2004 Contestants in Alphabetical Order

Alchemy ­ a barbershop quartetŠ Yes, that and more. With a combined a cappella experience of almost 100 years (WOW they donıt look that old?), their obvious joy in singing is augmented by their unique approach to performingŠ something you have to experience first-hand to best appreciate. Expect to be taken on an unusual journey as they bring you places you never knew you wanted to be.

 

Members: - Ken Gillie, George Sotos, Rick Anthoney and Mark Keever

Chapter 6 - When the men of Chapter 6 began singing together in college, none of them had any idea that in just three years time, they would have performed over 500 concerts in 25 states and sold over 14,000 CDs. As the 2001 International Collegiate A Cappella Grand Champions and two-time winners of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes, Chapter 6 quickly made a name for themselves in the a cappella music community. In 2003, the group's third CD, Christmastime¸ was nominated by the Contemporary A Cappella Society for Best Holiday Album and Song. With their tight vocal harmonies, award-winning original arrangements, and diversity of repertoire, it is easy to understand the groupıs appeal. Just off a 250-show run at Branson, Missouriıs Celebration Theatre, Chapter 6 is gearing up for another busy year. The group will again be touring, so please check the website for specific dates and locations. Chapter 6 looks forward to future opportunities including returning to Branson to perform at The Opera House Theater, appearing at the Kathy & Judy Listener Convention in Chicago, and performing The Symphonic Pops Consortium's "The Nifty Fifties" with numerous symphony orchestras across the country. In their spare time, the guys will be recording their fourth CD entitled "Swing Shift", which is due to be released in April 2004.

 

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

The Coverdales formed in the Spring of 2003 as graduation from Indiana University was rapidly approaching. Having performed together in IU's nationally renowned men's a cappella group, Straight No Chaser, Ryan Ahlwardt, Michael Luginbill, Jon Mulholland, and Michael Seidenstein soon set off for the high seas. The quartet sailed onboard the Celebrity Cruise Line vessel, GTS Summit, performing for six months in various locales such as Alaska, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These four gentlemen proudly bring their love for singing and performing together to you tonight and hope you enjoy their tight harmonies, outstanding soloists, and dynamic charisma.

Four Bettys is an a cappella quartet singing a wide variety of music for any occasion! With a combined 40+ years singing and numerous national and international awards, they share a passion for performing. In 2002 and again in 2003 they won Silver Medals at the SAI Reg. 3 in Michigan, and in were named Female Quartet Champs at the Buckeye Invitational in Ohio. They can be seen performing for corporate events, on Barbershop Shows and singing the National Anthem at a Cubs game!

 

Members:- Wendy Ahlgrim-Bellandi, Lynda Keever, Cori Albrecht, Heather Mears

Rendevous is a mixed a cappella quartet from the Chicago area. They have very diverse interests and careers, but share a common joy in singing a cappella music. All four are accomplished singers in the barbershop style, now they get together to sing in a style that is truly their own. Their repertoire ranges from popular songs to jazz, folk and gospel, and there is sure to be something for everybody in each of their performances. Rendezvous has performed in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Oregon, New Mexico, and as far away as St. Petersburg, Russia. They recently recorded a new jingle for Empire Today (formerly Empire) Carpets. Check out www.harmonize.ws/rendezvous to find a list of upcoming performances, or to get your copy of their debut CD.

 

Members:- Lynda Keever, Jennifer Schwarz, Mark Keever, and Andy Isbell

 

Straight No Chaser was founded in September 1996 by Dan Ponce. He mentioned the idea of an a cappella group to some friends in Singing Hoosiers, and they became the original members of SNC. The group had their first performance in October 1996 at the Dance Marathon. SNC went on to perform at sororities, dorms, and anywhere else they could find an audience. They began recording their first CD, "Straight No Chaser", in October 1997, and it was released in January 1998. In February 1998, they entered the National Championship of Collegiate A cappella. After winning the first round and the semi-finals, SNC flew to the National Championship in New York at Carnegie Hall, placing 2nd. SNC signed on with the Alumni Association in 1998 as their official performing group, In December 1998, SNC released their second CD, "Last Call", then "Live From Alumni Hall" was released in December 1999. After several sponsored tours, the release of "Indiana" in 2000, and the release of "Thank You" in 2002, Straight No chaser is still going strong.

 

Stripped Strip away the labels, limits, and boundaries and you have an exciting adventure in vocal music. Tonight youıll hear five award winning vocalists, each bringing a unique style and flair to this cutting edge vocal band. The members of STRIPPED have formed a strong musical bond that gives their sound an unmistakable warmth. They have tremendous freedom to express themselves as outstanding soloists and together they form a whole more powerful than the sum of its parts. They inspire, educate, and often amuse, while also encouraging the listener to sing along. In addition to performing, the members of STRIPPED have founded Breaking Boundaries Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people find ways to creatively express themselves. Each member brings to the table their years of international performing experience, music education, and spiritual motivation. Through community outreach, clinics, masterclasses, and multimedia workshops, they teach people how to connect with others in new and exciting ways. Our hope is to show each person the joy that comes from finding and following their own inner voice. So open up your ears and prepare to be STRIPPED!

 

Vocal Chaos is an all-male a cappella band performing classic rock and popular music from the past four decades, including hits ranging from the Jackson 5 and the Rolling Stones to MatchBox 20 and the Dave Matthews Band, and everything in between. Founded in 1996, this semi-pro group (consisting of consultants, actors, programmers, marketers, teachers, service reps, and map-makers by day) performs throughout the Chicagoland area at corporate events, charity functions, and a host of other public venues. These guys live to sing the songs you know and love in a way youıve never heard them before!

Judges 2004

 

Jennifer Chada's musical style would best be described as eclectic.  She's been singing everything from jingles and jazz to pop and cabaret over the last 15 years.  In addition to major roles in Chicago area musicals, she recently returned from Los Angeles where she sang alongside Patti Austin and jazz legend Jack Sheldon in Cy Coleman and Alan & Marilyn Bergman's premiere collaboration "Like Jazz" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre.  She is an award winning cabaret artist with two critically acclaimed shows under her belt and she's currently busy in the studio singing soprano with "TONIC", Chicago's premiere Vintage Jazz Vocal Quartet due to release their first CD this spring.  (www.jenniferchada.com)

Will Clinger is currently the Host and Segment Producer of the television program Wild Chicago (WTTW/Channel 11), and his work on it has earned him fourteen Midwest Emmys. The show just celebrated fifteen years on the air with the special Wild Chicago‚s Wildest Moments: Fifteen Years in One Hour. He has also produced, written and hosted several documentaries, including Vanishing Act - Memories of Vaudeville, for which he won another Midwest Emmy and was recognized by both the National Owl Awards and the CEN (Central Education Network) Awards. Will has appeared as an actor on film, television and stage and bears a startling resemblance to Willie B. Famous of the 3-part harmony, almost a cappella group The Famous Brothers.

Patti Lupo keeps busy with...Patti Lupo Music, a musical services company providing entertainment for weddings, parties, and corporate events....Blue Skies (blueskiesmusic.com), an exciting 4-part vocal group that performs at concerts and special events....The Caroling Party, Chicago's premier Christmas caroling group....newly released CD entitled "Change Partners", a collection of jazz standards with a tasteful trio of splendid musicians....teaching yoga at Lifetime Fitness and Vitality Yoga in Wilmette.

Jonathan Miller is founder and artistic director of Chicago a cappella (CAC), a classical vocal ensemble that moves the heart and spirit with fun, innovative concerts.  His work with CAC has been praised nationally and internationally and called "world-class" by Fanfare magazine.  He is regularly acclaimed for his brilliant, eclectic concert programming that ranges from chant to funk.  Jonathan is known for his ability to motivate and bring the best out of singers, whether the first-class professionals of CAC or amateurs in volunteer choirs.  In addition to singing, conducting, and producing recordings, Jonathan is an active composer and arranger, whose style has found favor with audiences and singers alike.  Jonathan holds the Ph.D. in historical musicology from UNC-Chapel Hill, publishes the music of the late Max Janowski, serves the wider choral field as a grants panelist and clinician, and serves on the musical advisory board of the Chicago Children's Choir, where he began his career at the age of nine.

Gary Stamm is an accomplished performance coach and certified Presentation category judge for barbershop competitions.  Mr. Stamm has been master of ceremonies for numerous performances and is an experienced show writer, director and producer.  He has also been active in community theater in California and Wisconsin as an actor, director and administrator.  He currently lives in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, with his wife, Ruth.

Complete list of 2004 national participants