University of Exeter Student Acapella Group To Perform At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August

Illuminations will showcase A Pitch Piper’s Guide to the Melody at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Image courtesy of Webb Street Studios.

EXETER, 12-Jun-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — A student a cappella group based at the University of Exeter is set to perform at the world’s largest arts festival.

Illuminations will showcase their energetic and eclectic set, A Pitch Piper’s Guide to the Melody, at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

The genre-spanning performance will feature songs ranging from alternative rock and indie-pop to Disney tunes and Broadway favourites.

Emily Adams, 19, is a second year English student and co-producer of Illuminations. She said: “This is our first year at the Edinburgh Fringe and our biggest performance yet. We’ll be singing such a variety of songs so there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.

“I’d never sung a cappella before coming to University, but I’m so glad that I decided to get involved. I love being part of a tight-knit group and being able to perform on stage with friends!”

Illuminations was founded in 2011 and now consists of 15 performers, all students at the University of Exeter. They are regular performers at pubs and bars across the city and have sung at a number of charity gigs.

Earlier this year Illuminations made the semi-finals of the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella (ICCA), competing in the New Wimbledon Theatre in London.

The talent of individual members has also been recognised; Phil George, 20, a second-year Mathematics and Computer Science student who provides Illuminations’ vocal percussion, received the title of Best Collegiate Beatboxer in the ICCA quarter finals.

He said: “I wanted a drumkit for a while but couldn’t afford one, fast forward three years and I’m at university beatboxing instead. I love Illuminations because it makes me grow as a beatboxer, I’ve gotten so much better in the past year.”

Matthew Braz, 19, a first year Economics student and Musical Director of Illuminations, was also awarded Best Vocalist of 2017 by the University Music Society. He said: “I love a cappella and there really is nothing better than to do something you love with people who are basically your second family.”

Calma Hawkes, 20, a second-year Natural Sciences student and Musical Director of Illuminations added: “Come to our show for an all-round experience of simply great songs, from alternative rock that will make you cry to Broadway favourites to brighten your day.”

Illuminations will be performing at Edinburgh Fringe from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 August at the Space on the Mile, Space 3.

To book tickets, visit the Edinburgh Fringe website.

SOURCE: University of Exeter

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