Vocolot

While it’s difficult for any group to range from African tribal chants to swing to classical to folk, Vocolot earns extra credit for pulling off these transitions without the aid of instruments. This female a cappella ensemble, led by accomplished composer Linda Hirschhorn, lends its vocal talents to inspiring original tunes such as “Bird” and “Wings Span,” as well as songs that address feminist and political themes, adaptations of Bible verses and poems, and pieces inspired by Jewish betrothal rituals. Vocolot constructs intricate backing-vocal schemes, some of which have the singers serving as a percussionists while others assume the round format, with the members singing different lines simultaneously. The group compounds its versatility by delivering its heavenly melodies in a variety of languages, including Hebrew and Arabic. Even if they can’t understand what’s being sung, music fans who attend this performance at 3 p.m. will walk away with a new appreciation of the majestic potential of the human voice. — Andrew Miller