words yvonne teh

Singing a cappella can be a lot more fun than just chanting hymns in solemn cathedrals.

Names can be funny things. Ask Charles David Bosworth, baritone, vocal percussionist and road manager with Chapter 6, an American a cappella group that may have the number 6 in its name but is made up of seven members, one of whom really is named John Musick and, as it so happens, has parents who are both music teachers!

Despite Chapter 6 being a septet though, Bosworth tells bc that the group does “perform as six singers 98% of the time”. This is because one of their members actually “spends most of the time arranging for the group. Mark Grizzard’s arrangements
are top of the line. If we did not have him writing and arranging for us we would not be where we are right now.” Which is pretty high up the American a cappella tree, this all-male group from the American Midwest being the only vocal ensemble thus far to win both the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella (in 2001) and the National Harmony Sweepstakes (three years later).

Chapter 6 was established in 1995 at Illinois’s Millikin University but the current group of tenors Luke Menard, Nathan Pufall, Jarrett Johnson and Mark Grizzard, bass John Musick and baritones AD Stonecipher along with Bosworth – who also answers to Chuck, Chuckles and Boz – only began singing together in 2000 and professionally in 2001. Bosworth shares that, in the US, “There is a rich tradition of a cappella groups in many universities. Perhaps,” he muses, “it’s camaraderie; perhaps it’s the opportunity to be a part of an ensemble that you most likely will not be able to be a part of at any other time in your life. Singing in a small a cappella ensemble is a unique experience and I think this is why people flock to it.”

Returning to the group’s name, Bosworth cheerily gives assurances that Chapter 6 has nothing to do with Chapter 7 “and bankruptcy, and we hope it stays that way!” On a more serious note: “The name is a reference to the Book of Acts Chapter 6, Verses 3-4. These verses talk about seven men being chosen by the [Holy S]pirit to help the apostles distribute food in the days of the early church. We are six men on stage but seven total with Mark as our arranger, soundman and vocal fill. We take our music to be the food that we distribute. Thus, Chapter 6.”

As those comments show, the members of Chapter 6 make no bones about being religiously inclined. And a look at the tour schedule on its official website reveals that the group’s performances often take place, true to the literal meaning of the term ‘a cappella’ (Italian for ‘in the chapel’), in church settings. Nevertheless, according to Bosworth, “We don’t classify ourselves as a ‘Christian singing group’ but rather a group of guys following Christ who enjoy singing a cappella.”

Furthermore, “We cover the gamut in our show. We add Christian songs because that’s a very large part of who we are and we want to be honest about who we are on stage. But we are also big into jazz chords, laughter, and music from several different decades and styles.” Indeed, Bosworth estimates that, “Only about 15 percent of our total repertoire (and that includes Christmas songs) is Christian. Our typical show usually has no more than three Christian songs max in it. One to two is pretty normal. Ninety percent of our show is simply secular, family-friendly jazz and comedy infused a cappella.”

Bosworth points out that Chapter 6’s signature pieces include secular songs like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and “a new arrangement of Rhapsody In Blue that features Mark on the piano while the [rest of the] guys cover the orchestra parts with their voices.” Then there is the song entitled Ode to Krispy Kreme, which, Bosworth divulges, “We catch a lot of slack for because roughly half the group doesn’t eat Krispy Kreme donuts!” Still, he goes on to add, “I suppose it’s possible the other half make up for them, though.”

Ironically, until I had informed them otherwise, the Chapter 6 folks were not aware that Krispy Kreme donuts are well known in Hong Kong. They were intending not to include the Krispy Kreme song in their Hong Kong show so as to prevent confusion and ensure the show travelled better outside of their home country. Now, however, they are having second thoughts about that decision and, instead, are leaning towards the idea of “bringing our typical show to Hong Kong and doing it the best we can”.

The way Bosworth looks at it, “When it comes to our regular a cappella show, we want to create a production that’s fun for a wide variety of ages – a show that college age students will enjoy as much as parents and their younger children… We strive to put on a show that is professional, entertaining, energetic, and tasteful.”

I ask him about a cappella’s generally wholesome, clean-cut reputation. “I think there are a lot of people out there that picture the somewhat corny, 12 member all-male group, with the clean-cut dew when they hear the word a cappella,” he notes. “Take for instance the recent movie The Break Up featuring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. They portray an all-male a cappella group as a corny, nerdy bunch of guys that wear flood pants and plaid shirts.”

Bosworth goes on to maintain that, “I’m not quite sure why a cappella gets portrayed this way – especially when you think of the groups currently out there on the professional scene like The Real Group and Take 6 who are anything but that.” And for whom he evidently has quite a bit of respect for.

At the same time, he also wishes for us to know that, “I believe we’re able to lock six part chords with the best of them!” If so, it looks like Chapter 6 has got quite the show waiting for us come January 5 and – you guessed it! – 6!

Chapter 6 will perform in concert in Hong Kong as part of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s A Cappella Series. Its first show will be on Saturday, January 5, at the Yuen Long Theatre’s Auditorium while its second show will take place on Sunday, January 6, at the Sha Tin Town Hall’s Auditorium. Showtime for both evenings is 8pm. Tickets are $200 to $100 for the Yuen Long concert and $240 to $120 for the one at Sha Tin from URBTIX, 2734 9009.