Committed comes to Harbison Theatre

When the gospel/pop a cappella singing sensation Committed won top honors on NBC’s hit show, “The Sing-Off” in 2011, no one was more surprised than the group’s members, who, inspired by boy bands like the Backstreet Boys, ‘NSync and 98 Degrees, had formed the group in 2003 as high school students. “We rarely performed,” said member Geston Pierre. “But we practiced constantly, all the way through college.”

Popularized by television programs like “Glee,” a cappella groups, which sing without instrumental accompaniment, are known for their intricate vocal harmonies. “There’s nowhere to hide,” laughs Pierre. “You’ve got to have your part nailed down.”

Committed’s big break came after a YouTube video of the group performing a tribute to the a cappella gospel group Take 6 made its way to Take 6.

When a Take 6 member received a phone call from a producer of “The Sing-Off”, which pits a cappella groups against each other in a competition, he recommended Committed. Committed ended up winning the show’s second season.

Since then, the group has performed across the globe in live concerts and appearances, including on “The Today Show,” at the NAACP Image Awards and at the Dove Awards. They’ve also released two albums.

On Friday, at 7:30 p.m., Committed will bring their unique blend of pop and gospel to Columbia with a performance at Harbison Theater. “We are so excited to have the winners of ‘The Sing-Off’ on our stage!” said Katie Fox, executive director at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. “Their lifelong commitment to their music and to each other show through in their performances.”

For more information, visit www.harbisontheatre.org

Katie McElveen, Special to The State

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 12:09 PM.