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.

Formed in February of 1994, Metropolis has come to the attention of national television audiences within the past few years, beginning with their appearance on the pilot episode of Four Floor Show on E! Entertainment Television in June 1995 and the filming of a national Dr. Pepper commercial later that same year. They continue to make appearances in various media, most recently singing jingles for radio commercials and having appeared in the limited release film entitled "Pacino is Missing." The members of Metropolis have performed in a cappella groups on national and local television, film, radio, and in 28 different states and provinces including Florida, Michigan Minnesota, Hawaii, Alberta, Ontario, California, Arizona, and Nevada. They have competed in numerous different vocal styles encompassing Jazz, Doo-Wop, Broadway, R&B, Dixieland, Madrigal, and Opera. Members of the group are: Mike McGee, James Sabina, Bob Hartley, Brian.

Bay Area - +4db: +4db... is an a cappella vocal jazz quintet. This Bay Area group formed in August of 1996 and is the 1998 Bay Area Harmony Sweepstakes Regional Champion. They also won Audience Favorite and Best Arrangement awards in both 1997 and 1998. They have performed at the Freight and Salvage, and have opened for many groups such a s M-Pact!, the House Jacks, and Boyz Nite Out. They have been featured at major a cappella events such as "Hot August Harmony" in Santa Rosa and the West Coast A Cappella Summit in San Rafael. They have performed in the National Anthem at 3Com Park for the San Francisco Giants, and appeared on cable's "The Bruce Latimer Show."

Members: Paul Cingolani, David Duran, Juliet Green, Jay Jordana, Jay Quibodeaux

Boston - Ball In The House: Ball in the House is the 1998 New England Harmony Sweepstakes Champions, and they are extremely excited to represent Boston in the Nationals. Their goal is to use a cappella as a medium for their original music, bring together soul, funk, and pop/R&B sensibility to create their unique sound. Ball in the House brings together six members that hail from such well-known vocal groups as the Skidmore Bandersnatchers, the University of Pennsylvania's Six-5000, the University of Illinois' Other Guys, the Boston College Heightsmen. Ball in the House encourages you to get up and dance, clap, and enjoy their high energy show!

Chicago - Blind Man’s Bluff: David Wilner, Nick Geisinger, Chaz Ruhl, and Drew Breen and Blind Man's Bluff, Chicago's premier a cappella rock group. Performing together since January, 1997, this foursome quickly gained national recognition as the "vocal powerhouse" of Midwest. In the fall of '97, Bluff released their debut CD, Shades, which will be available following the show. This year, they are continuing their national tour, bringing their stylish cross of R&B and modern rock to audiences across the country. Performing everywhere from a cramped collegiate coffee house to opening for the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, Blind Man's Bluff exhibits a universal appeal which has become their trademark.

Members: David Wilner, Nick Geisinger, Chaz Ruhl, Drew Breen

Denver - Cool Shooz: From Colorado comes Cool Shooz. Cool Shooz is a Rock n’ Roll A Cappella! This group has been wowing Colorado audiences musically one moment, then making them laugh out loud the next, since 1990. They appeared here previously in 1996, and have since entertained thousands of people all over Colorado. Their unique sound is a blend of many years of individual experience shining opera, vocal jazz., musical theater, and rhythm and blues. You will notice two new faces and voices: Jeff King, the velvet-toed tenor, has performed here previously with The Diners. Also new is vocal percussionist Tom Connor - a fine tenor singer in his own right - adding his tasty percussion to finish the COOL SHOOZ sound. Hear their now-famous Bohemian Rhapsody tonight at the Afterglow, but for now, just sit back and enjoy...THE SHOOZ BROTHERS!?!

Los Angeles - Metropolis: Formed in February of 1994, Metropolis has come to the attention of national television audiences within the past few years, beginning with their appearance on the pilot episode of Four Floor Show on E! Entertainment Television in June 1995 and the filming of a national Dr. Pepper commercial later that same year. They continue to make appearances in various media, most recently singing jingles for radio commercials and having appeared in the limited release film entitled "Pacino is Missing." The members of Metropolis have performed in a cappella groups on national and local television, film, radio, and in 28 different states and provinces including Florida, Michigan Minnesota, Hawaii, Alberta, Ontario, California, Arizona, and Nevada. They have competed in numerous different vocal styles encompassing Jazz, Doo-Wop, Broadway, R&B, Dixieland, Madrigal, and Opera.

Mid-Atlantic (DC) - Acapelicans:  The Acapelicans are a three part ensemble from Melbourne, Australia that formed out of a love and mutual respect between Carl Pannuzzo, Sarah Liversidge, and Simon Nugent. Their combined voice pays a unique homage to the wondrous mystery of music through the dynamic possibilities of harmony in a repertoire of songs that is both sensitive and challenging. The Harmony Sweepstakes Finals is the last stop n their North American debut tour where they have quickly developed a strong following with their reverent performances of poignant originals and uniquely arranged classics.

Members: Carl Pannuzzo, Sarah Liversidge, Simon Nugent

New York - City Lights: City Lights offers a musical experience to remember. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes songs from traditional barbershop, jazz, Broadway and show tunes, to popular classics and contemporary music. In 1992 they captured the tittle of International Champions at the International Sweet Adelines Barbershop Quartet Competition. City Lights was honored in 1994 when they were invited to teach barbershop harmony at the Hungarian Choral Festival in Vezprem, Hungary. City Lights has performed across the country, appearing in barbershop shows as well as for general audiences. They have been on stage at New York City’s Carnage Hall and Rainbow Room and Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall. The quartet’s television credits include CBS’s WISH-TV in Indianapolis, and NBC News and ABC’s Good Morning Oklahoma in Oklahoma. Radio credits include the Perry & Price Show in Hawaii, and WQXR and KGTO in Oklahoma. The quartet’s CDs and cassettes, “Sophisticated Swing” and “City Lights” are available for purchase, and their latest recording is soon to be released.

Pacific NW - Heebee-Jeebees: The Heebee-Jeebees were founded in 1993 and are based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The quartet has been seen across Canada and the United States and has entertained 1,348,952 people (estimated) and 429 pets. Their music has won them accolades, including being crowned the first ever champions of the “Northern Harmony” a cappella competition in Canada. The group took home top honors as well as the “crowd favorite” trophy. In March of 1998 the group was also awarded “first place” and “audience favorite” awards at the Northwest Regional competition of the Harmony Sweepstakes. The Heebee-jeebees have recorded two albums, the first “Hurry Up & Wait” was the best selling independent album in Calgary when released in 1996. Their newest album “Waiting Under the Mistletoe” sold out of its first run in only four days, selling more than 1,000 copies in two weeks, making in Calgary’s best selling independent Christmas album ever! The album was also nominated for the CARA awards (Contemporary A Cappella Awards) for best holiday album and best humorous song.

Members: Chris Herard, Jonathan Love, Ken Lima-Coelho, Cedric Blary

Gene Puerling - Grammy award-winning vocal arranger.

Phil Elwood - Veteran music critic for the San Francisco Examiner

Phil Debar - Host of several a cappella radio shows including ARI

Jesse Hamlin - Senior music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle

Louise Robinson - Founding member of Sweet Honey In The Rock