Making the band
Published on October 30th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - If anyone knows the definition of busy it’s Stoneham native Mark McNeill, a member of the innovative pop band Vohx. This 15-year old precocious performer knows what it's like to try and be a successful entertainer, as well as all the work that goes along with it.
McNeill, a sophomore at Arlington Catholic High School, is truly a musician at heart: performing in musicals, singing in his school choir and four years of private piano lessons at the Boston Conservatory are just a few of the noteworthy items on his musical resume. He hopes to pursue music in the future at either the New England Conservatory or the Boston Conservatory.
McNeill's familial support network also kicks in from time to time, helping him make his dreams a reality.
"My parents are totally supportive of me. They feel that all of this helps me to better my education," McNeill said.
McNeill met the other members of Vohx during a music class at Arlington Catholic. All four boys were originally working together as part of an audition-based group called "Class Act Singers." Band manager and musical director Barbara Morash suggested forming a pop group that would also dance and perform publicly and the boys loved the idea. Vohx was formed last April.
McNeill, the band's youngest member, adds an element of enthusiasm and liveliness to the group with his blond hair, blue eyes, and kind smile. His personality is two-fold, seemingly quiet on the outside, but playful once you get to know him.
"Mark is the shyest, most humble person you'll ever meet" said Morash.
However, his "jokester" side has rightly earned him the nickname "scamp." According to Morash, McNeill is "so mischievous" and makes everyone in the group laugh.
Perhaps what makes Vohx different from other "boy band" groups is that Morash, who writes their music, transforms themes from well-known classical pieces and reworks it into pop-rock. All four members are classically trained musicians, and one piece, "Dark Eyes," is based on a well-known Hungarian folk song.
Although classically trained, bands such as Pink, Weezer, No Doubt, and Chumbawamba influence McNeill, he listens to anything from classical to Broadway to rap. He adores and emulates piano/vocal wonders such as Elton John and Billy Joel, but he says, "It's good to be original, too."
Vohx's choreography is taught by Boston Conservatory’s Ebony Williams, and is moving more toward a theatrical feel. The theatrical feel, explains Williams, helps their movements match the lyrics.
The band also sets itself apart by appealing to a wider audience. The boys no doubt attract a young female crowd with their cute looks, but they also reach many more with their amazing vocals and difficult harmonizations.
Behind the scenes, McNeill and the group put in a lot of long hard hours after school practicing, performing, and perfecting until at least 9 or 10 p.m. on most nights. Their schedule is jam-packed with 1-2 hour long choreography lessons Monday through Friday, private vocal lessons once a week, and 45-minute intensive personal training sessions at least three times a week. The group's only day off is Saturday.
McNeill, himself, doesn't seem to mind the pressure. "The more we work, the better we are," McNeill said.
Vohx's other members are Woburn's Paul Cantillon, 17; Woburn's Kevin Morrissey, 18; and Arlington's Patrick Richardson, 17. Their musical director and manager is Barbara Morash.
In order to refine their overall presentation, Vohx also works with Tawnya Kitts-Koester to make them more poised and polished. Kitts-Koester has given the group lessons in acting and interviewing techniques.
Carol Thompson, personal trainer, outlines a specific workout that incorporates parts of their choreography. She also devises a nutritional diet for each member. Not only is she impressed by their abilities, but she also said,
"I'm impressed with how nice they are to each other and how open they are to trying different things,” said Thompson.
The band has even had a fashion designer coordinate their outfits. According to Morash, one weekend they worked on taking pictures just so they could decide which poses they liked.
Vohx's rigorous schedule leaves McNeill little time for other hobbies; however, he does enjoy talking to friends on IM and lists Math as his favorite subject in school.
Being in a band definitely has its benefits, too. For McNeill, the best part about Vohx is being up on stage.
"When you perform, it's great because you make people happy and it's fun" McNeill said, beaming with pride.
He says that performing in the group has made him more expressive and open. He has also enjoyed being able to get to know the other members. "We've bonded so much," McNeill said.
Adjusting to this new lifestyle was not easy for any of the boys, but, according to Morash, she always knew they would hold on and be destined for great things. She recalled a time when they had agreed to rehearse until 7 p.m., and when that time approached, each members turned to her and said, "What's next?" It was then that she knew their patience and diligence made them unlike any other musicians she had worked with.
According to Morash, in the band's early stages back in April, she suggested a trip to her house in Florida to simulate a tour. Driving there and back, Morash reasoned, would test the group's ability to work in close quarters with one another. While in Florida, they worked on harmony training and an arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for the Stoneham Memorial Day Parade.
The band is warming up the tour bus for an upcoming trip to Washington D.C. to perform in a Vietnam Veteran's tribute. The event, occurring on November 6, marks the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veteran's wall. They are lined up to perform with Scott McKenzie, John McDermott and others.
McNeill performs two solos in the group's repertoire. "Coming Apart" features McNeill on solo piano, while "Angel in Your Eyes" is a duet between McNeill, piano, and Morrissey, vocals.
The group will also be performing at a cystic fibrosis foundation benefit concert locally on November 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Woburn Elks Lodge, 295 Washington Street in Woburn. The concert will include a raffle and DJ. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. All of the proceeds go to the cystic fibrosis foundation. Between 150 and 250 people are expected to attend the event. The band's website, www.vohx.com contains more information about the group and both of these events.
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