Eight Voices

Octarium can choralize anything — classical, pop, even Toto's "Africa." "Our goal is to make choral music less stuffy," says Krista Blackwood, who founded Octarium in 2003. Along the way, the Kansas City octet of men and women (the name is Latin for eight as one) has produced three recordings (Octarium, Hodie and Essentials, all available at octarium.org). In Octarium, each voice functions as an instrument that can stand alone or pool with others to produce a sound as mighty as an orchestra. "It's musical synergy in its truest form," Blackwood says. Octarium performs tonight at 7:30 at the Kansas City Young Audiences Auditorium (5600 Main at St. Theresa's Academy). There's a second concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Swarthout Recital Hall (1530 Naismith Drive at the University of Kansas) in Lawrence. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students. Purchase tickets at Octarium's Web site.
Sat., May 16, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 17, 2:30 p.m., 2009