Skyline Blues
Skyline Blues | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Skyline High School (Michigan) |
| Genres | Contemporary pop a cappella |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Website | https://sites.google.com/aaps.k12.mi.us/skyline-blues/ |
Skyline Blues (informally shortened to just Blues) is a mixed competitive high school a cappella ensemble from Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 2008, the group normally holds between 15 and 18 members.[1] Due to its relatively large size, Blues has graduated more than 80 alumni since their first senior class in 2012.[2] Blues has professionally recorded three EP's and one single since 2016. Their recordings have appeared on five nationwide a cappella compilation albums and earned two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) nominations. Since 2010, Blues has competed annually in the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) and has earned national acclaim for their performances, including an 11th-place finish overall in 2018 and a 2nd-place finish in 2019. Prior to their departure for ICHSA finals in 2019, Skyline Blues appeared on WXYZ Detroit Channel 7 Action News. In 2020, The A Cappella Archive ranked Skyline Blues at #11 all-time among all ICHSA-competing groups.[3]
The group mostly performs at local events, usually at Skyline High School or one of Ann Arbor's two other comprehensive high schools. Outside of Michigan, they have performed numerous times at various venues in Ohio; as well as Memphis, Tennessee; and New York City.
History[edit]
Skyline Blues was founded in concurrence with the opening of Skyline High School in 2008 by choral director Lyn CieChanski. They first competed at ICHSA in March 2010 at the Great Lakes Semifinal alongside Skyline's treble choral ensemble, Bel Canto, each group consisting of only 9th and 10th grade students. Blues placed 3rd, while Bel Canto placed 2nd.[4] Skyline Blues placed 3rd again at the Great Lakes Semifinal in 2012 and 2013.[5][6] In 2016, ICHSA expanded its tournament structure to include a quarterfinal round, allowing a broader spectrum of groups to earn recognition for their performances. At their quarterfinal debut, Blues finished in 3rd place, only one point behind Port Clinton High School's Touch of Class, and failed to advance to the Midwest Semifinal, but Lucia Renken earned the Outstanding Soloist award for "Define Me."[7] Blues' 2017 season was more successful, with the group placing 2nd at quarterfinals and 3rd at the Great Lakes Semifinal in Ohio.[8][9] In spring of 2017, Blues was invited to perform at the National A Cappella Convention (NACC) in Memphis, Tennessee, marking their longest ever trip from home. Skyline Blues' 2018 ICHSA set was their first to receive widespread acclaim, placing 1st at quarterfinals, a controversial 2nd at the Great Lakes Semifinal, and 3rd in the virtual wild card round.[10] The 2018 set also earned an Outstanding Soloist award for Lucia Renken and an Outstanding Arrangement award for Dan Kennedy, both for the song "Undeniable You," as well as two awards for Outstanding Choreography – one for Amanda Wilhoit's work on "Human" and one for the entire group.[11][12] The 2019 ICHSA season was Skyline Blues' most successful to date, placing 1st at quarterfinals with a group-best 409 points, 1st at the Great Lakes semifinal, and 2nd at ICHSA finals in New York City, as well as earning an award for Outstanding Vocal Percussion for Chris Ekpiken and two awards for Outstanding Choreography.[13][14][15] In 2020, Blues placed 2nd in the quarterfinal round before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17]
| Year | Event | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | A Competition in Quarantine! for Autism Awareness
Virtual fundraiser hosted by Millburn High School Soulfege |
3rd Place ($342 raised) | [18][19] |
| ICHSA Midwest Semifinal | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | [17] | |
| Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards | Nominee – Best High School Solo (Jake Tabatowski-Bush for "Drive" from Voices of the Underground)
Nominee – Best High School Song ("Drive" from Voices of the Underground) |
[19][20][21] | |
| ICCA/ICHSA Semifinal Send-Off Concert | Featured performance by the University of Michigan DJs | ||
| ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal #2 | 2nd Place (372 points)
Outstanding Choreography (for the entire set) |
[16][19][22] | |
| 2019 | International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella | Guest performance | [19][23] |
| International Championship of High School A Cappella | 2nd Place (338 points)
Outstanding Vocal Percussion (Chris Ekpiken for the entire set) |
[15][19][24][25] | |
| ICCA/ICHSA Finals Send-Off Concert | Featured performance by the University of Michigan G-Men | [26] | |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | 1st Place (369 points)
Outstanding Choreography (for the entire set) |
[14][19][25][27] | |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #2 | 1st Place (409 points)
Outstanding Choreography (for the entire set) |
[13][19][27] | |
| 2018 | ICHSA Wild Card
Virtual competition hosted by Varsity Vocals |
3rd Place (326 points) | [10][19] |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | 2nd Place (374 points)
Outstanding Soloist (Lucia Renken for "Undeniable You" Outstanding Choreography (Amanda Wilhoit for "Human") |
[12][19] | |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #3 | 1st Place (404 points)
Outstanding Arrangement (Dan Kennedy for "Undeniable You") Outstanding Choreography (for the entire set) |
[11][19] | |
| 2017 | National A Cappella Convention | Guest performance | [19][28] |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | 3rd Place (297 points) | [9][19] | |
| ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #2 | Guest performance | [19] | |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #1 | 2nd Place (293 points) | [8][19] | |
| 2016 | ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #3 | Guest performance | [19] |
| ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal #1 | 3rd Place (339 points)
Outstanding Soloist (Lucia Renken for "Define Me") |
[7][19] | |
| 2015 | ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | - | [19][29] |
| ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #2 | Guest performance | [19] | |
| 2014 | ICHSA Michigan Semifinal | - | [19][30] |
| 2013 | ICCA Great Lakes Semifinal | Guest performance | [19] |
| ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | 3rd Place (305 points) | [6][19] | |
| 2012 | ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | 3rd Place (360 points) | [5][19] |
| 2011 | ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | - | [19][31] |
| 2010 | ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal | 3rd Place (292 points) | [4][19] |
Discography[edit]
In 2016, Skyline Blues professionally recorded their first song, "Define Me," which was not officially released until 2018. Skyline Blues' performance at the 2018 Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was recorded live and released as part of a compilation of performers from across the state of Michigan. Following the success of their ICHSA performances in 2018, Blues recorded their first EP, Undeniable. Their second EP, Voices of the Underground, was released in 2019 featuring Blues' entire 2019 ICHSA set. Breathe, their third EP, which features their 2020 ICHSA set, was released in 2020. Skyline Blues' music has been featured on five nationwide compilation albums and nominated for two CARAs.
| Work | Song | Original Artist | Students | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breathe (2020) | "Keep Breathing 1 / Youth" | Ingrid Michaelson / Shawn Mendes ft. Khalid | Soloists ("Keep Breathing" intro): Atea Nelson (21) and Choah Lee (22)
Soloists ("Youth"): Shravan Swaminathan (23) and Olivia Miner (20) Percussion: Rajada Noblin (21) |
- | |
| "Keep Breathing 2 / Human" | Ingrid Michaelson / Christina Perri | Soloists ("Keep Breathing" reprise): Thomas Riccinto (22) and Nikki Lama (20)
Soloist ("Human"): Lily Ohye (20) |
- | ||
| "Older" | Ben Platt | Soloist: Elena Garcia-Schroeder (20)
Percussion: Gabe Hill (23) |
Featured on BOHSA 2021: The Best of High School A Cappella compilation album | [32] | |
| "Quarter Past Midnight" | Bastille | Soloist: Derek Mrachko (20)
Percussion: Gabe Hill (23) |
- | ||
| Voices of the Underground (2019) | "Green Light with 00000 Million" | Lorde / Bon Iver | Soloist: Emma Throm (19)
Percussion: Chris Ekpiken (20) |
Featured on BOHSA 2020: The Best of High School A Cappella compilation album
Featured on Voices Only 2020, Vol. 2 compilation album |
[33][34] |
| "Warrior" | Demi Lovato | Soloist: Elena Garcia-Schroeder (20)
Percussion: Chris Ekpiken (20) |
- | ||
| "This Is the New Year" | A Great Big World | Soloists: Heavyn Dyer-Jones (20), Thomas Riccinto (22), Jake Tabatowski-Bush (19), and Tessa Wilson (19)
Percussion: Chris Ekpiken (20) |
- | ||
| "Drive" | Ben Rector | Soloist: Jake Tabatowski-Bush (19)
Percussion: Chris Ekpiken (20) |
2020 CARA nominee for Best High School Solo (Jake Tabatowski-Bush)
2020 CARA nominee for Best High School Song |
[20][21] | |
| Undeniable (2018) | "Undeniable You" | Jukebox the Ghost | Soloist: Lucia Renken (18)
Arrangement: Dan Kennedy (18) |
Featured on BOHSA 2019: The Best of High School A Cappella compilation album | [35] |
| "Butterfly" | Rajaton | Soloist: Camille Schuster (19) | Featured on Voices Only 2019, Vol. 2 compilation album | [36] | |
| Michigan Music Conference 2018 – live recordings | "Boys in the Street" | Greg Holden | Soloist: Tessa Wilson (19) | - | |
| "Human" | Rag'n'Bone Man | Soloist ("Human"): Makayla Franklin (18)
Soloist ("Boys in the Street" reprise): Tessa Wilson (19) Percussion: Chris Ekpiken (20) |
- | ||
| "Undeniable You" | Jukebox the Ghost | Soloist: Lucia Renken (18)
Arrangement: Dan Kennedy (18) |
- | ||
| "Keep Me Crazy" | Sheppard | Soloist: Zori Martinez (19)
Percussion: Caleb Heemstra (18) |
- | ||
| "Define Me" (2016) | "Define Me" | Ryan Amador ft. Jo Lambert | Soloists: Lucia Renken (18) and Arden Siegel (16) | - |
Notable alumni[edit]
- Chris Ekpiken (20) - Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-Off finalist[37]
- Trevor Miner (17) - released a single, "The Future Is Now," under the pseudonym T-Rev in 2018[38]
- Hayla Alawi (16) - music director for the University of Michigan DJs a cappella group (2018-2020)[39]
- Abby Mrachko (14) - national champion synchronized swimmer for the Lindenwood University Lions (2014-2018)
- Tim Everett (14) - released four singles under the pseudonym Lotus Hotel since 2018[40]
Media recognition[edit]
- February 11, 2020 - weloveannarbor.com article[22]
- February 3, 2020 - Acaville Radio podcast Competition Countdown[41]
- January 2020 - Acaville Radio podcast The Pulse[42]
- May 10, 2019 - weloveannarbor.com (no longer available)[43]
- May 7, 2019 - weloveannarbor.com[25]
- April 27, 2019 - FloVoice.com[44]
- April 24, 2019 - mlive.com[24]
- April 24, 2019 - WXYZ Detroit Channel 7 Action News[45]
- April 15, 2019 - WEMU 89.1[46]
- April 10, 2019 - weloveannarbor.com (no longer available)[43]
- April 9, 2019 - AAPS District News[26]
- February 26, 2019 - AAPS District News[27]
- February 26, 2019 - weloveannarbor.com (no longer available)[43]
- February 26, 2018 - FloVoice.com[47]
External links[edit]
- Skyline Blues Official Website
- Official Skyline Blues Facebook Page
- Official Skyline Blues Instagram Page
- Official Skyline Blues Twitter Page
- Skyline Blues on Apple Music
- Skyline Blues on Google Play
- Skyline Blues on Spotify
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Skyline Blues - About". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "Skyline Blues - Alumni". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "The A Cappella Archive - Rankings & Records". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "2010 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2012 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 "2013 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 "2016 ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal #1 Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 "2017 ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #1 Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 "2017 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 "2018 ICHSA Wild Card Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 "2018 ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #3 Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 12.0 12.1 "2018 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 13.0 13.1 "2019 ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal #2 Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 14.0 14.1 "2019 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 15.0 15.1 "2019 ICHSA Finals Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 16.0 16.1 "2020 ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal #2 Results". Varsity Vocals. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 17.0 17.1 "2020 ICHSA Midwest Semifinal at Centerville High School *CANCELLED*". Varsity Vocals. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "A Competition in Quarantine Results!". YouTube. 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 19.14 19.15 19.16 19.17 19.18 19.19 19.20 19.21 19.22 19.23 "Skyline Blues - Recognition". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "2020 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Nominees". Contemporary A Cappella Society. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "2020 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Results". Contemporary A Cappella Society. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Jacoby, Terry. "Skyline Blues place a strong second at 2020 ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinals". www.weloveannarbor.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "2019 ICCA Finals event program" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Skyline a cappella group heads to NYC for world championship". mlive. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Jacoby, Terry. "Top of the charts: Skyline Blues finish second at 2019 International Championship of High School A Cappella Finals in NYC". www.weloveannarbor.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Editor, AAPS News (2019-04-09). "Skyline Blues and the U-M G-Men to co-host benefit send-off concert at Skyline on April 15". AAPS District News. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Editor, AAPS News (2019-02-26). "Skyline Blues creating more than just beautiful music". AAPS District News. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "National A Cappella Convention 2017 Schedule". nacc17.sched.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "2015 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal". Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "2014 ICHSA Michigan Semifinal". Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "2010 ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinal". Retrieved 2020-10-07. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "BOHSA 2021". Varsity Vocals. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
- ↑ "BOHSA 2020". Varsity Vocals. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "Voices Only 2020 - The best a cappella tracks on 2 volumes". www.voicesonlyacappella.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "BOHSA 2019". Varsity Vocals. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "Voices Only 2019 - The best a cappella tracks on 2 volumes". www.voicesonlyacappella.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "An Interview with Chris Ekpiken | Ann Arbor Family". annarborfamily.com. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
- ↑ "T-Rev". Spotify. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- ↑ "Members". DJs A Cappella. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- ↑ "Lotus Hotel". Spotify. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- ↑ "Skyline Blues - Competition Countdown". Spotify. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "BOCA/BOHSA 2020 - Skyline Blues - The Pulse". Spotify. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 "Skyline Blues - Media". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "INTONENATION Takes Top Honors at ICHSA 2019". www.flovoice.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "Ann Arbor Skyline High School A cappella group competing at national competition". WXYZ. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "An Evening of A Cappella Benefit Concert: Skyline Blues and the UMich G-Men". www.wemu.org. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
- ↑ "The Greatest From Great Lakes To Vie For ICHSA Semifinal Title". www.flovoice.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
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