20th Annual

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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.

2004 National Champions

Chapter 6

When the men of Chapter 6 began singing together in college, none of them had any idea that in just five years time, they would have performed over 550 concerts in 25 states. 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 groupĖs third CD, "Christmastime"‡ was nominated by the Contemporary A Cappella Society for Best Christmas Album and Song. With their tight vocal harmonies, award-winning original arrangements, and diversity of repertoire, it is easy to understand the groupĖs appeal."

Members:- Luke Menard, Nathan Pufall, A.D. Stonecipher, Jarrett Johnson, John Musick, Mark Grizzard, Charles Bosworth

2004 Results

National Champions

Chapter 6

2nd

Clockwork

3rd (Tie)

Mosaic
Inpulse

Audience Favorite

Chapter 6

Best Original Song

"Obsession" - Marcus Hanson - Inpulse

The David Lichtman Award
Best Original Arrangement

"Theme And Variations On It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing". - arr. Mark Grizzard - Chapter 6

National Finals set list

Complete list of all 2004 regional participants


2004 National Finalists

Bay Area - Clockwork: Creative precision through planning, skill and experience. A cappella from a jazz point of view. 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. "Their performance ranges from beautiful ballads to complex harmonized bebop lines normally only performed by an experienced saxophone section. 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". - Hip Pocket, the magazine for jazz singers

Members: Angie Doctor, Eric Freeman, John Paddock, Jim Hale and Stephen Saxon


Denver - Inpulse is the Twin CitiesĖ hottest new vocal band. 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.


Chicago - When the men of Chapter 6 began singing together in college, none of them had any idea that in just five years time, they would have performed over 550 concerts in 25 states. 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 groupĖs third CD, "Christmastime"‡ was nominated by the Contemporary A Cappella Society for Best Christmas Album and Song. With their tight vocal harmonies, award-winning original arrangements, and diversity of repertoire, it is easy to understand the groupĖs appeal."

Members:- Luke Menard, Nathan Pufall, A.D. Stonecipher, Jarrett Johnson, John Musick, Mark Grizzard, Charles Bosworth


New York - 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. They also appeared as the house band on a Christmas taping of NBC-TV's "The Ainsley Harriott Show" and in a national television ad for Amazon.com. 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.


Pacific NW - Heebee-jeebees are two-time winners of the Canadian A Cappella Championships--Northern Harmony. 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 Heebee-jeebees have released 4 CDs. "Hurry Up and Wait" is a collection of 50s classics. "Heebee-jeebeeTV" is all original material, including a collection of Hj movies. "Waiting Under the Mistletoe" and "Fa La La La La" contain fun new takes on holiday favorites. The groupšs 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


Mid-Atlantic - 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.


Boston - Since Formed at the start of the new millennium, Road Show has competed and entertained audiences from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Portland, Oregon and everywhere in between. 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. Despite their youthful vigor and an average age of ?just-over-30-something,3⁄4 (thanks Rick!), Road Show has amassed more than 100 years of combined acapella singing (most of them started as kids)! 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 England1⁄4s highest ranking International Barbershop Quartet.

Members - Mike Gabriella, Mike Maino, Bob OšConnell, Rick Spencer


Los Angeles - Alpha - Back in the early 90¼s, 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 played¾. Get ready to have the most fun you can legally have while listening a cappella. ° Que sabor!

Members - Edgar Rios, Abel Martinez, Abi Hernandez, Ludwig Henderson, Sonlys Andino, Shalom Rodriguez, and Johnny Davis Figueroa.


Judges

Joe Jennings joined Chanticleer as a countertenor in 1983, and shortly thereafter assumed his current title of Music Director. Under his direction, Chanticleer has released 25 critically acclaimed recordings (works ranging from Gregorian chant to Renaissance masterworks to jazz), including the GRAMMY Award-winning "Colors of Love" and "Lamentations and Praises", and has performed at many of the worldšs most prestigious festivals and concert halls. He has also composed for such ensembles as The San Francisco Girls Chorus, Phillip Brunelle's Plymouth Music Series, The GALA V Festival Chorus, The New York City Gay Men's Chorus, The Dale Warland Singers, The Phoenix Bach Choir, and the Los Angeles Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble. His compositions and arrangements are published by Oxford University Press,

Phil Debar - A SPEBSQSA contest judge, chorus director and itinerant baritone, Phil hosted local a cappella radio shows on KRCB Santa Rosa ('95-'03) and KKUP Cupertino ('85-'04); and was co-founder (with Deke Sharon and Buddy Saleman) and host of CASA's "A Cappella Radio International" from 1996-2002 . He started in a cappella with the Stanford Mendicants ('78), served as a substitute baritone for Chanticleer in '84, earned 3 Down Beat jazz "dee-bee" awards in the Foothill College Fanfairs ('86-8), and has sung in 6 Northern California champion barbershop quartets. Phil will co-host the live video webcast of the International Quartet and Chorus Championships this June 30-July 3 on www.spebsqsa.org

Steve Baker - has been Executive Director of the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse for the past eight years. Before joining the Freight family, Steve worked extensively as a guitarist and singer. The Freight, which celebrates its 36th anniversary this June, is a nonprofit art organization dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of folk, roots, acoustic, and traditional music. It is the Bay Area "home" for a cappella groups with regular performances by The Bobs, House Jacks, Edlos and many, many others.

Laura Moody - Known on air as "Laura in the Livingroom", Laura is a veteran of Bay Area radio. She has had a show for 20 years on UC Berkeley's KALX (90.7 FM) Radio, one of the nation's most influential college radio stations, where she did an extended stint as music director. Laura has a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science specializing in Music Librarianship. As an undergraduate, Laura studied voice and percussion at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Il. An avid music lover with a seasoned and critical ear, Laura enjoys all types of music from Ayler to Zappa.

Dave Worm - Oakland native, David Worm began his singing career in 1985 with the Bay Area groups Jazz Mouth and Vocal Front. In 1989 he became a founding member of Bobby McFerrinšs Voicestra ensemble and has remained a regular performer with Mcferrin, being featured on recordings videos and touring with the early Quartet Hard Choral, and McFerrrin's recent project Circlesongs. David is also one of the original founding members of the a cappella group SoVoSo, with whom he still performs. SoVoSo has released 5 albums and tours internationally. David has worked extensively with the Bay Area Dance community, having scored or co-written original works for ODC, Robert Moses Kin,( this work being a recipient of an Isadora Duncan Award), Tandy Beal, Project Bandaloop(an Isadora Duncan Award nominee), Axis Dance( another Isadora Duncan Award nominee) and Suzanne Gallo. Davidšs music has also been used in scoring the film documentaries ŅStepUpæ and ŅLove Francescaæ. David has over 40 record credits as a session singer, is in-house producer for sales America and has appeared in music videos for Kawasaki and Levi Strauss


National Finals 2004

Happy Birthday - Alpha
Themes/Variations on It Don't Mean A Thing- Chapter 6
Blue Bayou - Idea Of North
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Clockwork
Salsa Te Triago Yo - Alpha
7th Wheel - Chapter 6
Charlie on the M.T.A - Heebee-Jeebees
Take 5 - Mosaic
St. Louis Blues - Road Show
I've Got Rhythm/Fascinatin' Rhythm - Clockwork
God Bless This Child - Vox Bop
Obsession - Impulse
Cree (Believe) - AlphaKiss From A Rose - Impulse
Isn't She Lovely - Idea of North
Use the Force - Heebee Jeebees
The Commercial Medley - Vox Bop
Bye Bye Blues - Road Show
Shining Star - Mosaic 

This year's Harmony Sweepstakes reminded all who participated, how magical making music can be. Now, we all can share that magic by listening toÊthis excellent live recording. With 20 years gone by, this national competition is still going strong and bringing out the very best in a cappella singing.This year's show had an excellent assortment of various styles, including jazz, pop, contemporary, latin and much more. There were lots of humorous moments, including the national champions, Chapter Six's original song, "7th Wheel", as well as somber/uplifting moments including the beautiful performance of "Kiss From A Rose" by Impulse. Of course no one could forget Clockwork's performance of "Inna-Godda-Da-Vida" or Vox Bop's "Commercial medley". With continuous stellar performances from all eight groups, this 19 track CD is sure to keep you entertained.

2004 CD $14.98

Click Here for Past Harmony Sweepstakes Recordings


Past Results: 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001- 2000 - 1999 - 1998


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