Mt. Sac's dynamic ensemble Singcopation, founded in 1997 by Director of Choral Activities Bruce Rogers, consists of 12 auditioned male and female student vocal jazz specialists. These exceptional singers have taken home a variety of trophies from vocal jazz competitions, been named 'Most Outstanding College Vocal Jazz Group in the Country' by Downbeat. On the 14 generally accompanied (Piano, Drums & Bass) tunes of 'Drive,' Singcopation shows us a level of sophistication and polish rarely found at the college level. Particularly fine are Steve Allen's 'This Could be the Start of Something Big,' the scatty, salsa-flavored 'Virou Areia,' the sexy, silly, nearly a cappella 'I Feel So Smoochie,' a very cool arrangement of 'Nature Boy,' Bobby McFerrin's sweet a cappella (of course) title tune, a moody cover of Lennon/McCartney's 'In My Life,' John Coltrane's 'Moment's Notice,' a smooth, rhythmic cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim's 'Corcovado,' and very nice vocal percussion on the a cappella 'Virtual Insanity.' We are big fans of Singcopation, and enjoyed every cut of 'Drive!'

Mt. Sac's Singcopation, founded in 1997, consists of twelve auditioned singers who specialize in vocal jazz music. They have been invited to perform at many jazz conventions including the International Assn. of Jazz Educators, LA Vocal Jazz Workshop, and they have won the 2001, -2, -4, -5 & -6 Downbeat Magazine award for being the #1 college vocal jazz choir in the country. They are directed by Mt. Sac's award-winning Director of Choral Activities, Bruce Rogers, who is also co-founder of the LA Vocal Jazz Workshop. There are 11 songs, some accompanied by a rhythm section of drums, piano and bass. Our first favorite would have to be Monk/Hendricks' scatty 'In Walked Bud' with wonderful vocal percussion and bass; Peggy Lee's 'I Don't Know Enough About You,' the moody title tune by Bernard Ighner, Cole Porter's 'Get Out of Town,' a sweet harmonied, a cappella cover of Hoagy Carmichael's 'I Get Along Without You Very Well,' a bluenote arrangement of Peter Gabriel's 'In Your Eyes' and an a cappella cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing,' also with great vocal percussion. Hot, entertaining stuff from one of our best collegiate jazz ensembles!

The 13 auditioned Mt. San Antonio students who form Singcopation, which was formed in 1997 by their director Bruce Rogers, specialize in vocal jazz music. They have carried off numerous trophies from vocal jazz competitions, and are regularly described as '#1 college vocal jazz choir in the country by Downbeat Magazine. On most songs the group is accompanied by a jazz band with Piano, Bass, Drums and Latin Percussion, but have a pair of very fine a cappella covers, 'I Remember You' and the 5th Dimension's 'Grazin' In The Grass,' both of which have some sweet vocal percussion and solo work. Other favorites are the title tune, a wonderfully rhythmic 'So Danco Samba,' a manic, scatty 'Down for Double,' a kick-butt 'Up Jumped the Boogie,' a very smooth, driving 'Bittersweet,' a swinging, sexy 'Wild Women Don't Worry' and a sassy, jazzy cover of Sting's 'If You Love Somebody.' 'Specialize in vocal jazz music' aside, these young men and women can sing their butts off, and 'Stompin'' is Big Fun, as lively, juicy and enjoyable as any jazz recording we've heard in a long time. You're gonna love this one!

During the past 12 years since its founding by Music Director Bruce Rogers, the 52-strong, mixed-voice Mt. Sac Chamber Singers has been extremely active, winning a variety of awards, accepting invitations to appear at numbers ACDA conventions, a special guest appearance at Carnegie Hall, and winning numerous first place honors throughout Europe at International choral competitions. 'Horizons' features 16 songs, with some drum and piano accompaniment. Favorites are the powerful, rhythmic 'Annua gaudia,' Wm. Byrd's lovely a cappella 'Laudibus in sanctis,' Maurice Hauptmann's lively 'Zigeunerlied,' Peter Louis Van Dijk's dramatic, rhythmic, surprising title tune, Z. Randall Stroope's manic, driving 'The Conversion of Saul,' Jan Magne Forde's delicate 'Bruremarsj,' Brahms' soaring 'Waldesnacht, du Wunderkuhle,' and Jiri Laburda's ringing 'Isli tri panenky.' These are eclectic, often difficult tunes to perform, usually only selected if your ensemble has the vocal chops to actually handle them. The Mt. Sac Chamber Singers is one of those rare groups, which is why they are beloved by audiences and judges alike!

For an auditioned group of 32 mixed-voice student singers founded only 12 years ago by Music Director Bruce Roberts, the Mt. Sac Chamber singers has been very busy. In addition to appearances at ACDA conventions, the group won first place honors at International Competitions in Wales, and the 'Grand Prix' prize for best choir in Varna, Bulgaria. 'Hosanna' has 16 impressive selections, Alessandro Scarlatti's 'Exsultate Deo,' Palestrina's 'Super flumina Babylonis,' the title tune by Brent Pierce, Lauridsen's 'Amor, io sento L'alma,' 'God Be In My Head,' Brahms' lovely 'Neckerien,' Eric Whitacre's 'Sleep,' Stephen Hatfield's rhythmic, joyous 'Son de Camaguey' and Moses Hogan's wonderful 'Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel.' This is not an easy repertoire to perform, and even harder to perform as beautifully and effortlessly as the Mt. Sac Chamber Singers do here. Great choral music by one of America's best vocal ensembles!