2009 Chicago Champions

3 Men and A Melody

Start with two music teachers, add one preacher, stir in a financial planner, and you could have the basic ingredients for any great quartet, but 3 Men & A Melody is not your basic quartet. 3M&M first formed in the stairwells of the women's dorm at Northwest Missouri State University. (Can you find better acoustics or a better audience?) These four guys have been around for 15 years competing mostly in the Barbershop Harmony Society. Since their first visit to the international stage in 2001, they have consistently placed in the top twenty, and once in the top ten. These guys are highly sought after clinicians for Young Men in Harmony and Harmony Explosions across the country, bringing their passion for a cappella harmony to young people and educators alike.  In-house Tenor, Chris Droegemeuller arranges much of 3 Men & A Melody’s music to give them the unique sound that best highlights their voices. Get your ears ready for a stage full of a harmonic variety of a cappella jazz, doo-wop and barbershop.

Chi-Town Sound - Shelley Austin sings Tenor, which is the part above the melody - only audible to dogs and small children. Vanessa Tulley provides the melody as their Lead. Chris Dunham, as the Baritone, gets all of the leftover notes. Cathie Zimmerman lays down the Bass foundation for the quartet, honing her skills daily by “duetting” with her singing basset hound. Chi-Town Sound most recently ventured forth to Hawaii, leaving behind their love for all things frozen to compete with hundreds of other musicians in the balmy breezes of Honolulu…. such a sacrifice. They have since returned to their native land and are thrilled to partake in the 2009 Harmony Sweepstakes! Members: Shelley Austin, Vanessa Tulley, Cathie Zimmerman, Chris Dunham

More For Your Money In today's economy, people tend to have less cash in their pockets. These guys are no exception. Short on cash, but not on talent! More For Your Money is Chicago's newest a cappella quartet! With a soaring first tenor, a soulful second tenor, a smooth, cool, baritone and a rockin' bass/rhythm section, combined with awesome arrangements, MoFoYoMoney makes you want to laugh, cry, clap, dance and sing along! Nowadays, every penny counts, right? Well, with a show like these guys put on, you know that you really are getting More For Your Money! How considerate! Members: Sean P. Gorecki, C. Alex Juarez, Mathew Belcher, Chris Faye

Stripped - is a vocal band that continues to stretch ideas about what a cappella music can be. Their concerts are highly focused on improvisation, audience participation, and making music that moves the spirit. The voices gathered here have blend and unity, but frequently remind the listener that individual expression can flourish within the context of a group sound, like a single flower enhances the garden with its own particular bouquet and color. Members: Mariama Torruella, Amanda Crumley, Leslie Beukelman, Sean Archer, Tim Reid

3 Men & A Melody - Start with two music teachers, add one preacher, stir in a financial planner, and you could have the basic ingredients for any great quartet, but 3 Men & A Melody is not your basic quartet. 3M&M first formed in the stairwells of the women's dorm at Northwest Missouri State University. (Can you find better acoustics or a better audience?) These four guys have been around for 15 years competing mostly in the Barbershop Harmony Society. Since their first visit to the international stage in 2001, they have consistently placed in the top twenty, and once in the top ten. These guys are highly sought after clinicians for Young Men in Harmony and Harmony Explosions across the country, bringing their passion for a cappella harmony to young people and educators alike.  In-house Tenor, Chris Droegemeuller arranges much of 3 Men & A Melody’s music to give them the unique sound that best highlights their voices. Get your ears ready for a stage full of a harmonic variety of a cappella jazz, doo-wop and barbershop.  Members: Chris Droegemeuller, Eric Derks, Brian Bellof, Brad Stephens.

Up 'Til 2 - Established in 2005 and named after late-night rehearsals, Up 'til 2 rocks out with unique style. This hard-hitting group of vocalists is indeed a "band." Minimally equipped with their voices and microphones, they cover low to high, and dazzle audiences of all ages. With backgrounds in classical voice, a cappella, rock, musical theater and jazz, each Up 'til 2 member adds a unique element to the band. Their blend of live music and theater will have you laughing to the sounds of current and classic radio hits, Motown, jazz, and funk. Members: Donovan Germain, Barry Patrick, Eric Buegler, Casey Radmann, Jason Price, Ben Foster

Timm Adams is enjoying his sixth year as Assistant Professor of Music at Rockford College where he teaches private voice, music theory and musical theater workshop, conducts three choirs (including the a cappella scholarship group, “The Vocal Collective”) and musical directs the Performing Arts Department’s mainstage musicals. Prior to his move to Rockford, Timm enjoyed an extensive career in theater, both as an actor and a musical director, performing throughout the Southeast and Midwest in such shows as Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius), Joseph and the…Dreamcoat (Joseph), and Return to the Forbidden Planet (Ariel, the rollerblading robot). Timm is also the proud artistic director of the Chicago Chamber Choir, which he has conducted since 2000. Their spring concert series, entitled Music of the Isles: Songs from Britain and Ireland, opens on March 30th. . Timm holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from Baylor University and is thrilled to be judging this exciting competition once again!

Becca Kaufman is a sought-after jingle writer/session singer. Her character voices can be heard on many games and toys, from manufacturers such as Konami, Hallmark and the smash CD-ROM series “You Don't Know Jack”. Live performances have ranged from her critically acclaimed cabaret show “The Show Biz Kids” to “School House Rock Live!” to sharing the stage with performers such as Lily Tomlin, Brooke Shields, Phoebe Snow and Ellen Burstyn. Becca is the founder and executive producer of Singer Spotlight Productions, offering vocalists of all experience levels monthly showcase opportunities and educational experiences. Becca was the Executive Producer of “Music for the Heart”, a collection of original children’s songs benefiting The Children’s Heart Foundation. The album made it to the final round of Grammy considerations for Best Children’s Album. She co-hosted the relationship radio show, "I Do, I Do" for five years on WCKG, 105.9FM. Becca has been in high demand as a vocalist for many society bands and now leads The Becca Kaufman Orchestra (beccakaufmanorchestra.com).

Warren Kaplan is an original member of the a cappella group 4 On The Floor, which accounts for some of his most cherished and most enjoyable performing experiences. As a classically trained singer, he also performs with symphonies around the country, performing such works as Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Handel’s Samson and the Verdi Requiem. He will appear as bass soloist in Haydn’s Mass in Time of War with the Sheboygan Symphony, (Sheboygan, WI), this coming May. He also is a voiceover actor, with numerous commercials to his credit, including spots for McDonald’s, Sears, Coors Lite, Life Cereal and Pizza Hut. Some of Warren’s non-singing passions are abstract painting, drawing caricatures, bicycle touring and the outdoors. He’s thrilled to be part of this year’s Harmony Sweepstakes.

Brian Michaels has been involved in the world of a cappella music for quite a while. His first experience with an a cappella group was May 3rd, 1993 when he first saw The Blenders, and needless to say he was hooked. In 1997 Brian was working at an oldies radio station in West Fargo, ND and was searching for info on The Blenders when he stumbled on 2 websites: CASA and Primarily A Cappella. Over the next few months, Brian started contacting as many groups as he could, and in October of 1997, he started The A Cappella Hour radio show. Brian started with 29 CD’s. At this same time, Brian became involved with CASA as an ambassador. Brian has had his weekly radio show on five stations since 1997, with the longest being seven years. The show has been highly rated on every station. Brian’s Christmas special, "Holiday Harmonies" has aired across the country. Brian has judged the Denver Harmony Sweepstakes three times, and has judged the CARA's for over eight years. Now with a collection of over 1500 a cappella CD’s, Brian is very excited to be here in Chicago as a judge for the Harmony Sweepstakes.

Gary Stamm’s performance career spans more than forty years and includes musical theater, barbershop harmony, emceeing, radio-theater, television commercials, narration and a host of other media. He is a certified presentation judge with the Barbershop Harmony Society. Stamm emceed the first Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes and has judged the competition three times. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife Ruth.

Complete List of Chicago Champions

Complete list of 2009 national participants

Previous Chicago results - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998

Regional winners win roundtrip airfare plus two nights accommodation in the San Francisco Bay Area to compete in the Harmony Sweepstakes National A Cappella Festival

A selection of compact discs from the Primarily A Cappella catalog

A $250 coupon from Discmakers

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