Turner Bowman remembers his fascination the first time he heard a cappella singers use their voices to imitate the sound of guitars and drums.
"I thought it was amazing," he said. "They were singing these regular songs you hear on the radio, but they only used their voices."
Bowman is now a senior at Reynolds High School where he is a part of an a cappella group. He performed yesterday at the sixth annual A Cappella Jam for Hope.
Several different a cappella groups from at least three schools, including Reynolds, UNC Wilmington and Elon University performed at Reynolds Auditorium to raise money for earthquake relief in Haiti.
The concert had originally been scheduled for February, but was canceled because of snow.
The concerts have raised about $20,000 over the past five years for a different group each year, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, AIDS Care Service and the Ronald McDonald House, said Terry Hicks, a choral music teacher at Reynolds High School.
A cappella music is growing in popularity nationwide, because of the television show Glee, Hicks said.
The students like the fact that they can use popular songs and arrange their own versions, he said.
Bowman said that even if someone doesn't have a strong voice, they can add to the group.
"There are so many people your voice will add some key aspect to the group," Bowman said.
Carol Eickmeyer, who was in the audience yesterday, said she has attended the concerts for the past five years.
"We love the energy of the kids and the fact that they hit almost all the notes," she said. "And it's for a good cause."
mgiunca@wsjournal.com
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