The Green Room

By Charlie Pingel

When the phrase "a cappella music" is mentioned, people often think of the “Pitch Perfect” film franchise or of snapping to 1950s doo-wop while in a semicircle. While these are certainly part of the story, the genre of vocal a cappella spans a range as wide as jazz or classical music. 

This rich tradition of unaccompanied vocal music has roots that stretch back centuries and branches into countless styles and cultures. This Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season, you'll have the chance to experience two distinct sides of this genre with performances by Chanticleer on Oct. 2 and Roomful of Teeth on April 9, 2025. Keep reading to explore how this loved genre came to be.

Pre-20th Century - Religious Roots

While today "a cappella" is defined as music performed without instrumental accompaniment, the phrase comes from the Italian alla cappella, meaning "in chapel style." One of the pivotal figures in the history of a cappella is Josquin des Prez (1450–1521). Often hailed as the founder of a cappella music, des Prez was a major force in the vocal renaissance music of the 15th and 16th centuries. His compositions, including “Ave Maria, Virgo Serena,” are considered masterpieces of Christian polyphony, a style where multiple independent melodies intertwine in harmony.

Chanticleer, one of the most famous male a cappella ensembles today, specializes in vocal Renaissance music. Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, Chanticleer was formed with a mission to address the lack of recordings of Renaissance vocal music. The a cappella choir has since expanded its reach to include modern classical, gospel, jazz, and pop music. Listen to its rendition of Josquin des Prez’s “Ave Maria a 6” below:

1900s-1910s - Barbershop Quartets

Though popularized in the 1930s, barbershop music found its roots in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This a cappella style is characterized by close, four-part harmonies, where the tenor, lead, baritone, and bass voices work together to create a rich, resonant sound. The music’s distinctive “ringing” effect is achieved through precise tuning and blending, producing a bright tone that gives the genre its unique charm.

The origins of barbershop are deeply connected to Black communities, where it was often sung informally in barbershops and social gatherings. Despite its later association with White male quartets, the genre’s early development is a crucial and often overlooked part of its history.

1950s-1960s - Doo-wop and Motown

Doo-wop brought a unique vocal style to mainstream music with its tight harmonies and smooth, emotive singing. Groups like The Five Satins and The Drifters popularized the genre, where vocalists often mimicked instrumental sounds. The lowest-pitched voices frequently recreated basslines, while harmonies sung on the same vowel sound mirrored the timbre of guitar chords or brass instruments, creating a rich, layered texture that became a hallmark of the era.

Motown, founded by Berry Gordy Jr., also played a crucial role in the evolution of vocal harmony, though it typically featured instrumental backing. However, many Motown hits showcased powerful, harmonized vocal arrangements that set a standard for vocal performance in popular music. These genres highlighted the versatility and expressiveness of the human voice, paving the way for the rise of modern a cappella.

1980s-1990s - The Contemporary A Cappella Movement

The 1980s and 1990s marked a significant shift in a cappella music as arrangements began to mirror the trending genres of the time. This era introduced more complex, upbeat arrangements that incorporated elements from genres such as pop and rock. Innovations in vocal percussion and beatboxing became prominent, adding new dimensions to a cappella performances.

The founding of the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) in 1991 played a crucial role in this resurgence, providing a platform for a cappella enthusiasts and promoting the genre through resources, events, and community building. During this period, collegiate a cappella groups such as the Tufts Beezlebubs, the NYU N’Harmonics, and the SoCal Vocals gained prominence. These groups helped fuel the movement with their varying arrangements and performances,  helping establish a vibrant, competitive a cappella scene that continues to thrive today.

21st Century - Pop Culture

The 21st century saw a resurgence of a cappella in pop culture, largely driven by the success of the “Pitch Perfect” film franchise and the competition show “The Sing-Off,” which gave rise to groups like Pentatonix, The Filharmonic, and Home Free.

This period also marked the inception of Roomful of Teeth in 2009, a vocal octet renowned for its distinct approach to a cappella and vocal experimentation. The group fuses diverse vocal techniques, drawing from choral singing, opera, throat singing, and other musical genres, forging its innovative sound. Roomful of Teeth has won two Grammy Awards, most recently in 2024 for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. Member and composer Caroline Shaw won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music for their piece “Partita for 8 Voices,” which The Guardian describes as “an explosion of energy cramming speech, song, and virtually every extended vocal technique you can think of.”

Modern a cappella music holds a special place on the UW–Madison campus, with a vibrant scene of eight a cappella groups. Among them, Fundamentally Sound, Pitches & Notes, and Under A-Rest compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), with Shannon Hall hosting an annual Great Lakes Quarterfinal. For a glimpse into competitive a cappella, check out this video of Fundamentally Sound’s 2023 ICCA set:

Between Chanticleer on Oct. 2, Roomful of Teeth on Apr. 9, and year-round concerts from UW–Madison ensembles, there is an abundance of a cappella music to experience this year. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these performances – Secure your seat before Sept. 26 and save 20% with a Classical Series subscription.