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Tonic Sol-fa in Concert
Tonic Sol-fa has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest, but also one of the most successful independent acts in America. In addition to substantial album sales of its own independent releases (2,000,000 copies sold), the group has toured extensively throughout the US and abroad, building their financial base with a steady list of festivals and private shows that eventually led to numerous sold-out tours of theaters and small arenas.
Tonic Sol-fa began at St. John's University in Central Minnesota and includes lead vocalist Shaun Johnson, tenor and vocal percussionist, Greg Bannwarth, baritone and percussionist/vocal percussionist, Theo Brown, and bass, Jared Dove. Together the group reached national prominence with appearances on NBC's Today Show and in Newsweek magazine. Along the way, they shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers including Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy and Weird Al Yankovic, and were recently inducted in the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame alongside Prince.
From the group's onset, the members have overseen and operated the business of Tonic Sol-fa with a only a small team of driven supporters acting as managers, lawyers, and publicists, and increased revenue from a few thousand dollars in their first year to a multi-million dollar limited liability company. The group overcame a number of obstacles, including an unspoken apprehension to a cappella acts by individuals in the music industry and having a name that was anything but catchy (a system of naming the notes of the scale, usually do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, developed to teach singing). Still, the group persevered, recording and manufacturing its own records and selling them to a growing legion of fans via the Internet and social networking sites, in the lobby of the theaters where they performed, and through a growing national distribution. One could say they gained their current consumer popularity the old fashioned way; they earned it.
At present, Tonic Sol-fa is putting the finishing touches on an album of requested originals, a collaborative recording in a catalog of numerous award-winning DVD and CD projects highlighting four indelible voices. This outstanding blend has resulted in multiple Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards, NACA (National Association of Collegiate Activities) Entertainer of the Year nominations, considerable national press, and has landed their music on the best-selling seasonal DVD at Wal-Mart, The 12 Dogs of Christmas.
Further Tonic Sol-fa has released three television specials, which have aired over 1800 times in forty-seven states and Canada. The new PBS special will be shown through 2020, continuing to spread Tonic Sol-fa's unique sound to an ever-growing audience.
Tonic Sol-fa continues to tour, record, and conscientiously run their business in the only way familiar to them – differently.
Intermission
Encore
Tonic Sol-Fa surely knows how to prepare an audience for the Christmas holiday season. I do not know of anyone who could attend their performance and not feel completely revitalized for the upcoming celebration of Christmas.
Tonic Sol-Fa do an excellent job of entertaining and singing. Personally I would prefer more singing than entertaining but maybe that's just me.
The complete show from start to finish was outstanding. They put themselves in the music and were very entertaining. Their sound is second to none and hopefully they will come to Iowa during the summer of 2012. Keep up the great work & doing what you are doing. If it isn't broken don't fix it.
outstanding performance....as usual. it is just amazing how 4 young men can make the whole auditorium come alive...WITHOUT the aid of instruments save a tamborine. The vocals are wonderful and the combination of sounds are almost eerie.
Year 5 for me and still the best performance I ever attend. I always leave feeling like a million bucks. The combination of music and comedy are not matched by any other group I've seen. I was given free tickets to the Blenders this year, so I decided to "try them out". Hands down, Tonic Sol Fa is just the complete package, and great for any age. Phenomenal voices and great entertainment!
Tonic Sol-Fa rocked the Hoyt Sherman Place with their beautiful versions of Christmas classics, as well as their own original music. The beautiful blending of their voices and vocal percussion provide an unbelievably beautiful mix of sound, which is only magnified by the acoustics of the theater. This was demonstrated perfectly when the guys lowered their microphones and sang one song without amplification. A great show for all ages, as evidenced by the long line of fans seeking autographs or just meeting the guys after the show.
Fabulous show!! I would love to see them again and again. They may become a Christmas tradition for us!
The show was great. Mix of music and humor was just right. Just wish Ticketmaster wouldn't charge outrageous charges on top of the ticket price. RIDICULOUS!
Tonic Sol-Fa put on a great performance. Really got me into the holiday spirit. These guys are amazing singers and put on the best shows!
This was good - but not great. The lead singer is jerky and gyrates with a stiff, robotic "stylized" manner that is completely distracting. The group makes great music when all four men really "sing", but they do it too infrequently. Most of the time, 2 singers make musical noises and sounds, and two men sing. All four men need to sing, more often. That rocks, as does the bass. Also, too much pitching of the CDs. Really? Three times in the show? Tacky!
Tonic Sol Fa as always puts on a great show. They are a great group to watch and listen to. I look forward to seeing them every year at Hoyt Sherman. I thought the show ended earlier this year then in previous years so that was a little surprising.
Awesome concert. Every year they are better and better. Tonic Solfa is an amazing group to watch preform. With a great sound that fills the room and also your body, they move seamlessly from song to song. Adding splashes of humor and audience interaction no matter what the age. It's my favorite show to see every year. And can always afford their products.
This was my 2nd visit to see this group at Mayo Civic, and I got what I expected in a great show. When you sing acapella, you'd better have great voices, and they certainly have those. I love the upbeat and fast moving tempo of most of the music I've heard in my two concerts more than the slower stuff which I encountered on a couple of their CDs that I purchased. When they get the weird sounds and noises they use in the background singing wound up and winging, it is really great when it is done with the amazing harmony these four guys can produce. So keep them coming back. I will certainly be in the audience if I can be.
This is my sixth year seeing TonicSol-Fa and they never disappoint.
Great show - and an amazing way to get into the Christmas Spirit.
Great holiday show, as usual. Tonic versions of classic Christmas songs, as well as some new songs that make us anxious for the next Christmas CD. Awesome medley of most requested holiday songs, as well as their own special version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Great use of lighting and backdrop curtains make it appear that Greg is much more limber than he really is!!! ;-)
The holiday concert was just awesome as usual! Will continue to attend every year.
My husband and I drove 2-1/2 hours to see the show and brought along my 84-year-old mother who was seeing the group for the first time. She couldn't stop smiling (nor could my husband and myself). When the show ended she said "Oh, I wish they could sing for another 2 hours". Nothing but the best for my mom will ever do, and this certainly will be a memory she will never forget! Thanks for doing what you do!
Tonic Sol-Fa was a worthwhile concert. Not only was the A cappella incredible, but the blend of comedy helped to keep the show interesting. What a fun event to be a part of.
I am looking forward to see another show soon. I really enjoy listening to the CD I purchased.
