Voces en Función
Encyclopedia
Voces en Función was a Puerto Rican
singing
competition
series and Variety show
hosted by Puerto Rican
singer Lou Briel
, televised from 1995 to 2001 on PBS member station WIPR-TV
& WIPM-TV.
. A jury, composed of all-rounder
s, selected by cognition
, would secretly vote for their favorites during 10 weeks, and choose the 20 semi-finalists. The latter would then compete again in the Semi Finals, separated in two groups of 10, for two weeks, and only 10 contestants would make it to the end.
The final
gala called, Festi-Voces (Festi-Voices), would be the last one of the season, composed of 13 weeks each, and it would be broadcast in a two hour special. The winner, would receive a trophy, a cash prize, and his or her inclusion as a regular in the following thirteen week season, as well as performing as guest stars in several television shows produced by the station. There were 5 final galas throughout the run of the show.
Voces en Función, was one of the first Puerto Rican television shows that was broadcasted via the Internet
, and it also was the first television series taped on-location, at the Yagüez Theater
, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
, on a weekly basis, and furthermore the first singing contest show in Latin America, Europe, and USA, before American Idol
, Operación Triunfo
and Objetivo Fama
.
The difference of Voces en Funcion from other singing contests, is that it was simultaneously a weekly variety show
composed of various musical segments. Well known singers from the entertainment business were featured as guests stars in every show such as: Lucecita Benítez
, Nydia Caro
, Carmita Jiménez
, Santos Colon
, Marian Pabón, Danny Rivera
, Son by Four
, Lunna
, Johnathan Dwayne
, Huey Dunbar
with DLG, Rey Ruiz
, Millie Corretjer
, Chucho Avellanet
, Jyve V
, Lucy Fabery
, Dagmar
, José Nogueras
and Charytín
, among others.
Lou Briel
performed in a segment titled Bohemia en Función (Bohemia in Performance), accompanied by a blind
guitarist from Añasco, Puerto Rico
, called Roberto Rivera.
The show also featured a pop
ballet
, directed by the Puerto Rican
choreographer Marcelino Alcalá, called Ballet Voces, (Voices Ballet). Alcalá, also choreographed for the contestants, the opening numbers for the galas, as well as various musical productions for the host, and several guest stars.
Various notable singers that made their formal debut on Puerto Rican television through this show include Yaire
, Noelia
, and the local rock group Fiel a la Vega
, among others.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
series and Variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
hosted by Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
singer Lou Briel
Lou Briel
Lou Briel, is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.-Early Years with Anexo 3:...
, televised from 1995 to 2001 on PBS member station WIPR-TV
WIPR-TV
WIPR-TV is an non-commercial educational, full-power public television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over analog channel 6, digital 43. The station is owned and operated by Corporación de Puerto Rico para la Difusión Pública ...
& WIPM-TV.
Format
The potential contestants had to try out to be on the show, then the ones selected would be presented on the show with two other contestants as well, for a total of three per program and 39 for the seriesTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
. A jury, composed of all-rounder
All-rounder
An all-rounder is a cricketer who regularly performs well at both batting and bowling. Although all bowlers must bat and quite a few batsmen do bowl occasionally, most players are skilled in only one of the two disciplines and are considered specialists...
s, selected by cognition
Cognition
In science, cognition refers to mental processes. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions. Cognition is studied in various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science...
, would secretly vote for their favorites during 10 weeks, and choose the 20 semi-finalists. The latter would then compete again in the Semi Finals, separated in two groups of 10, for two weeks, and only 10 contestants would make it to the end.
The final
Final (competition)
The final of a competition is the match or round in which the winner of the entire event is decided.In sports competitions following a knockout system, where only two individuals or teams compete in each match, the final is usually played between the winners of two semi-finals...
gala called, Festi-Voces (Festi-Voices), would be the last one of the season, composed of 13 weeks each, and it would be broadcast in a two hour special. The winner, would receive a trophy, a cash prize, and his or her inclusion as a regular in the following thirteen week season, as well as performing as guest stars in several television shows produced by the station. There were 5 final galas throughout the run of the show.
Voces en Función, was one of the first Puerto Rican television shows that was broadcasted via the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, and it also was the first television series taped on-location, at the Yagüez Theater
Teatro Yagüez
The Teatro Yagüez in Puerto Rico is a historic building that today is a performing arts theater. It is located at Candelaria and Dr. Basora Streets, in the city of Mayagüez. It consists of the Lucy Boscana Hall and the Roberto Cole Cafe Theater.-History:It was originally erected by Francisco...
, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
, on a weekly basis, and furthermore the first singing contest show in Latin America, Europe, and USA, before American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, Operación Triunfo
Operación Triunfo
Operación Triunfo is a reality-show talent contest which first aired on Spain's TVE network in 2001. A kind of cross between Pop Idol, Voces en Función, Star Search, and Big Brother, the show aimed to find the country's next solo singing sensation, putting a selection of hopefuls through their...
and Objetivo Fama
Objetivo Fama
Objetivo Fama is a Puerto Rican singing talent contest that has been on air for over five years on WLII, the Univision outlet in Puerto Rico; and on Telefutura in the mainland United States...
.
The difference of Voces en Funcion from other singing contests, is that it was simultaneously a weekly variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
composed of various musical segments. Well known singers from the entertainment business were featured as guests stars in every show such as: Lucecita Benítez
Lucecita Benítez
Luz Esther Benítez , better known in the music world as Lucecita, is a Puerto Rican singer.-Biography:Lucecita was a member of what is historically known in Puerto Rico as the New Wave, or Nueva Ola of popular music, created by Alfred D. Herger, alongside Lissette and Chucho Avellanet, among others...
, Nydia Caro
Nydia Caro
Nydia Caro is an American & Puerto Rican actress and singer. Born in New York City to parents from Rincón, Puerto Rico, she initiated her career in the arts at a very young age while living in New York...
, Carmita Jiménez
Carmita Jiménez
Carmita Jiménez was a Puerto Rican singer who was considered a diva in Puerto Rico. She was born in San Lorenzo....
, Santos Colon
Santos Colon
Ángel Santos Colón Vega , aka Santitos Colón, was a Puerto Rican salsa music singer and crooner, born in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico and raised in Mayagüez. He was also known with a moniker: "The Man with The Golden Voice".- Youth and Early Career :Colón was born in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, but...
, Marian Pabón, Danny Rivera
Danny Rivera
Danny Rivera is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who was born in San Juan whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is well-known in Puerto Rico for his political activism.-Musical career:...
, Son by Four
Son By Four
Son by Four is a salsa music group from Puerto Rico, well-known for their English U.S. pop hit "Purest of Pain ". The group is signed to Sony Music Entertainment....
, Lunna
Lunna
Lunna , is a singer of Pop and Jazz who was the director of the television show Objetivo Fama, the Latin version of American Idol.-Early years:...
, Johnathan Dwayne
Johnathan Dwayne
Johnatan Dwayne is a musician, composer, and artist who introduced the musical concept of art rock into Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
, Huey Dunbar
Huey Dunbar
Huey Dunbar, , is the former singer of Dark Latin Groove. Born to a Puerto Rican mother and a Jamaican father, he was exposed to music since his earliest years due to his parents' musical careers...
with DLG, Rey Ruiz
Rey Ruiz
Rey Ruiz is a salsa singer from Cuba. Ruiz reached international fame across Latin America, Europe and among Hispanic music fans in the United States.-Biography:...
, Millie Corretjer
Millie Corretjer
Milagros Ninnete Corretjer Maldonado, known as, Millie CorretjerMilagros Ninnete Corretjer Maldonado, known as, Millie CorretjerMilagros Ninnete Corretjer Maldonado, known as, Millie Corretjer(b. April 18, 1974, is a Puerto Rican singer and actress. She is married to boxer Oscar De La Hoya.-Early...
, Chucho Avellanet
Chucho Avellanet
Armando Hipólito Avellanet González , nicknamed "Chucho" is a Puerto Rican singer and comedic actor...
, Jyve V
Jyve V
Jyve V is a Puerto Rican Latin pop band which got its first public exposure when they won dance contest "La Batalla de los Sexos" in 1997. Next year they won another dance contest held in Miami Beach. Jyve V did originally start as three member group consisting of Alex and brothers Jasond and...
, Lucy Fabery
Lucy Fabery
Lucy Fabery, born Luz Ercilia Fabery Zenón , is a Puerto Rican jazz singer. Fabery is also known as "La Muñeca de Chocolate" in recognition of her dark-skinned beauty.-Early years:...
, Dagmar
Dagmar (Puerto Rico entertainer)
Dagmar , is a Puerto Rican television host, comedian and singer.-Early years:Dagmar Rivera was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Dorado, Puerto Rico. She started her career as a teenage singer in 1976. The only hit single of her first album was Soy la Mañana , by Puerto Rican composer Rafi...
, José Nogueras
José Nogueras
José Nogueras is a composer, singer, guitarist, and performer of modern-day typical Puerto Rican music.In 2006, he received a liver transplant after suffering from acute cirrhosis and cancer. and was able to begin performing again in 2007...
and Charytín
Charytin
Charytín Goyco , better known in the show business plainly as Charytín, is a singer, television presenter and actress from the Dominican Republic...
, among others.
Lou Briel
Lou Briel
Lou Briel, is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.-Early Years with Anexo 3:...
performed in a segment titled Bohemia en Función (Bohemia in Performance), accompanied by a blind
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
guitarist from Añasco, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, called Roberto Rivera.
The show also featured a pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, directed by the Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
choreographer Marcelino Alcalá, called Ballet Voces, (Voices Ballet). Alcalá, also choreographed for the contestants, the opening numbers for the galas, as well as various musical productions for the host, and several guest stars.
Various notable singers that made their formal debut on Puerto Rican television through this show include Yaire
Yaire
Yaire is a singer-songwriter from Puerto Rico, better known for her emblematic hits "Tu mayor tentación", "Contéstame" and "Te amo tanto"...
, Noelia
Noelia
Noelia Lorenzo Monge , in San Juan, Puerto Rico), mostly known as Noelia, is a Puerto Rican pop singer who rose to fame in 1999. She is the first daughter of Puerto Rican singer Yolandita Monge....
, and the local rock group Fiel a la Vega
Fiel a la Vega
Fiel a la Vega is a Rock en Español band from Puerto Rico formed in 1994. Band members Tito Auger and Ricky Laureano come from the northern city of Vega Alta, while brothers Pedro Arraiza and Jorge Arraiza come from the city of Vega Baja, which is next to Vega Alta.-Early years :Childhood friends...
, among others.