VOCES EN FUNCIóN

In 1995, Puerto Rican PBS television station WIPR-TV, then called, TV-6 & TV-3, broadcast the first singing competition in decades on the island, since ''Tribuna del Arte'' in the 1950s and 1960s, through WKAQ radio station and Telemundo TV, hosted by the late and legendary Puerto Rican MC, Rafael Quiñones Vidal.
It was called Voces en Funcion, (Voices in Performance) and was hosted by Puerto Rican singer Lou Briel.
Voces en Función, established a format, later utilized by other similar shows in Puerto Rico, notably Objetivo Fama.
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 series. A jury, composed of all-rounders, 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 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 were broadcast at the same time by the Internet Red, and it also was the first television series taped ''on-location'', at the ''Yaguez'' Theater, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, on a weekly basis.
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 Benitez, Nydia Caro, Carmita Jimenez, Santos Colon, Marian Pabon, Danny Rivera, Son by Four, Lunna, Johnathan Dwayne, DLG, Rey Ruiz, Millie Corretjer, Chucho Avellanet, Jyve V, Lucy Fabery, and Charytin, among others.
Lou Briel, performed in a segment called ''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 coreographer Marcelino Alcalá, called ''Ballet Voces'', (Voices Ballet). Alcalá, also coreographed for the contestants, the opening numbers for the galas, as well as various musical productions for the host, and several guest stars.
Well known young Puerto Rican singers, made their debut in the show, such as: Yaire, Noelia, and the local rock group, Fiel a la Vega, among others.
Voces en Función, aired from 1995 to 2001, when it was cancelled for unknown reasons, as of today.

Contents

See also

External link

See also

★ List of U.S. television series

★ Pop culture in Puerto Rico-1990s

★ Lou Briel

External link

★ http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voces_en_Funci%C3%B3n