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DURHAM -- Rhythm & Blue, Duke University's co-ed a cappella group, passed the audition Saturday at Northgate Mall, winning a chance to open for the national a cappella touring group Rockappella, who will perform at the Carolina Theatre Dec. 10.
The ensemble was among about a dozen groups and individuals who auditioned in the afternoon for the chance. Earlier in the audition, shoppers at Northgate Mall who ventured near the Macy's court area ended up going to church, at least for a few minutes. The Mighty Gospel Inspirations of Durham sang "Lay My Burden Down" -- with call-and-response vocal arrangements and hand claps. As the deep, percussive sounds resonated off the space, shoppers stopped to listen, and a few sang along.
"All right now," said Alphonso Hopkins of Durham after the group finished the first song. Hopkins was listening to the Inspirations with his wife, Novella, who said the ensemble's sound was "just awesome."
After their audition, The Mighty Gospel Inspirations stepped over to Flashlight Barber Shop, where customers heard an impromptu concert.
Groups sang an eclectic variety of music, all a cappella, during the afternoon. While most of the contestants pre-registered, Sharron Peaks of Durham just happened to be passing through and auditioned on the spot, singing two spirituals.
Rockapella asked the Carolina Theatre to help find a local group to perform at the December concert. The theater later decided to hold a public audition, and got a good response from local musicians, said Betty Rhodes, community outreach coordinator for the Carolina Theatre. The theater would like to have similar events in the future, said Aaron Bare, marketing director for the theater.
Zykia Rogers, an eighth-grader from Greensboro, heard about the audition from her grandmother who lives in Durham and decided to audition. She sings in church and school chorus. Saturday, one of the tunes she sang was "At Last," which Etta James made famous.
Later in the afternoon Doppler Effect, whose members also sing in the N.C. General Assembly Chorus, were scheduled to sing a medley based on the Beatles' tune "Blackbird" and the traditional blues song "Bye, Bye, Blackbird." They gave a reporter and others gathered in the commons area a brief preview of a traditional barbershop quartet tune.
Other performers were the Hillside High School Singers, and Second Shift, a Triangle-based group who did a reharmonized arrangement of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," along with "You're All I Need to Get By."
Leviticus, a quartet of high school and college students from Wake County, did two examples of their inspirational rap. Leviticus member Jared Caldwell said the ensemble seeks to offer a form of rap that does not glorify violence or sex, but tries "to inspire the youth of the world to get on a better track."
Leviticus member Tim Caldwell said the Rockapella date would give the ensemble a chance to reach a wide, diverse audience. But even if they do not win the spot, they succeeded in bring their message to people, he said.
