In the a cappella world, where it’s not unusual for ensembles to run for generations, Vocal Rush is a relative babe in the woods.
But since Lisa Forkish launched the group at Oakland School for the Arts in 201, it has become a beloved institution with its own set of rituals and traditions (like winning major awards, including five national championship titles). The group’s year-ending performance May 14 at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage is both a celebration of everything the students have achieved and a torch-passing ceremony, as the group bids farewell to graduating seniors and welcomes incoming members.
At one point, Forkish invites all Vocal Rush alumni in the audience to join the group on its anthem, Beyoncé’s “I was Here.”
RISE, a community choir that Forkish leads for teenagers, opens the concert with a few songs, followed by the OSA middle school a cappella ensemble Encore. But the spotlight focuses most intensely on the singers making their last official appearance with the group.
“We honor the seniors, and they sing all of their repertoire, and in a sweet tradition, each senior is honored by an underclassman,” Forkish says. “One other tradition I love is that we invite up new members who auditioned the week before, so next year’s students make their debut with the group.”
Details: 8 p.m.; $20-$24; 510-644-2020, www.thefreight.org.
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