the year.
You're not the first to have to pick your law up off the floor when Kate goes into the stratosphere. She is amazing, as are all the others. Please do their "Great Movie Medley". It's a medley of songs from movie scores written by the great John Williams. And only one song has words - the rest of them are "instrumental". I swear there are times when they sound like an orchestra.
I can believe that! They are phenomenal singers, for sure. I will definitely do the movies in the not-too-distant future (thinking of doing a theme month per quarter, and movies sounds like a fun one for the next one).
I keep it deliberately lower than mine as it is one thing to help avoid a whole series of copyright claims on the videos. I'm trying to get the balance right (and Voctave was a new group, so their volume balancing is a little different), but it will always be a little quieter.
Such an amazing reaction! I have tons of recs for voctave the biggest one being Prince of Egypt because its incredible. But I also want to suggest a super short one where they do the music from the stampede scene in the Lion King musical. It is literally breathtaking. The first note they come in on doesn't even sound human. ua-cam.com/video/L05fulXdz0M/v-deo.html
Oh! Oh! Oh!! Prince of Egypt will knock your socks off!!!
Also on the list (though maaaaybe a little further off - not sure yet, but I think I want to get a couple more visual reactions under my belt before I hit the only-audio button - I'll be more familiar with the voices that way).
O' Come All Ye Faithful ...
On the list, for sure (though likely not until November).
I have adored Kate for many years and have had the opportunity many many times to hear her in person at both Disney and a few times with the arts organization i sing with. I am absolutely in awe of her crystal clarity and incredible range. She is as wonderful of a human being as her voice is. Kind and humble and beautiful.
Ooh - I'm jealous that you've heard her live. Pure voices like hers are a marvel when you're hearing them in person.
I think I saw Aaron when I was at Disney a couple of weeks ago - I'm not used to him with the longer hair, but I saw him in the thumbnail for their new video when someone posted it on the VP Discord and realised it must have been him (after I'd left, of course).
I liked the way that Jamie Ray chose the voices that came closest to matching the musical style of Disney's sound in the decade the movie was released.
Absolutely agreed. The choices are perfect.
I recently saw these guys in person. If you ever get the chance, DO IT. They are every bit as good in person as they are here. And her soprano is even more amazing in person. :)
Oh, I would love to!
Voctave has an amazing blend! And your reaction to Reflections from Mulan made me think you haven't reacted to a Dan Vasc yet that I've seen, he did a pretty cool rendition of I'll Make a Man Out of You that you might find interesting.
All of Voctave's members are present or former cast members at Walt Disney World, either as singers or voice actors or both. Most reactors are understandably enchanted by that high soprano (Kate) but don't miss the depths the basses are plumbing. Several Voctave members are also big names in the barbershop music world, including quartet and chorus gold medals. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their tour last spring and can vouch for their amazing-ness in a live setting, too. I think their master work is the Prince of Egypt Medley but only the audio is on UA-cam for that. I'd suggest the Movie Medley just for the fact that it's John Williams movie scores done vocally with almost NO text. The current lineup on the website is a bit different from that shown here: longtime tenor Tony DeRosa and bass J.C. Tetterton have retired and been replaced.
That totally checks out - they certainly have the sound down pat. The basses did indeed hit some incredible notes - I probably should have mentioned them more, but meeting 11 people for the first time (well, technically 10 since I covered EJ's guest spot with VoicePlay for "I Can't Make You Love Me") felt like a lot, so it seemed best to focus on the soloists. Thinking I'll do Showstoppers next to meet some of the men in a similar fashion.
I would love to see them live. I know many of them were part of Voices of Liberty and, while a video I took confirms I didn't see any Voctave members, seeing Voices of Liberty live was astonishing, so I'm sure these folks would be truly incredible.
I definitely want to do the movie medley. Since I'm still a new reactor, and coming into groups with huge portfolios, I'm thinking of doing more months like this, and a movie one seems like an interesting choice.
Duly noted re the lineup - thanks for the info.
Your comments are spontaneous, clear, detailed and without much philosophizing. It is a pleasure to listen to you.
Voctave is a great choice. What I love about them are the rich and bright textures they create with their voices. When a group has many members, it can sometimes be a double-edged sword, as it is not always easy to blend different voices so that nothing sticks out too much. Here, the solo parts are perfectly supported by the backing voices and everything works as one organic whole.
Thank you so very much! Seconding the texture comment - the layering and balance in this is fantastic. All 11 of the vocalists, and Jamey as arranger, have clearly worked very hard to make this sound like such a unified performance.
Thank you David. I learn more each time from each reactor to this song. And your review is brill in terms of their technique and phonic care/vowel choice. P.S - you might want to check out Kate at her last line " Though he's far away (no breath) Ill find the perfect etc - to the end. It sounds (to me like all on 1 breath). Thanks for sharing :-[D
You are welcome - I'm really glad you enjoyed my video. :-) Answering this at a point where I can't check out that phrase, but I will definitely go back and do so.
You got all the ladies names right! Kate is inhuman, I swear. The sheer clarity and softness of her whistle notes are just stunning. I can hit an E6 whistle (my top note) but it sounds very crackly and airy. Her control is astounding.
I can’t listen to this piece without getting misty eyed at the end!
Phew! I'm always nervous with a new group, but especially one this big! Agreed - I don't know if I've ever heard a coloratura with such precise control, and yet who seems like they're doing it all so easily! Very much feel you on the ending - a simple enough move in terms of the arrangement, but goodness it packs a punch. That's a simple move deployed absolutely perfectly - and that's not so simple!
I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite, this is such an amazing group of people and stunning voices.
Yup, I would agree with that. Perfectly cast in their "roles" as well, both for voice type and performance style.
This is the group that EJ Cardona is in. He has done a couple of videos with VoicePlay "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "GO THE DISTANCE". his younger brother Omar has done five or six with them. This group is another that I enjoy lessening too.
Indeed - I have a reaction to "I Can't Make You Love Me," which introduced me to him - he's fantastic. I haven't reacted to an Omar video yet. Looking forward to seeing (more of) both.
Yeah, I'm barely a few minutes into this and already have a huge grin on my face. Both from listening to Voctave again and because I know you'll absolutely love this.
I'm glad you're enjoying it, and yes, I absolutely loved it!
I appreciate this reaction. I enjoy that you do a first uninterrupted watch, then go back and analyze. So many reactors just talk over everything. They never let a phrase finish which drives me crazy. Thank you for that.
Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoy my style - not to everyone's taste, I know, but it's how I feel I can contribute best.
I especially enjoyed your reaction in great detail after the 1st play through. It may be a little long for most listeners but again, I really enjoyed this unique format. Voctave is my favorite group. I would like yo suggest a couple songs, Oh Holy Night featuring Tiffany Colburn who hits an extremely high note at the end, and an audio only Prince Of Egypt. You will be impressed no matter what songs you choose.
Thank you so much! I appreciate that, and I'm glad people are finding my channel who like the greater detail. They are a fantastic group, for sure. Songs added to my list. :-)
Happy ears, happy heart☺ Thank you David!
You are very welcome. Thank you for watching. :-)
YAY! I've been waiting for this and your 1hr video did not disappoint! Voctave is stunning, stunning, stunning in everything they do. It kills me that I've never seen some of them sing as Voices of Liberty at The American Adventure Pavilion in WDW when I've been there so many times. I won't miss them again!
I'm going to have to check if I did - I saw Voices... in 2020, and took a video. Not sure if it's good enough for me to identify anyone, but hopefully I can.
@@davidkreacts Awesome! You'll definitely have to check. They might be in their winter bonnets, so you'll have to look extra close. :D
@@rmdewberry2482 Haha! Found the video, and actually they weren't, but no, no Voctave members that I could see. Maybe next time. Heartily recommend seeing Voices of Liberty though - whoever is there, they are fabulous.
i went to Epcot December 2019 just before Covid and Kate, Sarah and Karl all sang in Voices. I was so happy... was saying "hi" to Sarah while sitting on the floor right next to her in the group and she was side-acknowledging me. Such awesome memories.
@@dvwilbur That's very cool! Hopefully I'll get the chance next time I'm there - or just to see Voctave. :-)
Wonderful reaction, so glad you enjoyed them! One of my favorite covers that they have done was actually done with a barbershop chorus called Vocal Majority, they covered A Million Dreams for the greatest showman. Christmas music from them is also wonderful!
Thank you! Very hard not to enjoy! I'm familiar with Vocal Majority, but haven't heard that song - I'll check it out. Looking forward to having Voctave in my portfolio when Xmas comes along - I can imagine they do some wonderful arrangements.
Nice surprise finding this reaction at my last check for the evening.
I've only dipped my toe in the Voctave waters- this being one of them- but they have impressed.
Orlando seems such a hotspot of talent.
Likewise - for a starting introduction, this is fabulous. I thought about the Orlando comment for a moment and, besides agreeing wholeheartedly, I feel like the presence of Disney World and Universal Studios must inspire many creative people to come there, and many who are there to begin a creative life.
I love me some A Cappella groups. Voctave is among my favorites along with Swingles, The Real Group, and Accent.
Two new ones on me there - I know the Swingles, but not the others - I'll check them out some time.
@@davidkreacts Please do! Accent got their start on youtube. They're 6 guys living in 5 different countries. The Real Group is from Sweden. They're considered the gold standard of A Cappella. They've been around since the 80s. Not many people know about The Real Group.
I saw them live last year in Greenville NC and they sound exactly the same in person! Check out the Great Movie Medley, Let there be peace on earth, and definitely watch Mary, did you know with Mark Lowry, the original songwriter.
A cappella rabbit hole #4 found ✔
That must have been incredible. Better believe it re the rabbit hole! I have those on my list to check out in due course. :-)
I loved how all the ladies sounded like typical Disney princesses yet also distinctly different! I started listening to these wonderful guys thanks to VoicePlays collaborations with EJ, so good! I'm very much hoping one of your VoicePlay choices will be their Little Mermaid medley, they all sound fantastic of course, but Geoff, as Ursula, going from the depths to a high rock belt is unexpected and something behold! 🙂👍
Seconding that first comment wholeheartedly! TLM miiiiiiiiiight be coming in a couple of weeks... ;-)
@@davidkreacts Ooh you little tease! 😁👍
@@suzybailey5501 Moi? ;-)
Last Tuesday, Voctave was at Florida State University and I took my favorite waitress with me to see them. It was really excellent. I loved the competition between the gals and guys - Anything you can do, I can do better was so much fun.
Amazing! I hope to see them live one day. Ooh yes - I can see these folks doing that so well!
I think you've just introduced me to, yet another, wonderful a cappella group.
I love how different their voices are, and how much the arranging of each sections brings forth images from each film. During "Someday My Prince Will Come", the chorus almost sounds like the birds outside of Snow White's tower window. The airy and darker sound of "Once Upon a Dream" is reminiscent of a woodland scene. In "Part of Your World", the chorus sounds like they too are asking the question, they also want to know the answer, and the return to the open sound almost sounds (to me anyway) like an "Ah, now I understand" kind of sound. And the end of that section, with the accompaniment, I can SEE Ariel slowly drifting back down into her grotto. For "Reflection" (oh, this song has always hit me in the 'I can relate to this!' feels), she is isolated, as you said, but I envision support from the ancestors. And with the flow of the notes in "Colours of the Wind", I can visualize colours (leaves, grass, dust particles creating rainbows in the sun) dancing as they're carried by the wind. And that's all due to the arrangement and the different timbres of their voices.... A+++++++!!!!!
Also, for the Mulan and Pocahontas sections, as an alto with a few mezzo notes up her sleeve, it's SO NICE to see singers in those ranges shine, and to see an arrangement adjust to make sure they can shine and also be comfortable doing so. And, I love the descending scale, as it were as we move from princess to princess... Snow White's almost operatic soprano, to Aurora's soprano, to Ariel's mezzo, and down to Mulan's and Pocahontas's alto. It's done SO seamlessly. It's wonderful.
Sorry if I keep adding my own reactions and analyses to these.... Sometimes, I'm just compelled to give more than just two cents. (Besides, we don't have the penny anymore, so I guess I'm now giving a nickel's worth of opinions.)
Yay - I'm glad! Love the analysis - there is a true story to each of their songs, both in the performance and the arrangement.
YES! Seconding the note on altos - I'm glad I started with this, because it was such a perfect introduction to the ladies, and I feel like the altos are always most hard done by in choral scenarios (not that I'm expecting that with Voctave, but in general), and so it's nice to know those voices now before the next one.
Never apologise for adding your thoughts - I always enjoy reading them. :-) I'll even take a dime's worth ;-)
Love this! I can tell that you’re a fan David!
If one can be a fan after one video, then yes, absolutely! Looking forward to seeing more of their work.
I've been trying to think of a few-word phrase to explain Voctave to people who don't know of them (the way VoicePlay is the "Theater Kids," Pentatonix is "Pop," and Home Free is "Country").* And now, I think I've settled on: "Mid-Century Choral Revival." They remind me of the choral backing singers on my parents' old Nat King Cole records. ... all the warmth of comfortable nostalgia.
*Of course, each group also moves beyond these niches, but those are good places to start.
That sounds good to me - they have a very vintage, nostalgic sound about their layering. (I also agree that having a "stinger" to hook people on the very loose general style is a good idea.)
My first Disney princess was Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.( I was about 7) The music touched me profoundly. When my granddaughter was a toddler, I would sing "Once upon a dream" while waltzing with her in my arms. She is 24 now and I hope she remembers those days when she was little. I love this arrangement so much! There is a video with Kirsten Maldonado from PTX doing the Disney love medley with them. Try that one!
That's a wonderful memory. I'm sure that your granddaughter remembers too. Music and moments like that both stick with us, I think. I have the Love Medley on my list, for sure (though I'm thinking the next one might be Showstoppers so that I can meet a few of the men too).
Nice reaction!!! Voctave does soooo many genres ,but the Disney stuff put them on the map. They do The Disney Love Medley featuring a young Kirstin Maldonado and ( her then fiance) Jeremy Michael Lewis. They do The Disney Showstoppers Medley featuring 3 of the men (E.J. is one of them). Also they do an amazing Stampede from the Lion King and yes, the first note is their human voices! The original group before they became Voctave does an awesome Disney Fly Medley . A "non" Disney medley is The Great Movie Medley, an ode to the great John Williams and some of his greatest movie theme songs.There are only 9 members on this one and with the exception of one song ( it has lyrics) THEY are the orchestra!!!
Thank you very much! I can see why this caught people's collective eye, but I'm looking forward to experiencing more of their other work as well. The Stampede?! That's not what I expected - on the list for sure. (The others already are.) Very much diving head first into this rabbit hole (though lots more groups to get through in Disney month before I get to their next video).
This was a great reaction and I appreciated the analysis. I’ve heard so many 1st time reactions to Voctave, from people who wouldn’t know a cappella from Acapulco, to Music and voice teachers who analyzed it and pulled it apart. Anyone off the street can hear them and know they are something special, but your analysis really shows why. I’m such a fan of Jamey Ray. His arrangements never cease to amaze me. He is truly a prodigy and gifted beyond his years. He is a music professor at Rollins College on the north side of Orlando. He was highly influenced by Derric Johnson who arranges all the music for Voices of Liberty, hence the similar sound. Here’s an Interview with Jamey Ray (Voctave) and Derric Johnson (Voices of Liberty) on their arranging styles.
[ ua-cam.com/video/wHSs36vsjCI/v-deo.html ]
It’s one of those peeks behind the curtain to see how the minds of these men works. I’m truly in awe of both.
As for Disney music, well no one does it better than people who have all sung for Disney professionally. For 1/2 of them, Disney is still their day job and Voctave is only a side hobby. But since you’ve gone down the rabbit hole, here’s a few Disney numbers of theirs that you may want to check out.
Disney Love Medley (feat. Kirsten Maldonado & Jeremy Michael Lewis)
ua-cam.com/video/zLMeDUBKmBs/v-deo.html
Disney Frozen Medley
ua-cam.com/video/YATC67A6z3M/v-deo.html
Cinderella Medley
ua-cam.com/video/piAo7yAaIZI/v-deo.html
Disney Showstoppers Medley
ua-cam.com/video/cculZZLY6z4/v-deo.html
Sleeping Beauty Medley (Once Upon A Dream/I Wonder)
ua-cam.com/video/pJ9kvtUfKzE/v-deo.html
When You Wish Upon A Star - Pinocchio
ua-cam.com/video/anKL8h2pxfg/v-deo.html
Disney Fly Medley
ua-cam.com/video/QQ0CZB_DUzE/v-deo.html
How Far I’ll Go (Moana)
ua-cam.com/video/sr202T5ACW4/v-deo.html
Disney 90s TV Medley
ua-cam.com/video/pkxhZRUrqIE/v-deo.html
Beauty & the Beast feat. Sandi Patty
ua-cam.com/video/Jae3pyjY_o0/v-deo.html
Stampede (from The Lion King)
ua-cam.com/video/L05fulXdz0M/v-deo.html
ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH
ua-cam.com/video/0Tq61Br_RS0/v-deo.html
Besides being known for their Disney songs, they’re also known for their Christmas songs and Broadway songs. Jamey has done a masterful job at all of them so dive in, the water’s great!
CHRISTMAS Theme
O Come, All Ye Faithful
ua-cam.com/video/CljN1YIxHiI/v-deo.html
Carol of the Bells of Notre Dame Medley
ua-cam.com/video/dYtlzWE1YUU/v-deo.html
Jingle Bells
ua-cam.com/video/mRzMmQ459FE/v-deo.html
All Is Well
ua-cam.com/video/QQ0CZB_DUzE/v-deo.html
You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch
ua-cam.com/video/2qpH_NJ5HMM/v-deo.html
Mary, Did You Know feat. Mark Lowry
ua-cam.com/video/uaRpeMT1tjQ/v-deo.html
Manger Medley
ua-cam.com/video/q5OdnMP4NpE/v-deo.html
Joy To The World/For Unto Us A Child Is Born
ua-cam.com/video/uzhP5jhSAGc/v-deo.html
O Holy Night
ua-cam.com/video/2whYdPtH5Ac/v-deo.html
Where Are You Christmas?
ua-cam.com/video/fl9L52HFjeo/v-deo.html
The Christmas Song
ua-cam.com/video/iYFFKuuaF3k/v-deo.html
O Come, O Come Emmanuel/The First Noel/I Wonder As I Wander
ua-cam.com/video/0RojDqKIcVk/v-deo.html
Christmas Waltz Medley (with Once Upon A December)
ua-cam.com/video/opq2088l-SA/v-deo.html
Man With The Bag
ua-cam.com/video/3dfvYfpCLNg/v-deo.html
Grown-up Christmas List
ua-cam.com/video/muE8OZxqW6Y/v-deo.html
Joy To The World (with For Unto Us A Child Is Born)
ua-cam.com/video/1nziWgvOPj4/v-deo.html
Snow
ua-cam.com/video/ZUcKtdvhqZc/v-deo.html
This Is My Wish/Let There Be Peace On Earth
ua-cam.com/video/oXreNYWtjPQ/v-deo.html
The Spirit Of The Season
ua-cam.com/video/0Tq61Br_RS0/v-deo.html
BROADWAY Theme
A Million Dreams (with Vocal Majority)
ua-cam.com/video/jB_Z2OfyKyg/v-deo.html
You Will Be Found feat. Virtual Choir
ua-cam.com/video/hwbGSpKy-Ag/v-deo.html
The Trolley Song
ua-cam.com/video/rGjStlg6pPI/v-deo.html
Remember Me feat. Mariachi Cobre
ua-cam.com/video/0fUTidTzybI/v-deo.html
Someday
ua-cam.com/video/0PToHsMHYiI/v-deo.html
Smile
ua-cam.com/video/9_z6zclTrJM/v-deo.html
Phantom of the Opera (Quarantine Daaé)
ua-cam.com/video/8QII8KRGL6E/v-deo.html
Something’s Coming (West Side Story)
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The Impossible Dream
ua-cam.com/video/yIvV3l0GGEQ/v-deo.html
They also do Americana and other genres of songs. Just get ready for more eargasms. They never disappoint. Looking forward to more Voctave reactions. They have enough content to keep you busy for years.
Thank you so much! I'm really glad to hear that my style worked for you. :-) Good to know that Jamey is the regular arranger, and it makes complete sense that he learned from Derric - there is definitely a stylistic comparison, though Jamey definitely has his own stamp on things too. I'm grateful to you for posting that interview - I am sure that will be interesting.
I appreciate all of the recommendations - thank you very much. My list is already extensive even before adding these, but I will keep them in as regular rotation as I do any of the main groups. Glad to know re the MT songs too - I'm planning a musical theatre month later in the year.
Voctave sounds amazing, as always! Kate is my fav!
Btw, VoicePlay has lots of Disney material ... just saying 😉
They really do! Looking forward to my next video of theirs.
VP is a-comin', don't worry.
Ok! But you need to hear them do the Disney Love Medley
It's on my list for sure. Think I'm going to do Showstoppers first as I understand it's a good way of getting to know some of the male singers.
You're not the first to have to pick your law up off the floor when Kate goes into the stratosphere. She is amazing, as are all the others.
Please do their "Great Movie Medley". It's a medley of songs from movie scores written by the great John Williams. And only one song has words - the rest of them are "instrumental". I swear there are times when they sound like an orchestra.
I can believe that! They are phenomenal singers, for sure. I will definitely do the movies in the not-too-distant future (thinking of doing a theme month per quarter, and movies sounds like a fun one for the next one).
need to turn the volume up of the music
I keep it deliberately lower than mine as it is one thing to help avoid a whole series of copyright claims on the videos. I'm trying to get the balance right (and Voctave was a new group, so their volume balancing is a little different), but it will always be a little quieter.
Voctave has a beautiful sound perfect for Disney. You mentioned The Lion King...PTX does a cover of Can you Feel the Love Tonight?
They certainly do. As for PTX, that's coming next week! ;-)
Such an amazing reaction! I have tons of recs for voctave the biggest one being Prince of Egypt because its incredible. But I also want to suggest a super short one where they do the music from the stampede scene in the Lion King musical. It is literally breathtaking. The first note they come in on doesn't even sound human.
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Thank you so much! I appreciate the recommendations - added to my list.
Not Disney but listen Where are You Christmas
On the list. :-)