Renowned men’s A Cappella group The House Jacks ~ often billed as “the original rock
band without instruments”~ visited Shaker Heights High School as artists in residence
last October for a two-day A Cappella Vocal Music Festival. The five members, who
include Austin Willacy (SHHS ’87), conducted workshops with choir students on the art
of A Cappella singing, vocal percussion, close harmony blending, vocal improvisation,
and music career management. The festival culminated with a Concert Workshop
presentation where students shared the stage with the House Jacks to show what they
learned. The residency program was made possible by contributions from the Madeline
and Dennis Block Fund of the Shaker Schools Foundation and the Martha Holden
Jennings Foundation, in collaboration with the ChOrD parent organization.
The
House
Jacks
16 SHAKERONLINE.COM | WINTER 2015