Sixth Wave is an a cappella jazz/pop/rock group that performs unaccompanied originals and novel arrangements of familiar tunes. The six singers in the "band" are all accomplished studio and concert singers who can be heard in venues ranging from local concert halls to opera stages, from rock and jazz clubs to movie theatres. Their wide experience allows them to sing a variety of styles, showcasing them as individual soloists as well as a tight jazz/pop/rock ensemble. Because all of the arrangements are created by members of the group, Sixth Wave's sound is fresh and original.
Members: Elin Carlson, soprano Cindy Bourquin, soprano Amy Fogerson, alto Gerald White, tenor Gary Rosen, baritone Eric Bradley, bass

2001 Results

Freestyle(Bay Area) Current Champions of the Far Western District, barbershop quartet Freestyle are known for not only their great singing but also their zany antics, characterized as "a few fries short of a Happy Meal." Recently named Entertainment Champions at the prestigious Buckeye Invitational, their memorable show is sure to please, and members of the group have appeared on countless stages and milk cartons throughout the land. Tenor Todd Kidder recently gave up his dream of being the first 5 ft. 9 in. center of the NBA, while bass Bruce Morgan is the (Volvo) owner of a (Volvo) dealership in (Volvo) Santa Rosa, but does not use this venue (Volvo) for his own personal (Volvo) gain. Baritone Andy Wallace is an unassuming financial mastermind, collecting paperclips in his spare time. Lead Rich Brunner is the best-looking member of the quartet and his mother really loves him. It s Freestyle entertainment tonight!

Members: Todd Kidder, Bruce Morgan, Rich Brunner, Andy Wallace

T Minus 5 (Denver) is the result of two different a cappella groups that hit the stage during the 90’s. After these two groups went their separate ways, a couple of the members from each group wanted to continue to perform. They collaborated with each other and agreed they would combine efforts in establishing a new and improved "vocal band". You couldn’t ask for five better individuals in a group. Each individual brings a specialty that is complemented by another member’s talent, creating a show that is both dynamic and charismatic. This quality is what gives T Minus 5 such a dynamic stage presence and overall personality. Visit them at www.tminus5.net.

Members: Kent Hyer, Jason Salmond, Joe Cheney, Jeff Petersen, Jared Allen

Voice Trek (Chicago) - is described by critics as "world class," and is known for superb blend, complex harmonies, and creative musical arrangements. Voice Trek is a well-respected ingredient on the Minnesota music scene, and is a two-time winner of the Minnesota Music Award's "Best swing and mainstream jazz vocal group". This vocal quintet was formed in 1987 and continues into its fourteenth year with all the original members. Voice Trek consists of three sisters, Shelley (Soprano), Vicki (Second Soprano), and Rae Plaster (Alto), Denis Allaire, (Music Director/Tenor) (a brother-in-law), and Kevin Smith (Bass), (a brother by association!). This "family" of singers has an eclectic repertoire, including jazz, classical, sacred, folk, parodies, and children's favorites. They have toured nationally and internationally, (including Montreal & Montreux) presenting concerts and conducting jazz residencies. Until last year, the group worked with a five piece instrumental backup band. This past year Voice Trek ventured into the exciting, fulfilling world of a cappella singing.

Vox Bop (New York) - is a mixed a cappella quartet with ultra-smooth voices reminiscent of The Manhattan Transfer and a wry baby-boomer sensibility. Founded in 1995 by David Deschamps, who also does the arranging, Vox Bop was interviewed and featured in a 12-minute piece on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" on Christmas Eve 1999. They can be currently heard in a national Amazon.com TV ad and were featured as the house band on NBC-TV  "The Ainsley Harriott Show." Vox Bop's first CD, THE VOX BOP CHRISTMAS VARIETY HOUR, has been much acclaimed: it was nominated for a 1998 CARA award, with one of the cuts ("Mission of The Three Kings") winning Best Arrangement at the 1999 NYC Harmony Sweepstakes. In the summer of 2000 Vox Bop performed at The Alandia Jazz festival in Finland and has also made a name for itself performing for a variety of clients throughout the Northeast, including Bloomberg Financial, Bloomingdales, Borders Books, The Brooklyn Museum, Filene ŸÙs, The New Press, Starbucks, and many others. The group finished in the top five at the NYC regionals of the 1998 and 1999 Harmony Sweepstakes and is currently at work on their new CD, "Affluenza." 

Members: John Bischoff, David Deschamps, Johanna Grussner and Maura May

So Rare (Boston) is an award-winning women's a cappella quartet singing smooth sounds and intricate harmonies. No vocal percussion here, just perfectly blended chords in a varied repertoire including swing, jazz, modern and contemporary. Brought together by their love of close harmony, these talented ladies have been entertaining audiences for six years. SoRare! has been 1st runner up in the Boston Area Harmony Sweepstakes Competition for 1998, 1999, and 2000 before becoming this year's winners. They are a five-time medalist quartet in the North Atlantic Regional Quartet Competition of Sweet Adelines International. They have performed extensively throughout New England including, Worcester's 1st Night Celebrations, Bridgewater s 4th of July featured entertainers and performer of the National Anthem, Stellar A Cappella, A Cappella Gold, opening night for the Boston Celtics where they performed for Bill Russell, several area shows, clubs and private parties. They have recently released their 1st CD entitled, SoRare! Well Done!

Members: Karen Christofi, Jannis M. Williams, Donna Manoogian, Arlene Isaac

Sixth Wave (Los Angeles) is an a cappella jazz/pop/rock group that performs unaccompanied originals and novel arrangements of familiar tunes. The six singers in the "band" are all accomplished studio and concert singers who can be heard in venues ranging from local concert halls to opera stages, from rock and jazz clubs to movie theatres. Their wide experience allows them to sing a variety of styles, showcasing them as individual soloists as well as a tight jazz/pop/rock ensemble. Because all of the arrangements are created by members of the group, Sixth Wave's sound is fresh and original.

Members: Elin Carlson, soprano Cindy Bourquin, soprano Amy Fogerson, alto Gerald White, tenor Gary Rosen, baritone Eric Bradley, bass

Eclipse , (Pacific NW) - is an ensemble of six who met while attending Utah State University in northern Utah. They have performed extensively with the USU Department of Programs and Entertainment, which was instrumental in helping them gain exposure when they were getting started. In January 2000, they toured Thailand with Colors and the USU Sunburst Singers. Last year they were featured on a Christmas CD produced for the USU Aggie Carolers. Eclipse is currently recording their own debut album, due out in March 2001. Their repertoire consists of an eclectic mix of vocal jazz, pop, R&B, and even big band tunes.

Members: Paul Hansen, Kevin Jones, Shayne Taylor, Pat Rose, Dan Kartchner, Kirk Mecham

4:2: Five (Mid-Atlantic) 4:2:Five is not your parents' a cappella. What used to be street-corner barbershop and doo-wop, has now evolved into a fresh new sound and 4:2:Five is right at the breakpoint. With driving vocal bass, slamming vocal percussion, and tight harmonies, these five young men create a sound that is all their own using nothing more than their highly trained mouths. 4:2:Five has performed at the 2000 Orlando International Fringe Festival, on several radio stations, and won Ed McMahons internet based talent search www.Nextbigstar.com. The guys have been seen at NBC's Today Show, every news station in the Orlando area, and you might even catch 4:2:Five on a television commercial or doing a jingle on the radio. 4:2:Five's unique sound is derived from the diverse backgrounds of it s members, the individual talents possessed by each, and the belief that the music always has and always will come first.

Members: Earl Elkins, Jr., James May, Layne Stein, Geoff Castellucci, Scott Porter

Dean Suzuki
Steve Baker
Sandi Cressman
Richard Greene
Rhiannon