Wow! Voctave - O Come All Ye Faithful Is So Beautiful!

[@andrewjackson8421]

Excellent reaction guys and what an introduction to Voctave. They really don’t have a song in their repertoire that isn’t stellar. The wall of sound they come with gives such a full sound that many people don’t realize at first this is a cappella, no instruments other than Their voices! They are truly like a vocal orchestra. Many good recommendations have already been given. I will warm you though, if you listen/react to “Where Are You Christmas?” You will need tissues because it will make even the grinchiest man out there shed a tear. One of their most recent releases, “The Nutcracker Medley,” showcases the way they are a vocal orchestra by singing the entire thing with no words. “The Great Movie Medley,” does practically the same thing with only one song in it having words. One of the best things about Voctave is that these people do this because they love to sing and you can see it in their faces. This is their side gig too, as most of them still work full time for Disney. If you ever have an opportunity to see them live they are worth it! So much can be said about them but suffice to say this is a deep rabbit hole you’ve fallen into so enjoy the ride and please give us more Voctave reactions. (And it’s pronounced like Octave with a V in front, because within the group they cover a 5 octave range and V is the Roman Numeral for 5, hence the name Voctave.)

[@TonyPucci11]

I have seen Voctave live, and the are just as impressive! Since it hasn’t been mentioned yet, I’d recommend the “Disney Love Medley” featuring Kirstie from Pentatonix, and add that the “Disney Princess Medley” with all 5 ladies taking a solo, is just phenomenal (the final chords of each are transcendent). Their version of “Somewhere” is glorious. A group that can bring a tear to your eye with just how artistically beautiful what they do is. HIGHLY recommended!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you for the recommendation 😊

[@jasonkim2739]

Thanks for reacting to Voctave! They are by far my favorite vocalists and some of the nicest people I've ever met. All 11 members are current or former singers with the Voices of Liberty at EPCOT in Walt Disney World. Jamey Ray, a university music professor, is the group's founder and arranges all their music. Unlike other groups, they feature no beatboxers and don't sing the latest Top 40 hits. They do lots of Disney, Broadway, and Christmas music. I highly recommend "Disney Princess Medley" for solos from all 5 women, "Disney Heroes & Villains Medley" for solos from all 6 men, "Somewhere" (11 phrases, 11 solos), "Prince of Egypt Medley", "Cinderella Medley", "Remember Me" featuring Mariachi Cobre, "Someone Like You" featuring Jody McBrayer, "Over the Rainbow", "Moon River". They even do jazz standards like "Sunny Side of the Street" and "My Funny Valentine".

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you for sharing that info. They seem truly amazing and thank you for that recommendation 😊

[@MJKFanatic]

Voctave is the GOAT of a cappella groups, very underrated. Each one of them is talented enough to have a successful solo career, so all together they are that much more impressive. 2 of the members in this video have parted ways, but they have refilled their vacancies and are as awesome as ever. I was very lucky to have the privilege of seeing them live last year, it was spectacular.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thats amazing! Thank you for sharing ☺️

[@AudioVile]

Great reaction!! Warning... Long comment ahead! I'm one of those who was pushing for Voctave in a few of your previous a cappella group reactions. I'm not sure WHY I hadn't subscribed before now. You are right, that this particular piece has a very traditional "chorus sound." Near the end it gets a little more 'crazy.' I think that's because the chord structures are very traditional. In many of their other performances, the arrangements are more complex and "surprising." The group USUALLY sport 11 singers: 2 Soprano, 3 alto, 3 tenor, and 3 baritone/bass. The gent featured here is E. J. Cordona. He is an amazing tenor. He has been featured with other a cappella groups like VoicePlay. Voctave does many different genres, but they are MOST well-known for Christmas themed music and Disney music. The gent in the top center (one of the smiling guys, as you put it) is Jamey Ray. He is a tenor, AND the arranger for almost all their songs. I say 'most' because there might be one or two by another group member. If you're looking for something "different," check out the "Andrews Sisters Medley" or "The Impossible Dream." Many of their performances might even get you choked up. Not because of the sentiment, necessarily, but because the sound is so beautiful you might have an unavoidable physical response. Shivers, goosebumps, tears... these are common Voctave reactions. I LOVE my a cappella groups, but I think that the vocals of Voctave (maybe because of the 11 members versus 4 or 5) are the absolute best. You just gained my subscription (as well as my like). simply for this one reaction! Your faces showed your appreciation! Loved this!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We appreciate your recommendations that got us onto Voctave 😊 thank you for sharing the info and recommendations aswell.

[@thisismetoday7423]

They are amazing! #VoicePlay and #Voctave are my favorites! I think you would love their Great Movie Medley.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We will check it out 😊

[@Robert.Sheard]

I have watched this dozens of times, and every single time... tears!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

It was defintely very beautiful ☺️

[@acorrado5529]

Merry Christmas and thanks for your reaction! I am really enjoying your reactions and journey exploring, respecting and appreciating the different styles and talent within these acapella groups. The gentleman that was singing the tenor solos throughout the song is E.J. Cardona , older brother of Omar Cardona who you see as a frequently featured guest with Voice Play (you liked Omar in Voice Play's "Dream On" and "Whiskey In The Jar" and both brothers have a similar powerful, high tenor vocal range). E.J. and Omar Cardona have been long time friends with Cesar De La Rosa, member of Voice Play (Cesar and Omar have been long time best friends and roommates). The Cardona family are a very well known, very talented family in Orlando Florida area as their mother has been long time director of their church choir and other Cardona relatives have taught music in the schools and given private music and voice lessons throughout the Orlando area. E.J. Cardona has also been a featured guest in a couple of Voice Play's covers (You would love E.J. in "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Go The Distance") The members of Voctave are all past and present singers with Disney World's prestigious 'Voices Of Liberty' choir and have more of a formal, traditional, full choir sound and style than acapella groups Pentatonix, Home Free and Voice Play. Omar Cardona just released his solo Christmas video that has background vocals from E.J. Cardona and Voice Play's J. None and Cesar, and the very talented members of the Cardona family. I think you would really enjoy seeing and meeting the family and the video is so lively and fun!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We hope you had a great Christmas and thank you for your comment and that recommendation 😊

[@par500dragon7]

Voctave is simply wonderful. All their work is exceptional! I especially love Mary, Did You Know... it features Mark Lowery, who wrote the lyrics originally. It is stunning.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We will have to check that one out

[@jeremymcmahon3863]

Great reaction. The guy in the back center is Jamey Ray. He arranges all of the songs they do. EJ Cardona on lead has sung with Voiceplay a couple of times as well.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thanks awesome!

[@amr21106]

no beat boxing needed with Voctave. Typically the arrangements and the bass and the movement in the harmonies, beatboxing would not needed for them. I HIGHLY recommend The Disney Princess Medley for hearing what all the ladies can do alo g with stellar arrangement and the Disney Heroes and Villians Medley for the guys! So wonderful. They do have a more choir sound but they can do so many cool things with harmonies and background things. also it is pronounced "Voc-tive" 😂 i think now that you have watched one of the videos its ok to go to their website and view their names and parts haha. Jamey Ray is one of the tenors, and orgnaizer and arranger of the group and he is superb with it! ❤ Would love to see more reactions from you for Voctave.

[@acorrado5529]

Yes, I agree. I think they would also enjoy Voctave's 'Disney Love Medley' featuring Kirsty Maldonado from Pentatonix.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you for that recommendation. We will check it out 😊

[@kennethbryson7751]

Thanks guys, great reaction, Voctave is an extremely talented bunch. Every one of them individually and then all together, wow. The blonde lady in front right is an amazing soprano. I don’t think she has a top high note, she can just keep going up. Before the holiday gets away, try to get to Voctave’s Mary did you know, featuring Mark Lowry. He is the writer of the song along with Buddy Green. Trust me that that song in their version is life changing!!!!! Your friend from Tennessee, low bass Kenneth!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you for the recommendation and sharing Kenneth. Amazing group so far 😊

[@chickenman9059]

Their hero’s and villains medley is awesome ! Def worth a check out

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We will have to check it out 😊

[@paulavasko4633]

So happy that you have reacted to Voctave, as I was one of the folks who had recommended them to you! Please be sure to listen to Mary Did You Know, featuring one of the gentlemen who co-wrote the song, Mark Lowry. It is my favorite version of this wonderful song!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We always appreciate those recommendations

[@KeithGreen-d6o]

What a fun reaction! Please do some of their Disney medley's or show tunes. They will blow you away!!!

[@Robert.Sheard]

What a great choice for your first Voctave performance. EJ Cardona is the unreal tenor who kills this one. (He's also performed with VoicePlay on several videos.) Watch a few more and see how high Kate goes on Soprano 1. She's a superstar.

[@jeremymcmahon3863]

Also. I recommend their video of Somewhere from West Side Story. You get to hear a little bit of each of them singing individually.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We will have to check that one out 😊

[@katiemenne8258]

So excited you’re checking voctave out! They’re incredible!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Glad you liked it Katie

[@marymulligan3053]

great reaction, Please do "Mary did you know: with Voctave featuring Mark Lowery. He wrote the song! It's amazing!!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We will check it out 😊

[@glendamcgrady1244]

Have heard Voctave twice live. Have Heard Home Free live twice. Would do both 100 times, if possible!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thats amazing! We will have to check them out ☺️

[@jonathandavid6826]

Welcome to the voctave journey! My recommendation- literally anything they do. They are the best of the best!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you so much for your comment and Happy New Year to you. We hope this year will be amazing for you ☺️

[@JayZFranks83181]

I almost threw my phone when you hit pause as soon as EJ started singing. Lol I've been listening to this group for several years and I have yet to heard someone beatbox in one of their songs😊

[@highlyreactivereactions]

😂 Sorry about that Jay. Keep the phone alive

[@PTXPentaholic]

Holy hell I love you both. I thought I loved you when you started listening to PTX but now you've added Voct. I am thrilled!!! And you picked my absolute favorite to listen to first.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@kyleodea8157]

Out of all the top groups out there like Pentatonix, home free, and who ever. NO OTHER GROUPS arrangements are better than voctaves. You should listen to the Disney Princess melody, or Somewhere.

[@MJKFanatic]

If you want a good showcase for each member's talents individually, check out both their 'Disney Princess Medley' (the lovely ladies) and their 'Disney Heroes & Villains Medley' (the strapping gents). Truth be told though, you really can't go wrong with picking any of their videos to react to.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you for the recommendations ☺️

[@leslieholland7843]

Interesting note: E. J. Cardona's brother Omar is a guest in some VoicePlay videos, as is E. J. What a remarkable family!❤❤

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Love that!

[@michaelengel3265]

guys....that last note was 26 seconds long....E.j. is known for his incredible voice and breath support!!!.....lots more to listen too....ENJOY

[@raypierce5818]

What. Great reaction! EJ Cardona is the amazing tenor who did the lead in this one but they are all equally talented. You really need to go back to their first massively popular debut with Kirsten from Penatonix and Jeremy Michael Lewis (who happened to be her fiancé at the time) in the Disney Love Medley. Kate Lott, the Coloratura Soprano has the most amazing range you can hear in that track. That’s a great entry into their beginnings and it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole from there!

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you so much for your comment and Happy New Year to you. We hope this year will be amazing for you ☺️

[@KeithGreen-d6o]

If you like PTX, watch Disney's Love Medley with Kristin Maldanado of PTX

[@changeworkssystem6024]

"VOCK-tive" -- and they do a variety of styles, but they're best known for their Disney songs (because most of them are current or former members of Disney's performers at Disney World . The tenor in the middle of the back row is Jamey Ray, who is the founder of the group and the sole arranger for all of their pieces. He's found amazingly talent singers but it is his brilliance as an arranger that makes Voctave what it is.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

Thank you for sharing the info with us. It is appreciated

[@zoltanneszatmari7505]

Please react another Voctave masterpiece, the Great movie medley. That is awesome 😊

[@highlyreactivereactions]

We will have to check it out

[@joetaptaco]

Honestly, over-produced, beat boxing pop a cappella arrangements are beneath Voctave and their talent. Pentatonix can have that market and more power to them. It isn’t for me. Give me choir on steroids. Btw, “a cappella” simply means singing without instruments. It doesn’t have any connotation about the style of the singing. ie. a choral arrangement like what you hear on this video or beat boxing stuff ala Pentatonix are both “a cappella.”

[@rogerlewis7894]

Come on guys! Laughing during your reaction is VERY disrespectful and distracting at time index 5:03. It shows you are NOT giving your FULL attention to the video you are supposedly reacting to.

[@highlyreactivereactions]

If you think it's disrespectful to smile and laugh whilst listening to music then that's ok with us 👍