VoicePlay is an a cappella band based in Orlando, Florida that has become recognized world-wide[1] in spite of a cappella being considered a niche market,[2][3][4] not often covered by mainstream media[5] or always accepted by the general public.[1][6] Having turned down a major label to remain an a cappella band, they are independent artists.[5] The band consists of Geoff Castellucci (bass), Layne Stein (vocal percussion), Eli Jacobson (tenor 2) and Cesar de la Rosa (baritone). They have been active since 1997 progressing through several lineup changes, and in that time have won multiple local, regional, and national awards both for live performances and music videos, including from Contemporary A Cappella Society. VoicePlay have performed shows and tours both nationally and internationally, been seen on the Today Show, heard on the radio, and performed for large companies such as Disney, Universal and Paramount. They were a finalist in the fourth season of The Sing-Off on NBC, have performed live with several notable musicians including Chicago, and grown a large online following on multiple platforms. Self-described as "Original. Imaginative. Ridiculous. A Cappella",[7][8][9] they take their music seriously, but not themselves, and their live shows and some music videos mix both comedy and music. They are considered one of the best a cappella groups by industry professional Deke Sharon (often considered the father of contemporary a cappella).[10] They are primarily a cover band[11] though they have also produced originals.[4][12][13]

VoicePlay
Also known as
  • 4 The Love
  • 4:2:Five
OriginOrlando, Florida
GenresA cappella
Years active1997–present
Members
  • Geoff Castellucci
  • Layne Stein
  • Eli Jacobson
  • Cesar de la Rosa
Past members
WebsiteOfficial website
YouTube information
Years active2012 - present
Genreacapella
Subscribers1.69 million
Views422.59 million
Last updated: March 24, 2026

History

edit

Early years

edit

VoicePlay began in 1997[4] in the Orlando, Florida metro area as a group of middle school friends.[14] Geoff Castellucci, Layne Stein, Earl Elkins Jr. and Mykal Kilgore all attended Lake Howell High School and began singing barbershop-style together under the name 4 The Love.[15][16] Scott Porter, also a Lake Howell graduate, joined in 1998 as a vocal percussionist making them a group of five,[4] and their name changed to 4:2:Five[6]

Eventually Kilgore left the group. James May joined in 1999 as a tenor, before Porter left in 2003.[4][17] Dave Baumgartner initially joined to replace Porter as the vocal percussionist, but when he also left, Stein switched from baritone to vocal percussion, where he has remained ever since.[17] Tony Wakim then joined as baritone.[18][19]

Throughout these membership changes, and others not listed, the group continued singing together through high school and college (some members attended both Valencia Community College and University of Central Florida), working their way up from singing on street corners and bookstores.[4][14][3] While competing and working in the same circles, they also met Eli Jacobson, who later joined as a tenor.[6][14] Even while still teenagers the group was considered "wonderful" and "exceptional" by Paul Chiaravalle of Walt Disney Entertainment management.[15]

Live performances and touring

edit

VoicePlay then spent years performing for theme parks including Disney, Universal, SeaWorld Orlando, and Busch Gardens.[6][19][20] They entertained on cruises[21] including Disney,[22][23] and worked around the Orlando area including House of Blues,[23] fairs and festivals,[24][25] conventions,[26][21] and private events.[21] They have received air time on the radio.[25] VoicePlay also made eight national tours,[27][11] including two tours with The Sing-Off Live! Tour,[9] which included playing at The Ryman[28] and at least one international tour.[29][30][31] They've opened for bands like 98 Degrees,[23][21] collaborated with bands like Chicago[32] and been headliners themselves.[33][22][34] They became known for not just standing and singing during their live shows, but also including both humor and skits interwoven with musical numbers in an almost theatrical manner.[10][35][14]

Sing-Off

edit

VoicePlay was noticed and recommended by Golden Globe Director Sam Weisman during auditions for The Sing-Off Season 1 in 2019, though they did not actually compete until season 4. "Well there was this one group from Florida called 4:2:Five (...) I fell in love with their version of the now famous, made famous by Glee song 'Don't Stop Believing'."[36]

While competing in 2013's Season 4[37][29][8] show as a six-member group including Honey LaRochelle,[7] they were eliminated together with AcoUstiKats as part of a double elimination night, with both groups coming in 5th & 6th place.[20] However, they were then chosen as one of three groups to go on the national The Sing-Off Live! Tour, and were the only group to make the lineup for two years running.[9] They were also listed as an influence for a later group competing on the show.[38]

Transition to social media and online growth

edit

While still touring, they changed their name to VoicePlay and began their YouTube channel in 2012 as a way of demonstrating their talent to prospective clients.[27][6][11] Considered an early adopter of video in the a cappella world, this helped them have several viral videos and resulted in a worldwide fanbase.[1] In 2017 their online following was considered "sizable" and at least one video had passed the 1 million views mark.[6] By 2019 they had reached 500k YouTube subscribers.[30] Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic required a discontinuation of touring in 2020, VoicePlay has chosen to remain focused mostly on music video production.[16] By 2021 they had reached 1 million subscribers.[18][27] As of the time of writing in March 2026 their YouTube channel stands at 1.69M subscribers, TikTok at 1.3M followers, Instagram at 764K followers and Spotify at 256k listeners. They have also been featured on other YouTube channels such as the official Disney on Broadway channel[39][40] and on sites like video.Disney.com.[41][42]

VoicePlay also occasionally creates commissioned music videos, examples of which are working with Paramount in 2019 to create an "Impossible Carol" inspired by the Mission: Impossible theme song,[43][44] "Party Of Your Lifetime" from the Warframe game for gaming company Digital Extremes,[45] and "Shero Returns" for PUBG Mobile.[46] They also created a video short for Honkai: Star Rail,[47] and participated in the 2021 Genshin Impact Concert.[48][49]

During 2016 Tony Wakim left the group, and music videos on their YouTube channel from this timeframe include various members of the group duplicated digitally as the fifth singer, and a video request for auditions. Wakim, together with Stein, formed a production studio called PattyCake Productions which VoicePlay frequently uses as a location to film their music videos.[18][1] Jessie Nunn, known as J.None, was introduced and announced as the new fifth member on March 29, 2018, via a video on their YouTube channel, and from that point was listed as their fifth member.[14][50][51]

As their online releases increased, VoicePlay gradually stopped producing new songs directly for albums and switched to new songs and music videos being released first online, with a few compilation albums following later (see VoicePlay Discography).

Earl Elkins Jr.'s last appearance in a VoicePlay music video was Just Sing, released May 15, 2020, done as a fundraiser for musicians during COVID.[52] Almost a year later there is a video titled "FAREWELL J.NONE Behind The Scenes" released May 8, 2021 announcing J.None's retirement from VoicePlay in order to join the United States Navy, where he went on to sing for the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters chorus.[50][53] After these two vacancies VoicePlay was a three-member group for just a few months, until the video announcing Cesar De La Rosa as a new member released on July 17, 2021, since which he has been listed as the fourth member.[27][11][54] Since then all music videos and live performances have included various featured artists as the fifth singer.

Infrequent live performances

edit

VoicePlay does not often perform live for public shows anymore, though videos do occasionally surface revealing them performing at private events, such as for Disney at the IPW 2022.[55] However, in November 2023 VoicePlay did return to the live stage with Chicago in a public show at Atlantic City's Ocean Casino Resort celebrating Chicago's 55th anniversary of their debut album.[32][56] This show was then filmed and debuted in theatres the following April as "Chicago & Friends in Concert".[57] "Another highlight from the shows was the vocal group VoicePlay performing such Chicago songs as 'Look Away,' 'If You Leave Me Now' and 'Happy Man' with the band in an semi-acoustic setting. 'At various times, we do an unplugged segment ourselves on stage just to sort of break it up,' Loughnane says. 'It was great to hear how they approached our songs and how we were able to blend the two bands together.'"[58] VoicePlay also performed "Wishing You Were Here" as their fourth song with Chicago.[59]

Music and video style

edit

VoicePlay performs a cappella covers and occasional originals of a wide variety of genres[14] and from multiple eras,[3] usually with an overall contemporary pop sound.[29][4][60] Some of the genres they have covered include: barbershop,[3] jazz,[61][62] rock,[4][61][62] pop,[4][61] country,[61] Disney music,[19][29] metal,[63] rhythm and blues,[4][62] funk,[62] hip-hop[33] doo-wop,[30][12] soul,[61] Broadway music,[21] and holiday tunes.[19]

VoicePlay have always had a passion for a cappella music in particular.[3][4][6] While still 4:2:Five, they were offered a record deal from Sony, but walked when executives wanted to add backing tracks.[5] However, they have performed with the occasional musical instrument. In covers such as "Until I Found You" Castellucci plays piano and in "Nothing Else Matters" Stein plays violin.[63][64][65][66] When using only their voices, they try to arrange in a way that sounds like a full band, often switching up which member is singing lead throughout the course of the song.[4][10][16] They also have an affinity for Halloween, with a discography including many Halloween themed or related songs.[63]

VoicePlay often shoots professional-looking music videos to go along with the release of new music.[21][1] They do much of the video production themselves,[1] having developed the required audio recording, lighting, camera and technology skills over time,[18] partially by figuring things out on their own and partially learning from other musicians in the field such as Andrew Heermans and Jeff Thacher.[1][16] Thacher is listed as the producer, recorder and mixer of their debut 4:2:Five EP, and received credit for the art direction and design of some of their albums.

Personnel

edit

VoicePlay's membership has fluctuated with their total membership having gotten as low as three and as high as six. Two of the founding members still remain. When short members, the group fills in any needed vocal parts for each song temporarily with former members, collaborators, or for studio pieces sometimes layering/duplicating one of their own voices.

Current members

edit

Past members

edit
edit

VoicePlay has collaborated with many artists over the years, a few of which are Scott Porter[64] (further music videos were made after Porter had left membership), Rachel Potter[29][68] and Chicago.[58][32][59] VoicePlay will sometimes additional singers for arrangements with over five parts, to fill in for missing members when VoicePlay were short members themselves, to reinterpret another artist's piece in an a cappella style along with them, or to work together with two entire bands.

Discography

edit
  • 4:2:Five E.P. (2001) (released as 4:2:Five)
  • Time Machine (2004) (released as 4:2:Five)
  • Unstoppable (2004) (released as 4:2:Five)
  • Once Upon an Ever After (2012)
  • Peppermint Winter (2012)
  • Collide & Collide (Deluxe Edition) (2014)
  • Moana (2017)
  • Warm Up EP (2017)
  • Citrus (2019)
  • Boy Bands In 5 Minutes (2019)
  • Slushy (2020)
  • The Mermaid Medley (2020)
  • A Chance To Fly (2021)
  • Villains (2024)
  • K-Pop Demon Hunters Medley (2026)
  • Lore (2026)

Television/Film

edit

Awards

edit
Awards
Event Year Category Result Ref.
Ed McMahon's Next Big Star 2001 Won [70][4][12]
Harmony Sweepstakes a Cappella Festival 2001 Mid-Atlantic Regional Champions Won [4][11][12]
Harmony Sweepstakes a Cappella Festival 2001 Audience Favorite Won [12]
Harmony Sweepstakes a Cappella Festival 2001 Best Original Song Won [12]
The Sing-Off 2013 Season 4 Finalist [37][7][29]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award - Contemporary A Cappella Society 2013 Best Holiday Album Runner-up [71][72]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award - Contemporary A Cappella Society 2013 Best Holiday Song Nominated [73][72]
A Cappella Video Award - Contemporary A Cappella Society 2017 Outstanding Costume / Makeup Nominated [74]
A Cappella Video Award - Contemporary A Cappella Society 2017 Best Musical / Soundtrack Video Won [75]
A Cappella Music Awards 2019 Pop Group of the Year Won [76][11]
Shorty Awards 2019 Best YouTube Musician Finalist [77][11]

References

edit
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sharon, Deke (2018). ""Behind the Scenes"". "So You Want To Sing A Cappella". "Rowman & Littlefield". pp. 300–303. ISBN 9781538105870. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  2. Manson, Bess (May 17, 2024). ""Why the voice behind Pitch Perfect wants all Kiwis to sing at the World Choir Games"". thepress.co.nz. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lyford, Joshua (April 7, 2016). ""Hanover Theatre gets into Voice Play"". worcestermag.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Duff-Hoppes, Jill (May 18, 2001). ""Completely Different"". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Rapkin, Mickey (October 3, 2008). ""A Cappella Dreaming: 10 Voices, One Shot"". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Johnson, Brent (January 31, 2017). ""VoicePlay-ing at UCPAC"". jerseyarts.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Walker, Jodi (November 20, 2013). ""The Sing-Off season 4 groups revealed: A very careful aca-sessment"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Genzlinger, Neil (December 20, 2013). ""A Cappella Contest Makes a Comeback"". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Sculley, Alan (March 11, 2015). ""A cappella group VoicePlay breaks out of the theme park"". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 Turner, Jonathan (March 26, 2015). ""A cappella hits high notes in 'Sing-Off Live' tour"". qconline.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Guy, Amelia (March 16, 2022). ""'Tennessee Whiskey'"". themusicman.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ""2001 Mid-Atlantic Regional Champions 4:2:Five"". harmony-sweepstakes.com. 2001. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  13. ""Don't be ruffled - there's still time to catch Fringe faves"". Orlando Sentinel. May 9, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Moore, Michael (January 14, 2019). ""VoicePlay bring eclectic, electric a cappella show to Bremerton"". kitsapsun.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 ""Student Talent Shines at Fund-Raiser"". Orlando Sentinel. December 3, 1998. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Howard (May 1, 2024). ""Legends of Lake Howell - Featuring VoicePlay"". lakehowell.scps.k12.fl.us. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Rashid, Jerry (August 19, 2003). ""4: 2: Five a cappella group to perform at Coastal"". coastal.edu.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 Pedersen, Joe (September 23, 2021). ""Orlando social media stars: YouTube's PattyCake Productions asks, 'What would Disney do?'"". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 Csizmar, Sandy (May 12, 2019). ""Local quintet at Mickey's Christmas party has unique spin on seasonal spirit"". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  20. 1 2 Walker, Jodi (December 19, 2013). ""'The Sing-Off' Recap: Movie Night"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 ""VoicePlay: Orlando a cappella group pumps us up for Tonys"". mynews13.com. June 9, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  22. 1 2 Weeklies, Kent (March 1, 2016). ""Annual acapella festival March 12"". The New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 ""Math, Science Projects Earn Honors At Fair"". Orlando Sentinel. February 24, 2002. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  24. Palm, Matthew (April 4, 2019). ""25 years of Orlando Fringe Festival memories: 2006, the 15th festival"". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  25. 1 2 ""Nave the conquerors"". Orlando Sentinel. September 16, 2000. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  26. Tuttle, Brittani (July 17, 2019). ""Gaylord Palms announces 'The Polar Express' as Ice! theme for 2019"". attractionsmagazine.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 ""YouTube Millionaires: Meet The Fab Five Behind VoicePlay"". tubefilter.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  28. ""The Sing-Off Live Tour"". do615.com. 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ""'Sing-Off' and 'X Factor'stars VoicePlay and Rachel Potter premiere a cappella 'Moana' medley"". Yahoo. August 17, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  30. 1 2 3 ""From the 11th Annual Shorty Awards VoicePlay"". shortyawards.com. May 5, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  31. ""SoJam 2018"". sojam2018sched.com. November 2, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Graff, Gary (November 21, 2024). ""Chicago's 'Live at 55' Gives Fans the Chance to Celebrate 55 Years of Hits"". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 Schilz, Libby (September 13, 2019). ""Sing-Off contenders VoicePlay cling on to an exuberant night at the Lied"". dailynebraskan.com. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  34. Kabelowsky, Steve (December 10, 2014). ""'Sing-Off' a cappella groups, 'Dancing' stars come to Riverside"". onmilwaukee.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  35. ""Concert Review: 'The Sing-Off' Live"". bocamag.com. March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  36. Weisman, Sam (December 14, 2009). "Rundown 12/14 A Cappella Raises its Voice: interview with executive producer Sam Weisman of The Sing-Off". wbur.org. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Lee, Ashley (December 20, 2013). ""Pat Benatar, Pentatonix, 98 Degrees Added To 'The Sing-Off' Finale"". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  38. Walker, Jodi (December 17, 2014). ""What to expect from the season 5 'Sing-Off' groups: A very careful aca-sessment"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  39. ""From the 7th Annual Shorty Awards The Official Disney on Broadway YouTube Channel"". shortyawards.com. April 20, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  40. ""aca-DISNEY VoicePlay and Disney On Broadway"". December 10, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2026 via YouTube.
  41. ""'Cruella de Vil' - VoicePlay"". Disney. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  42. ""aca-DISNEY VoicePlay and Disney On Broadway"". Disney. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  43. ""Paramount Pictures X Think Jam Impossible Carols"". iacaward.org. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  44. ""Mission: Jingle Bells VoicePlay MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE THEME Mashup"". Retrieved March 21, 2026 via YouTube.
  45. ""Party Of Your Liftime - VoicePlay x @Warframe 1999 (acapella) ft. Omar Cardona"". December 13, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2026 via YouTube.
  46. ""Shero Returns A Capella remix from PUBG Mobile VoicePlay ft Ashley Diane"". April 28, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2026 via YouTube.
  47. ""Honkai: Star Rail music, but make it acappella"". March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2026 via YouTube.
  48. ""Genshin Concert 2021 - Melodies of an Endless Journey (Teaser 3)"". genshin.hoyoverse.com. September 26, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  49. ""Genshin Concert 2021 - Melodies of an Endless Journey (Teaser 3)"". September 26, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2026 via YouTube.
  50. 1 2 3 ""VoicePlay to play at Palladium"". youarecurrent.com. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  51. ""INTRODUCING J.NONE!"". March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2026 via YouTube.
  52. ""JUST SING VoicePlay A Cappella"". May 15, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2026 via YouTube.
  53. ""FAREWELL J.NONE Behind The Scenes"". May 8, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2026 via YouTube.
  54. ""ANNOUNCING, CESAR DE LA ROSA!"". July 17, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2026 via YouTube.
  55. ""Exclusive Disney Show at IPW 2022 in Orlando"". attractionsmagazine.com. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  56. Benitez-Eves, Tina (October 13, 2024). ""Chicago's Lee Loughnane on Releasing the Band's Long-Lost 1971 Concert at the Kennedy Center"". americansongwriter.com. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  57. ""'Chicago & Friends in Concert' Receives Theatrical Release Date"". relix.com. March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  58. 1 2 Chiu, David (April 17, 2024). ""Chicago's Lee Loughnane On The Band's New Concert Film And Their Debut Album Turning 55"". Forbes. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  59. 1 2 3 ""Release of 'Chicago & Friends Live At 55' concert celebrates the band's debut LP"". goldminemag.com. October 3, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  60. Gauze, Carl (May 20, 2005). ""Number 47: Fringe 2005 Edition"". ink19.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  61. 1 2 3 4 5 ""Fresh off NCB's 'The Sing-Off,' Orlando group VoicePlay to perform in Mount Dora"". Orlando Sentinel. April 18, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  62. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Duff-Hoppes, Jill (January 23, 2003). ""4:2:Five Will Sing Some of its Numbers at Concert"". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  63. 1 2 3 Jones, Natalya (March 9, 2015). ""VoicePlay's Geoff Castellucci on the Magic of Singing a Cappella"". browardpalmbeach.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  64. 1 2 3 ""Scott Porter shares details about Season 3 of 'Ginny & Georgia'"". ktla.com. June 4, 2005. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  65. ""'UNTIL I FOUND YOU' VoicePlay ft Scott Porter"". June 6, 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2026 via YouTube.
  66. ""Nothing Else Matters - Metallica (acapella) VoicePlay Ft J.NONE"". January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2026 via YouTube.
  67. ""The Edge Effect"". melissajdixon.com. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  68. ""Broadway's Rachel Potter, a Central Floridian, gives country concert at Abbey"". Orlando Sentinel. May 1, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  69. Walker, Jodi (December 17, 2013). ""'The Sing-Off' Recap: My Generation"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  70. ""Contest One Winners!"". nextbigstar.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2001. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  71. ""2013 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Results"". casa.com. March 31, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  72. 1 2 ""VoicePlay Brings Unique A Capella Show to Fowler Center; A-State's Delta Vox to Open Concert"". astate.edu. April 2, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  73. ""2013 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Nominees"". casa.com. January 30, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  74. ""2017 A Cappella Video Awards Nominees"". casa.com. November 19, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  75. ""2017 A Cappella Video Awards Results"". casa.com. February 4, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  76. ""2019 AMA's"". AcappellaMusicAwards.com. 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  77. ""Shorty Awards Entries"". shortyawards.com. 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
edit