CAMDEN — The Boston a cappella group Overboard is about to swoop into Camden this weekend. They started off in 2006 as street performers entertaining audiences around Massachusetts, Vermont and Freeport during the summer. But as word of their intense high-energy act spread following their first album, they decided to make performances a full-time gig.

Beyond their tight harmonies, and intricate arrangements, they’re into philanthropy and helping people with their music.

They arrive Friday for a three-day tour, beginning with a free matinee concert for middle school students at the Camden Opera House (where kids will be coming from all over the state to see them).

Friday afternoon, they’ll go to the Camden Hills Regional High School to work with the chorus group. They jam into gear Saturday night with a public performance at the Camden Opera House followed by a free performance for prisoners Sunday at the Maine State Prison.

Bay Chamber Concerts Communication Director Ed Geis said: “It’s not your typical performance, whether it’s a prison or a nursing home. They bring music into the lives of people who don’t usually have access or exposure to it.”

He added: “They are an up-and-coming band. I haven’t seen them live, yet, but what I’ve seen from their videos they’re pretty talented. For five people to get on stage and entertain a crowd with just microphones for an hour and a half will be pretty special.”

So what can you expect?

Their music ranges from classics like Amazing Grace to modern pop such as Moves Like Jagger. (See their Justin Timberlake cover video embedded in this story.)

There will be no musical instruments on stage. Everything you hear, including sound effects and percussion, is a cappella. Just take a listen to some of the tracks on their 2009 Beatles concept album titled Help! Even the sound of the crowd cheering in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band comes from vocal tricks.

Overboard has been featured entertainment for the likes of American Idol, PUMA and Mitsubishi, as well as on the CBS Early Show.They were also nominated for 10 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards and 18 A Cappella Community Awards in the last three years.

Tickets for the public performance Saturday night are $25 for adults; under 25 years, $10.  They can be purchased at Bay Chamber Concerts or at the door of the Camden Opera House. The concert starts at 7 p.m.

 Slim Goodbody Corp./John and Christine Burstein of Lincolnville are sponsoring the residency (matinee and workshop) and Camden Harbour Inn is a lodging sponsor”for these event. As such, ticket holders will be invited back to Natalie’s at the end of the Saturday evening performance for specialty cocktails and to mingle with the performers. 

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com