The Chromatics:

  Rocket Scientists on a Mission

Their work is truly out of this world, both musically and physically. They are The Chromatics, a unique a cappella group whose members happen to be some of the greatest scientific and tech minds around. Karen and Alan Smale are just two of this six-member vocal ensemble that has been performing for appreciative audiences across the country since the early 1990s. "We have a more contemporary pop style," explained Mr. Smale. "We are nothing like a barbershop or madrigal style group." The group has an impressive repertoire, singing everything from the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" to the B-52's "Love Shack" and even patriotic pieces like "America the Beautiful."

The group has an impressive repertoire, singing everything from the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" to the B-52's "Love Shack" …

But they are perhaps most well-known for their efforts in making the complexities of astronomy and physics more understandable and just plain entertaining for science students, their teachers and many appreciative fans. Their "Astrocapella" project began one day when Mr. Smale and fellow "Chromie" Padi Boyd, both astrophysicists for NASA, were discussing recent grant recipients of NASA's Initiative to Develop Education through Astronomy program, or IDEA. "We knew of the research that proves a connection between music and memory," Mr. Smale said. "We also knew there is still a perception among some students that math and science are subjects to be feared and avoided."

Building on the concept of the old "Schoolhouse Rock" program - in which millions of kids learned grammar, mathematical, and historical facts through entertaining musical interludes on Saturday morning TV - the Chromatics developed "Astrocapella." It's a classroom-ready collection of upbeat pop songs, lesson plans and background information on subjects like the sun, the moon, X-rays and gamma rays, nuclear fusion, black holes and quasars for middle and high school classrooms.

Astronaut John Grunsfeld even took a copy of their "AstroCappella" CD with him during his flight on the space shuttle Discovery in December of 1999.
(Excerpted from A Cappella News)

Learn more about AstroCappella, The Chromatics and download their catchy tune about Galileo, “The Shoulders of Giants" at www.astrocappella.com