Pentatonix is a five-member a cappella group that has been taking the music world by storm ever since they won Season 3 of the hit US TV show The Sing-Off. A cappella music has been growing in popularity, thanks to TV shows like Glee and movies like the Pitch Perfect trilogy. Interestingly, it was Glee that first brought this incredible band together!
In the video below, Pentatonix showcases their jaw-dropping vocal and arrangement skills in a live performance of Sound of Silence. This unforgettable show took place in 2022 at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, and it left the audience in awe.
The story of Pentatonix starts with three founding members: Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, and Kirstie Maldonado. They all attended Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, and their musical journey began when they decided to enter a radio competition for a chance to meet the cast of Glee. Their performance of Telephone by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé was incredible, but unfortunately, they didn’t win. However, their talent didn’t go unnoticed—their performance started gaining attention both locally and online.
After high school, Scott went on to study at the University of Southern California, where he joined a campus a cappella group. One day, a friend heard him sing and suggested that he audition for The Sing-Off. Scott thought it was a great idea, so he reached out to Mitch and Kirstie, convincing them to join him. To complete the group, they needed a deep bass and a beatboxer. That’s when Avi Kaplan, an amazing bass singer, and Kevin Olusola, a talented beatboxer, joined the team. And just like that, Pentatonix was born!
Believe it or not, the full group had never even met in person until the day of their audition! It was Scott who came up with the name Pentatonix, inspired by the pentatonic scale, which consists of five notes per octave. It was the perfect name for a five-member vocal group! They made it onto The Sing-Off alongside 15 other groups and delivered one incredible performance after another. Their talent was undeniable, but one of their most mind-blowing performances can actually be found on YouTube—their epic medley of Michael Jackson hits through the decades!
Since their big win on The Sing-Off, Pentatonix has been unstoppable. They’ve released six albums, including two Christmas albums. Their first albums, PTX Vols. 1 & 2, were produced by none other than Ben Bram—the same friend who encouraged Scott to audition! Their fourth and fifth albums even reached the top of the US Billboard charts. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, they have also won three Grammy Awards! While they initially gained fame for their creative covers of popular songs, they have since branched out into original music as well.
The group has toured extensively across the USA and all over the world. However, the demanding schedule eventually took its toll, and in 2017, Avi Kaplan made the difficult decision to leave the group. He explained that the constant touring was overwhelming and that he needed more time with his family. There were no hard feelings—Avi’s departure was completely amicable. To keep the music going, Pentatonix welcomed Matt Sallee, a talented college a cappella performer, to take over the bass vocals. Since then, the group has only continued to rise, delivering unforgettable performances on various TV shows and even taking the stage at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards alongside Kelly Clarkson and Sheila E.
Pentatonix’s online presence is just as impressive as their live performances. Their YouTube channel has a massive 19.6 million subscribers, and most of their videos rack up over 100,000 views—many even surpassing a million! One of their most popular videos, the Michael Jackson evolution medley, has been watched a staggering 48.5 million times. And if you’re a fan of Pitch Perfect 2, you may have spotted them making a cameo as the Canadian a cappella team competing against the Barden Bellas!
While the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down their public appearances for a while, there’s no doubt that Pentatonix will be back in full force soon. If you want to keep up with their latest music, videos, and tours, you can subscribe to their YouTube channel or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit their official website to stay updated on all things Pentatonix!
Their journey is nothing short of inspiring, and it’s clear that Pentatonix isn’t just a group—they’re a musical phenomenon. If you haven’t listened to them yet, now is the perfect time to start!
