Vox Machine performs at a school assembly Friday morning. (Lauren Adams/KUCB)

This weekend, Unalaska’s being invaded -- by a cappella.

Vox Machine is an all-vocal ensemble with roots in Boston. They were invited to Unalaska to perform at Just Desserts. It's a fundraiser for the Aleutian Arts Council.

But during the rest of their short visit, the singing group has performed in classrooms and at school assemblies. They’re even planning to hit the high school prom tomorrow.

A disclosure: KUCB’s own Annie Ropeik helped get this group to town. All of the singers in Vox Machine are her friends -- people she met during her time singing a cappella back in college.

Ropeik: "I wanted to bring them here because I knew that they’re really talented singers and that they would deliver for the community -- they would put on a really good show even if it was something a little bit different."

Unalaska’s high school doesn’t have an a cappella group, or even a choir. But it does have a well-established band program.

Vox Machine dropped in to talk with Unalaska’s young musicians on Friday morning, after performing at an assembly for the whole school.

They took questions from the kids about singing, and making a career in music. They also took some requests. One student asked to hear the Miley Cyrus pop ballad, “Wrecking Ball.” It’s not in Vox Machine’s repertoire.

Shams Ahmed: "No, but we totally COULD do “Wrecking Ball.”

[sound of "Wrecking Ball"]

That song wasn’t rehearsed. But most a cappella performances require a lot of work. Vox Machine’s director, Shams Ahmed, said that the voices have to do everything -- backup music, drums, sound effects.

Ahmed: "So we’re just going to basically break down our parts for you so you can see how they work."

The example song is “Domino,” by the British singer Jessie J. Vox Machine’s soloist, Sam Creighton, sang the melody.

At first, she was joined by the rhythm section -- the bass singer and beatboxer.

Ahmed: "Ready? 2-3-4-1."

[sound of "Domino"]

Then, Creighton sang with her backup music. And then they put it all together:

[chorus of "Domino," students applaud]

Vox Machine will perform tonight at Just Desserts, put on by the Aleutian Arts Council. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Unalaska Methodist Church.