SingStrong Brings Voices Together at South Lakes High School

More than 1oo  a cappella singers will gather at in Reston this weekend for SingStrong, An A Cappella Festival.

The multi-day event brings together high school groups as well as professional a cappella singers for a series of concerts, workshops as Master Classes. Concert proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

There are multi-day and single-event tickets. For ticket pricing, click here.

This is the fourth year in a row that South Lakes has hosted an a cappella festival. This is the third year for the current, format, SingStrong. South Lakes Choral Director Rita Gigliotti says holding the event at a high school has a payoff in reaching more student singers.

"Hosting SingStrong has had a positive impact for our school," she says. "We now have two a cappella groups at South Lakes."

Among the weekend highlights: 

Friday, 8 p.m. The SingStrong Friday Night Concert, A Capella Idol, is an a cappella competition in the style of American Idol. Celebrity judges give live feedback.

First place is $1,000, and audience members get to vote using their cell phones to help determine the winner. Competitors include award winning barbershop group Capri; local collegiate powerhouse, GMUnit; 15 women strong, Capital Blend; Ohio's premiere vocal rock group, 4 the Record, and others.

* Saturday, 2 p.m.:  High School singing competition. High school groups will compete for first, second and third place, as well as categories such as best original song, best soloist and best vocal percussion.

* Saturday, 8 p.m:  The Main Event Concert features top names in a capella music. Among the performers:  Street Corner Symphony;  The Bobs;  Canadia's  The Essentials; Swiss Eurovision TV stars, The Glue; Oreo Cookie Theme winners, Blue Jupiter; Harmony Sweepstakes champions West Side 5; Austrian Live Looper, Fii and more.

* Sunday, 3 p.m: Encore performance at Reston Community Center. This show will features The Bobs in a one-hour set, plus shorter sets by The Essentials, The Glue and the West Side 5.

Tickets for the Sunday show are sold separately.  Click here for purchasing information. Tickets prices for the Sunday show: $15, Reston residents; $30 for non residents and SingStrong Weekend Pass holders (on a limited, first come, first serve, availability basis, while supplies last for those who order by telephone.)