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Cappella’A

The vocal quartet Cappella’A was banded together in 2003. Aušra Smičiūtė and Mindaugas Putna were the ones who spearheaded the idea, when they were producing, recording and arranging an album for a famous lithuanian singer Rosita Čivilytė. The music was based on background vocals. When the album was edited, the music presentation was provided as unplugged. It sparked an idea to make group of four singers, who could do all background vocals live. The first make–up was: Aušra Smičiūtė, Rasa Liutkutė, Aistė Stegvilnaitė and Mindaugas Putna. The first performance was April 1st, 2003, during the filming of the TV show „Be an artist“, whenthe  band was invited as a guest. Then group did a  gospel song „Oh Happy Day“. The appearance was very successful and admired by audiences. Cappella‘A received invitations to work with Lithuanian artists after this well received performance.
In June, 2003 Cappella‘A wrote and sang a song for the final TV show of „Be an artist“ as well as performing backgrounf vocals to young winners.

All performances and concerts were increasingly successful and when the demand for the group became large, Aistė Stegvilnaitė left the group and Monika Liubinaitė, a young prospective singer, joined the group. Then Cappella‘A started to prepeare their own program. There were different kinds of styles added to their program. Including songs from old well known melodies, modern songs, and some jazz interpretations. With this program, the group performed at different Klaipėda city events. They also appeared at clubs: „Bravo“, „Brodvėjus“, Neringa“, Jazz Rock Caffe“, „New York“ – in Vilnius, „Paršelio Rojus“ – in Šventoji, Kaunas Yachtclub, Klaipėda Fishermans culture house, jazz club „Kurpiai“, club “Global“, entertainment centers „Šikšnosparnio lizdas“, „Pramogų bankas“ and etc. They also had a part in the musical TV shows „Vilniaus brodvėjus“ and „Lietuvos dešimtukas“ and they were invited to the Daina Bilevičiūtė project, and also gave concerts at „Women club 666“.

In Autumn of 2003 Aistė Stegvilaitė left the group .... to replace her would be Kristina Jatautaitė. She is a professional singer from, Klaipėda University, Art faculty, jazz music cathedra student, studying vocal performance. Now the quartet started to make their preparations for the Eurovision song contest. Together, with producer Audrius Janonis, Cappella‘A wrote a song „Music Loves The World“ for this competition. Dance school „Kakadu“ and trainer Daiva also did a nice show during the performance.
In December 2003, the quartet took part in the project – Classical diversions, were they performed songs with symphonic orchestra accompaniment, and some famous singers singing (P.Meškėla, A.Pilvelytė, Maxui, Č.Gabaliui, etc...).

In 2004 they planned a presentation of R.Čivilytė‘s debut album „From your storm...“. Monika Liubinaitė couldn‘t arrange studies and musical activities and consequently she left the group. Then joined Rasa Veretenčevienė – Serra, professional singer. This foursome was very potent, proffesional, and had the potential to do better and more professional programs.

After  R.Čivilytė‘s album presentation, Cappella‘A was invited to perform at Klaipėda Pilies Jazz Festival‘2004. For this performance, the group did a program with live band accompaniment. After this concert, they received an invitation to Kaunas Jazz 2005, Klaipėda Pilies Jazz Festival 2005,  and Festival „Birštonas‘2006“.

In 2004 Cappella‘A started working with famous singer Birutė Petrikytė, who invited the quartet to her solo concerts together with LRT light music orchestra. These performences were at Vilnius filharmony, „Ekranas“ culture house in Panevėžys, and Klaipėda Fishermans culture house. During this tour, the group met famous jazz musicians: Dainius Pulauskas, Linas Būda, Valerijus Ramoška.
In 2004 the group was very active giving concerts at different places. In Summer during Sea festival Project,  Cappella‘A did back – ground vocals. They worked with E.Sipavičius, V.Riaubiškytė, G.Karaliūnaitė, G.Paškevičius, I.Valinskienė. The company Cactus Pro invited the group to make a project with Geltona and Amberlife, at TV3 concert „Lietuvos garbė“.

In 2005 Cappella‘A went to tour with legendary group „Nerija“. After this tour, the quartet rehearsed gospels which they performed at Kaunas Jazz 2005 Festival, Kaunas Vytauto Didžiojo church. With this program, they appeared at Klaipėdos Pilies Jazz Festival 2005, Kretinga monastery. For this project, the group invited pianist Arnoldas Jankūnas to accompany.

In May 2005, vocal quartet Cappella‘A celebrated their 2 years birthday. They gave a live unplugged performance at Klaipėda University Art faculty Theatre stage. In this spectacular concert there were many famous musicians: D.Kontrimas, A.Jankūnas, D.Grumbinas and special guests – Steponas Januška, and Birutė Petrikytė. For this performance the group performed jazz themed interpretations, and their own songs. After the concert, the famous lithuanian jazz musician Leonidas Šinkarenka invited the quartet to the Nida Jazz Marathon 2005.

Now the group is doing program for the jazz festival “Birštonas’06”, arranging Christmas songs for the Christmas and New Year events.

In 2006 June the group had performance at the huge project “Classical Diversions” with Lithuanian Symphonic Orchestra.

In 2006 group win the Ward Swingle jazz category 3rd Prize at the international a cappella competition “Vokal.total.2006” in Austria, Graz.

Now in the Cappella‘A are 4 professional vocalists, Aušra Smičiūtė, Kristina Jatautaitė, Rasa Serra, Mindaugas Putna, who play different kinds of styles of music such as pop, jazz, country, soul, gospel, etc.... We are often introduced as a group of young, talented and ambitious people, who fascinate their audiences singing a‘capella, (i.e. with no accompanying instruments.)

Cappella‘A members are convinced that they fill the gap in polyphonic and professional singing in Lithuania, as well as enriching it with their own individuality and international singing traditions.

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