Their Hearts were Full of Spring

About the Kentucky Vocal Union

The Kentucky Vocal Union is a male acappella ensemble chartered out of Elizabethtown, Kentucky - with membership from all over Kentucky and surrounding states. As you read, one point is most important to remember...the KVU is for SERIOUS SINGERS ONLY. It is not an ensemble that takes rehearsal and performance lightly.

The KVU expects its members to show up with ALL required music and choreography memorized - lack of preparation is NOT an option. We work to ensure you're performance experience is enjoyable, worth your time, and one you won't forget (and won't ever want to miss)! Read on to learn more about the KVU, or visit the JOINING page to learn more about the membership process.

Musical Repertoire

The KVU performs new and original a cappella arrangements of various styles of music. This includes pop, rock, and country hits, swing and big band tunes, doo-wop and oldies, and barbershop standards. Most arrangements are created by the KVU musical director, Aaron Dale.

Rehearsals

Unlike other groups, the KVU generally rehearses once every 3 to 5 weeks on either a Friday night or a Saturday morning throughout the year. This schedule seems to allow those with busy schedules, families, and other commitments to still enjoy singing in their lives. High member expectations and a lighter schedule tend to attract people from all over Kentucky and surrounding states.

Rehearsals are pretty similar to those of other a cappella groups and men's choirs. The KVU utilizes vocal warm-ups, rehearses in sections, works on current repertoire, practices choreography and visual performance, and enjoys fun quartet activities. Rehearsals are organized to ensure we get the most of our time together.

Performance and Competition

The chorus performs a few main times a year. This includes presenting an annual show, attending conventions and competitions held by the Barbershop Harmony Society, and occasional guest performances on other barbershop chapter shows.

Througout the year, the KVU musical leadership strives to maintain a well-rounded repertoire that is both entertaining for audiences and enjoyable for the membership. The KVU is constantly learning new and challenging a cappella arrangements from many genres to perform any where at any time. When we are not performing, we treasure our rehearsal experiences and the pure enjoyment of singing good music with friends.

About the Director

Aaron Dale lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky with his wife and four children. He is employed as an elementary music educator in the Hardin County public school system. Aaron earned a Bachelor degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky, where he was a percussionist. He later earned a Masters of Arts in Special Education from Campbellsville University.

Aaron has been an a cappella enthusiast since high school. He joined the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1991, and has been a performer, director, coach, and musical advisor for various groups over the years. Aaron is a certified Music judge for the Barbershop Harmony Society, and is a highly sought after arranger for quartets and choral groups world-wide. His arrangements have been commissioned and performed by such groups as O.C. Times, the Westminster Chorus, Vocal Spectrum, Realtime, The Masters of Harmony Chorus, State Line Grocery, The Vocal Majority Chorus, and many others.

As a percussionist, Aaron has performed with several ensembles over the years including the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, and Blue Steel-Professional Steel Drum Band. In 1992 he marched with the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps. Aaron has arranged and written music for various high school marching bands over the years, and has had percussion compositions published by Row-Loff productions. His percussion background is evident in many of his rhythmically complex vocal arrangements.