Voices of Liberty

One of the most moving experiences at EPCOT can be found in the American Adventure Pavilion. The Voices of Liberty are an 8-part A Capella choir, specializing in songs from the 1700s and 1800s. The choir is made up of both men and women whose voices blend in beautiful harmony. They have been called "the United States vocal ambassadors to the world" and have performed for five American Presidents. They wear costumes representing the early days of the thirteen colonies through the time of the Civil War.

When they enter the rotunda for the first song, the choir director requests that everyone move closer to the center of the room. The acoustics are absolutely amazing! The director introduces each song as well as giving a brief history lesson about where the song came from and why it's important. Then they begin to sing and the music reaches a crescendo - honestly, it gives me chills.

The program of songs changes with the seasons. Most of the year, they sing American patriotic songs. At Christmas, they sing traditional Christmas Carols. One of my favorite songs performed by Voices of Liberty is the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It's enough to make you cry, it's so beautiful. Other favorite songs include the Americana favorites: This Land is Your Land, America the Beautiful, and Ol' Man River. You can also hear Disney favorites such as Golden Dream and When You Wish Upon a Star, as well as classics like Amazing Grace. There is a CD available from Amazon and other retailers featuring a selection of their songs. It is called "A Capella Americana" by the Liberty Voices.

The Voices of Liberty perform several times a day, for approximately 15 minutes, before each showing of the American Adventure. They are definitely worth adding to your "must see list" at EPCOT.

A Pentatonix Christmas

Pentatonix

I love the a capella group Pentatonix. Their arrangements are outstanding and their voices blend and harmonize beautifully. So its always exciting when they release a new album. Their latest, A Pentatonix Christmas, features songs to celebrate the season. The eleven tracks include:

• Beloved carols - "O Come All Ye Faithful", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Coventry Carol"
• Classic Christmas favorites - "White Christmas", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Up On the Housetop"
• Two covers of newer songs - "Coldest Winter" and "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays"
• Two original songs - "The Christmas Sing-Along" and "Good To Be Bad"
• And their take on the Leonard Cohen classic "Hallelujah." (While I don't consider "Hallelujah" to be a Christmas song, I do love the way it sounds.)

Here's the official video of "Hallelujah" by Pentatonix.

The Voices of Liberty Share Their Voices From Home

Disney

The Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite musical groups at Disney World. These a capella singers' voices usually soar to incredible heights in the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT. With the Parks closed, they are sharing their Voices From Home with a medley of "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story and "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin.

I love all of the Voices From Home vieos. They always bring a smile to my face, and I hope they do the same for you.

Pentatonix' New "Home" Medley Is Perfect

Pentatonix

Pentatonix is one of my favorite musical groups. They blend five a capella voices together in incredible harmonies. Their latest album, At Home, is fantastic. My favorite song is "Home", which is a medley made up of more than a dozen songs about home, skillfully blended together.

Amazing, right? And just in case you're curious, here are the 13 songs that make up the medley:

1. “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa
2. “My House” by Flo Rida
3. “Our House” by Madness
4. “Our House” by Crosby, Stills & Nash
5. “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign
6. “House Party” by Sam Hunt
7. “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
8. “Home” by Phillip Phillips
9. “Take Me Home” by Pentatonix
10. “Home” by Michael Bublé
11. “Home” by Daughtry
12. “Mama, I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne
13. “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe

The Prayer - Pentatonix

Pentatonix

"The Prayer" is a lovely song originally recorded by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli for the animated movie Quest for Camelot. It was truly beautiful as a duet, but this a capella version by Pentatonix is stunning.

"The Prayer" can be found on Pentatonix latest Christmas album, Evergreen, which is available in stores now.

Making Christmas - Pentatonix

Pentatonix

A Capella group Pentatonix has released a new album, "Christmas Is Here". In honor of the 25th anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas, they've included their own rendition of "Making Christmas".

Pentatonix Bohemian Rhapsody

Pentatonix

I've always loved Bohemian Rhapsody. Just hearing it makes me smile. For their new album, PTX Vol. IV - Classics, the a capella group Pentatonix decided to cover what they consider the classics, including Bohemian Rhapsody. They did a fantastic job.

Grim Grinning Ghosts

Disney

This a capella version of Grim Grinning Ghosts is fantastic. The group behind the video, VoicePlay, put a really fun twist on this classic Disney song.

Pentatonix + Meghan Trainor = Joy

Pentatonix

Pentatonix's new Christmas album is an absolute delight. "Holidays Around the World" features the a capella group singing alongside amazing performers from around the world. It has a wonderful mix of songs, but I think this one with Meghan Trainor may be my favorite. It's just so happy!

All At Once - The Pixar Singers

Pixar

The Pixar Singers, an a capella group made up of Pixar employees, have recorded a song called "All At Once" to help raise our spirits during these troubled times. The song was written by Julia Cho and Barney Jones, and is dedicated to the frontline workers and their families.

The Voices Of The Voices Of Liberty

Disney

One of my favorite performances at EPCOT is the Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure. The sound of this a capella choir singing under the rotunda is incredible. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the choir, its beginnings, and the performance they planned for the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Pentatonix - Deck the Halls

Pentatonix

Here's a lively and cheerful version of "Deck the Halls" from my favorite a capella group, Pentatonix.

DCappella - Cantina Band

Disney

When DCappella takes on the music from the Star Wars band "Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes", the results are hilarious.

Oga’s Cantina is the perfect location for a little impromptu a capella from outer space. 

Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Pentatonix

Pentatonix

Pentatonix always does an incredible job weaving their voices together in a capella harmonies. Their version of "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" from The Lion King is fantastic.

The Voices of Liberty Sing America the Beautiful

Disney

The Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite performers at Disney World. Their voices blend together in the most beautiful a capella harmonies. As the parks are still closed, they have shared another Voices From Home video. This time it's my favorite song to listen to in the American Adventure Pavilion's rotunda, "America the Beautiful."