Rockapella rocks sold-out crowd at the Quick

Get rid of the instruments, the groupies and the pyrotechnics and what do you get? A group of five amazingly talented performers with vocal ranges well-beyond outstanding and into the realm of divine.

Incorporating choreography into its performance, Rockapella takes the stage with the presence and feel of a rock band but does it all a capella. For those unfamiliar with the term "a capella," it refers to the act of creating music using nothing more than vocals. The group Rockapella gained fame with its series of Folger's Coffee commercials and the "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" theme song.

To enhance its performance, the group features vocal percussionist Jeff Thacher who creates the beats using his mouth and throat. Throughout performances Thacher appears with three microphones: one that he holds in his hands and two smaller ones placed strategically on his throat to pick up the lower vibrations, which create the bass drum effect.

A veteran of the group, Thacher has been doing paid performs for roughly 15 years and continues to enjoy earning his living by creating sounds with his mouth.

"The originals were a whole different group," said Thacher. "The guys who started the group were going to Brown University back in the '80s but most of them left one by one."

According to Thacher, the former members of Rockapella still attend performances.

With a repertoire full of Christmas classics and originals, the group takes its unique blend of vocal harmonies all over the world, building a powerful reputation as a must-see act globally.

Performing at the Quick Center on campus last Friday, the sold-out event spoke for the group's popularity in the state of Connecticut, and the group did not leave anyone disappointed.

Covering its bases with a number of Christmas songs, the group gives the classics a little kick with its unique arrangements and theatrics.

With more than a decade under its belt, the group let the audience pick which songs they'd like to hear in the encore, and it was no surprise to hear people shout "Carmen Sandiego" and "Folgers" among others.

These talented individuals can make even simple jingles as infectious as number one singles.

Click to see Rockapella perform "Stand by Me"

Listen to "White Christmas"