A Cappella Quartet Tonic Sol-Fa Comes to The Temple Theater May 19
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Performing Arts is pleased to announce ground-breaking a cappella ensemble, TONIC SOL-FA, is coming to the Temple Theater May 19 for two performances: 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets to TONIC SOL-FA can be purchased at DMPA.org, the Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at (515) 246-2300.
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 CD 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 and Garrison Keillor.
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 today. 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 recently finished recording their latest album, entitled “30K,” a new, collaborative recording in a catalog of numerous award-winning DVD and CD projects highlighting three 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 1,800 times in 47 states and Canada. The new PBS special will be shown throughout 2018, 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.
For additional information about TONIC SOL-FA, please visit DMPA.org.
About Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Performing Arts is a private not-for-profit organization celebrating 38 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states on three stages in Des Moines – the Civic Center, the Stoner Theater and the Temple Theater. The organization also operates Cowles Commons (formerly Nollen Plaza), a longtime Des Moines landmark currently under redesign and renovation. Des Moines Performing Arts is a presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is home to many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. For more information, visit DMPA.org.