Vocality loves to sing and our performance comes from the heart. It is this spirit that makes Vocality’s performance extraordinary. Our aim is to create a magical moment, so while you are sitting in the audience, we sing not to the multitudes, but just to you! 

From our inception in February 2007, Vocality’s philosophy has been to preserve the art of barbershop and a capella music and to commit our heart and soul to every performance. We seek to spark enthusiasm and inspire young people to see music in a whole new light – to keep a capella harmony alive and pass it on from our generation to the next. 

We feel privileged to enjoy the fellowship of our barbershop friends at home and all over the world. It is truly an honor for Vocality to have been crowned the 2007 LO’L District Champions as well as advance to the Semi-Final level at the International Competition for the past two years.

Tony Blackwood is the lead and story teller of Vocality. His interest in music was evident early on as he sang with his family around the piano and in church. His true passion for performance developed as he became involved in the theatre and began to explore all types of musical styles. Whether choral, vocal jazz, theatre or barbershop he has always found a place to perform. Previously, he sang with David in Nouveau where they won the 2003 LO’L District Championship. Offstage Tony is busy working at The Hartford as a Senior Service Specialist. When he isn’t working he’s spending time with his wife Angela visiting new places and trying new things. Tony also sings with The Great Northern Union Chorus.

Jay Althof sings tenor just right to put the ‘glitz’ into every chord. Jay has been singing in quartets for many years both as tenor and lead. He has represented the LO’L District in two other champion quartets, Grandads Bluff – 1988 and Quest – 2005, and sang with New Image for over 15 years. Jay has a genuine love for all kinds of music as evidenced by the many groups he has been in over the years. Most recently Jay played the trumpet and was a featured vocalist in Brady’s Big Band out of the Twin Cities. Jay’s love of music is shared by his wife Beth and their two college-bound daughters Katie and Kristin all of who are accomplished musicians in their own right. In addition, Jay is President of Unison Comfort Technologies, a manufacturer of commercial air conditioning equipment.

David Boyd sings the rich bass notes that make Vocality sound so big. As a seven year old, David started singing in the renowned Minnesota Boys Choir at much higher pitches than he does today. During high school he sang in several choirs and ensembles along with solo and theatre work. David’s college years found him singing with the University of Minnesota Men's chorus. With a passion for quarteting, he loved the experience of singing with Tony in the District Quartet Champion Nouveau. David feels blessed to be in a quartet with three great guys who also love high caliber singing, fun and the close friendship they share. He and his wife Jane enjoy traveling (especially Hawaii), spending time together and working with her natural skincare business.

Bob Albachten sings baritone and rounds out Vocality’s rich tone. He has been singing Barbershop for nearly 30 years in choruses and quartets most notably the Great Northern Union Chorus and LO’L District Champion quartet PrimeTime. In addition Bob has performed in a variety of groups and solo work spanning genres from jazz to gospel to classical to pop as well as dabbling in Musical Theatre. Bob enjoys home remodeling projects and working in the garden with his partner Mark (watching Mark work in the garden is actually more accurate). Bob works as a Personal Care Attendant for a man with quadriplegia and also works all day as a Marketing Database Administrator at Ellerbe Becket a large global architecture firm. Bob brings enthusiasm and a love of music to every performance.