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Pentatonix starred in several NBC Christmas specials, even playing a role in the 2018 animated film, The Grinch. Here’s what we know about this Grammy Award-winning a capella group.

Pentatonix members Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola perform on stage during the 83rd Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
Pentatonix members Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola perform on stage during the 83rd Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting | Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Pentatonix is the award-winning a capella group behind holiday songs like ‘That’s Christmas to Me’ and ‘Evergreen’

Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee are the self-proclaimed “choir nerds” behind the Grammy Award-winning a capella group Pentatonix. Together, these artists released several holiday records featuring well-known covers and original Christmas tunes. 

“It’s the best part of the year,” Scott Hoying said during a 2018 interview with Billboard. “You get to be with family, and it’s just so warm and cozy. A cappella blends with Christmas so well, and that’s why we did our first Christmas EP. ‘Carol of the Bells’ [from 2012’s PTXmas] did really well on YouTube, and it’s so much fun, so we made another album after that.”

In this version, Benedict Cumberbatch appeared as the title character. Although the Grinch hated Christmas — the whole Christmas season — several cheerful holiday songs are listed in the animated film’s soundtrack. 

One Pentatonix song is featured in the official soundtrack for Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. That’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Other artists with songs on this soundtrack include Tyler, The Creator, Danny Elfman (of The Nightmare Before Christmas), and Nat King Cole.

The following year, Pentatonix released their cover of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” complete with their music video. This wouldn’t be the first (or only) film that Pentatonix enjoyed a cameo. This a capella group appeared during the romantic comedy Pitch Perfect 2, performing a cover of “Any Way You Want It” by Journey.

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Pentatonix is known for their holiday music, even winning a Grammy Award for ‘Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy’

Pentatonix earned their first Grammy Award for their “Daft Punk” medley. Even holiday releases earned recognition at the award ceremony. That includes their adaptation of “Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy” which earned the award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella.

One of Pentatonix’s most popular songs is off of their holiday album A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe. That’s their cover of “Hallelujah,” which currently has over 270 million Spotify plays. Off of the same album, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” has over 45 million plays on the music streaming platform.

Pentatonix also participated in several Christmas-related projects. They even starred in several holiday specials, created in conjunction with NBC. The a capella group performed from Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for their Disney Parks Holiday Parade.

Music by the award-winning group, Pentatonix, including their albums That’s Christmas to Me and A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe, are available on most major streaming platforms. That includes Apple Music and Spotify.

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