www.harmony-sweepstakes.com
Rocky Mountain - 10 Los Angeles - 11 New York - 12 Pacific North West - 13 San Francisco - 14 Mid Atlantic (DC) The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music. The annual national competition draws from hundreds of vocal groups from around the country with regional competitions in eight cities. The winning group from each festival is flown to perform in front of celebrity judges and a sold out house of enthusiastic a cappella fans at the National Finals. Over the last few years as one of Australia's only fully professional vocal quartets, they have reinvented a cappella and taken it to new heights. Their stunning visual presence and incredible sound has built them a legion of adoring fans here and across Europe, Asia and the USA. The Idea of North is an exhilarating live act presenting a blend of uniquely arranged contemporary classics and original material. Thus at their own concerts and at corporate events audiences are treated to a show that includes spectacular original arrangements of artists as varied as Sting, Stevie Wonder and The Bee Gees, together with an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, gospel and originals. Having played with some of Australia's greats, including James Morrison and Don Burrows, "The Idea of North" has been shaping this new sound in music now for over eight years. It's a style grounded on the classic musicianship that these four friends crafted at two of Australia's premier music academies, the Canberra School of Music and the Elder Conservatorium of Music (Adelaide). Members - Trish Delaney-Brown, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie, Andrew Piper Special thanks to our sponsors 18 Discmakers, 19 Shure Microphones and 20 Primarily A Cappella 21 Complete list of all 2004 regional participants 2004 National Finalists 22 Bay Area - 23 Clockwork: Creative precision through planning, skill and experience. All arrangements are written by and for the members of the group, with influences drawn from Gene Puerling, Phil Mattson, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker and many others. From Latin grooves to hip shuffles, these five voices make the listener forget that there are no instruments playing. Their precise intonation and timing make a bass and drums unnecessary, and their arrangements leave a pianist with nothing left to add". A certifiably unique pop a cappella outfit, INPULSE incorporates award-winning soloists with driving percussion, using only their mouths and microphones to create a groove that is second to none. This five-member group is comprised of classically trained vocalists and utilizes the art of vocal percussion to entertain all audiences with their energetic stage performance. INPULSE endeavors to advance the art of a cappella into mainstream pop-culture on the world stage through original music, engaging performances and the education of young singers. Members: Michael Espinoza, Gabe Koxlien, Matt McDonald, Paul Donnelly and Marcus Hanson. As the 2001 International Collegiate A Cappella Grand Champions and three-time winners of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes, Chapter 6 quickly made a name for themselves in the a cappella music community. In 2003, the groups third CD, "Christmastime" was nominated by the Contemporary A Cappella Society for Best Christmas Album and Song. Stonecipher, Jarrett Johnson, John Musick, Mark Grizzard, Charles Bosworth 28 New York - 29 Vox Bop is a mixed a cappella quartet that performs a wide variety of musical styles, from the lyrical beauty of the Renaissance to the lush harmonies of the Jazz Era to eclectic arrangements of pop classics. Vox Bop won the best award for Best Original Song at the 2001 National Harmony Sweepstakes after winning many awards at the New York City Regionals in 2001. The group was interviewed and featured in a 12-minute piece on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" in December 1999. During the summer of 2000, Vox Bop was a featured performer at the Alandia Jazz Festival in Finland. Members: David Deschamps, Peter Fisher, Maura May, and Melissa Munn. While their roots lie in the barbershop style, they love to dabble in jazz, blues, and contemporary music. And although the group likes to experiment with various musical styles, entertaining audiences is always at the top of their priority list. They have been fortunate in their travels to share the stage with the likes of Rockapella, The Smothers Brothers and former National Harmony Sweepstakes Champions, Perfect Gentleman and Metropolis. Currently, they are New Englands highest ranking International Barbershop Quartet. So, sit back, relax better yet, snap your fingers, tap your toes and be ready to be on the edge of your seat, as Road Show treats you to an acapella experience youre sure to love! Members - Mike Gabriella, Mike Maino, Bob OConnell, Rick Spencer 32 Los Angeles - 33 Alpha - Back in the early 90s, Alpha brought imagination, determination, and integrity to their artistry when the model for groups of their kind was a safe commercial blend. Their superiority in every aspect of vocal arranging and performing began to get them known in Puerto Rico and Latin America. Their performances in major sporting events, as background vocalist with award winning vocalist and bands, and several appearances on entertainment TV programs has earned them their place as one of the most enduring and best-loved vocal groups in Puerto Rico. Truly inspired by groups like Boyzz to Men, Glad, and Take 6, Alpha fashioned their own a cappella style: a Latin Jazz Gospel vocal band where ALL the instruments are sung instead of played. Get ready to have the most fun you can legally have while listening a cappella. Members - Edgar Rios, Abel Martinez, Abi Hernandez, Ludwig Henderson, Sonlys Andino, Shalom Rodriguez, and Johnny Davis Figueroa. In 1998, they won First Place and Audience favourite at the Pacific North West Harmony Sweeps, becoming the first Canadian group to advance to the Sweeps finals. The groups recordings have won 3 CARA recording awards, including Best Comedy Album and Best Comedy Song. Members - Chris Herard, Jonathan Love, Ken Lima-Coelho, Cedric Blary 36 Mid-Atlantic - 37 Mosaic is a six-man a cappella group with an off-the wall style, intricate harmony, and a "get up out yo' seat" beat. They cover a wide range of popular music in new and exciting ways. Mosaic is a collaboration of minds and talents that form a truly unique show you don't want to miss. We are always seeking groups who would like to compete in our events. Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between 3 and 7 members. We have a rule book which explains many of the details of the event, which you can see by 57 clicking here. Generally this is done by sending a current tape and photo, although live auditions are sometimes arranged. The purpose of the audition is to make sure the group is appropriate for the Festival and to help the Director determine the performance order. If a group has competed previously, the audition process may be waived. The Festival embraces all styles of music performed a cappella, from the traditional forms of doo-wop and barbershop, gospel and jazz to the exciting and innovative new directions of contemporary vocal music. Participation in the Harmony Sweepstakes has bolstered the careers of many acts over the years. Not only do winners of both the regional and national competitions gain attention for their accomplishments, but the steady rise in a cappella's popularity has drawn numerous music industry scouts to these gatherings, all searching for undiscovered talents The Festival's growing credibility within the music industry has brought added recognition to recent champs such as the Trenchcoats, m-pact and the Knudsen Brothers, who are all enjoying increased earnings and visibility since their wins. To further support all participating groups, 1993 saw the birth of a new Sweepstakes tradition: the release of a sampler CD featuring tracks from all competitors Which brings us to what really makes the Harmony Sweepstakes a success year after year: our fans. Despite all this unexpected success, we still feel that our greatest accomplishment has been our...
|
http://csua.com/feed/