2014 Participants
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Catatonic is a vibrant new group erupting onto the a cappella scene. With members hailing from from three different collegiate groups in the Atlanta area, this up-and-coming ensemble fuses youthful energy with musical virtuosity to create a unique electronic a cappella sound. The group's innovative arrangements showcase its members' vocal prowess while pushing the limits of the genre. Having already performed with the likes of Musae, Catatonic is sure to deliver audiences a thrilling concert experience as they share their love for a cappella. And kittens.
Members: Steve Ryan, John Robinson, Andrew Leonard, Tammy Parkinson, Tye Tavaras, Carrie Leonard
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Deviate - Only a little over a year old, Deviate's members have been together for a little longer. Each member, currently or previously, has a connection with UNCG's all female a cappella group The Sapphires. Forming in February of 2013, the girls have progressed as a professional group in the a cappella world - auditioning for X-Factor, working to produce their first album, and performing in gigs around North Carolina. Deviate brings a complicated and original ear to their top-40 (and some not-so-top-40) arrangements.These girls will stop at nothing to bring you awesome music, performances, and entertainment.
Members: Ashlie Acevedo, Jessie Burton, Shelbi Flanagan, Emily Greene, Kera Keene, Samantha MacReynolds, Alesa Moore
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Epic is a vibrant quartet filled with an impressive blend musical and life experiences. They formed when Christina and Kristina (yes, fun during rehearsals), two “barberbrats,” (being daughters of fathers who are notable barbershop harmony singers) connected with Shana, an opera singer, and Anne, a jazz singer (both of whom were new to the barbershop style but have proved to be naturals at the musical art form). They discovered a common love of ringing chords, fun rehearsals and fantastic shoes. The foursome hails from Virginia and Maryland and is proudly affiliated with the Harmony, Inc., a premier international organization of women barbershop harmony singers. Epic was crowned the 2012 Harmony Queens at Harmony, Inc.’s international competition and convention. Epic placed second at the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes a cappella competition and The A Cappella Sing-Off competition held in Williamsburg, VA.
Members: Kristina Adams (baritone), Anne Albright (lead), Shana Oshiro (bass), and Christina Lewellen (tenor)
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Mayhem - Mayhem's explosive harmonies & vibrant look have created quite a whirlwind among the Barbershop Harmony Society. Their song stylings & vibrant presentation have won over audiences at chapter shows. Barbershop harmony forms their roots but their approach is to turn this art form and present a different interpretation to the classics. For their modern song selections they like to include some zaniness. They have multiple awards that bring them pride. Most recently winning the 2014 Mid-Atlantic District Quartet Championship and competing at the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Convention.
Members: Neil "Pookie" Dingle, Mike Pinto, Dr. Matt Fellows, Ken White
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Pitches Be Crazy - PBC A cappella, the rookies in a cappella, started less than a year ago when founding member went from being nothing more than fans to now banging out “dope noise”. This 5 member band takes a cappella back to the old school where they learn without any written music and find organic harmony through creative arrangements by their arranger, L.M. Hill. Bold in their song choices and their presentation, PBC defies the norms and standards of traditional a cappella and makes music their way.
Members: Ron Veiders, Jeff Trenchard, Lou Shafer, Matthew Sciara, Jamie Holden
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Sixtus - One priest. One deacon. One seminarian. One Jonathan. They are Sixtus. They entertain, share their faith, and love people with their singing. We have been singing for 3 years. In September 2012, Sixtus released their first CD. It shows the diversity of music that they enjoy. All of them have studied music in some way or another but their careers will all be ultimately in the Church or in education. They are excited and humbled at the opportunity to sing at the Sweepstakes!
Members: Joseph Goldsmith, David Gaines, Levi Hartle, Jonathan Gibbons.
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West Side 5 is an award-winning vocal jazz ensemble based in New York City, is known for its refined sound and sophisticated approach to jazz. Inspired by greats like Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, and The Real Group, WS5 has crafted its own unique sound, characterized by highly original arrangements, complex harmonies, and outstanding musicianship.
Members: Corrine Byrne, Sara Wajnberg, John Shumway, Eric Hughes, David McIntosh.
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Your Emcee for the Evening
Sara Rasmussen
Sara Sara Rasmussen has been a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional production team for several years and a supporter of the Sweeps long before that. This year, she is stepping into the producer role. Sara enjoys many styles of music and was drawn to the Sweeps because it includes such a diversity of genres. Sara has been a member of Sweet Adelines for over a decade, has competed in numerous competitions both as a member of the Potomac Harmony Chorus and as a "baritone" in various quartets. In recent years she has been performing in the Washington, DC area with the Capitol Swing Quartet. In addition to helping out with production of various Sweet Adeline events, Sara has also been involved in the programing and production for several large DC area music festivals.
2014 Judges
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Padi Boyd is the musical director of The Chromatics. This much loved DC group is a six-voice high-energy vocal band that focuses on original music. She is a co-creator of the AstroCappella Project. Dubbed "an astronomy class, set to music" by Sky and Telescope magazine, AstroCappella is a collection of astronomically-correct educational songs and lesson plans in use in classrooms throughout the world. The Chromatics have presented AstroCappella at the National Air and Space Museum, the Hayden Planetarium, several NASA centers, and educator conferences from Palm Springs, to Orlando, Las Vegas and New York and their CD has even flown in space. In their two decades under Padi's direction, the Chromatics have produced an additional half dozen CDs and have been nominated regularly for CARA and WAMMIE awards. By day (and sometimes night) Padi is an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, working on the Hubble Space Telescope and other orbiting observatories..
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| Amanda Cornaglia got her start in contemporary a cappella with Special K, an all-female ensemble at Hamilton College. She has since performed and directed groups around the globe. She is business director and primary arranger of the multiple CARA nominated group Euphonism. She also founded Snowday, a professional quintet that incorporates contemporary vocal music into education, visiting close to 100 schools each year. She has served in various capacities at the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), and is currently Director of Programs. Amanda has been a CARA nominator and judge since 2010. She is a managing partner at Clear Harmonies production company in Gathersburg, MD. |
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Ted Donat - The Mid-Atlantic Sweeps welcomes Ted Donat as a judge this year. Ted produced the last ten years of the Mid-Atlantic regional, and we are happy to have him participating in this year's event. Ted has been singing, writing, arranging, directing and producing music for over 30 years. His a cappella experience began with the award-winning Amherst College Zumbyes in the mid '80's. After graduating from Amherst in 1986, Ted moved to New York City, where he sang with several groups including Uptown Sounds and Downtown Vocals, which he also directed. The highlight of this period was performing at Alice Tully Hall at the Advertising One Awards. Ted received his MBA from Columbia University in 1997, and in 1999 he joined the coed a cappella group dcVocals, assuming the musical director mantle from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, Ted left dcVocals to found a rock band (the kind with instruments) called The Slow Burn. |
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National Finals Recordings
Interested in Performing?
We are always seeking groups who would like to participate in our events.
Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between 3 and 8 members. We have a rule book which explains many of the details of the event, which you can see by clicking here. All groups must audition in order to compete. Generally this is done by sending a current tape and photo, although live auditions are sometimes arranged. The purpose of the audition is to make sure the group is appropriate for the Festival and to help the Director determine the performance order. If a group has competed previously, the audition process may be waived.
How to enter
Sara Rasmussen has been a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional production team for several years and a supporter of the Sweeps long before that. This year, she is stepping into the producer role. Sara appreciates many styles of cappella and was drawn to the Sweeps because it includes such a diversity of genres. On the singing front, Sara has been a member of Sweet Adelines for over a decade, has competed herself in numerous barbershop competitions both as a member of the Potomac Harmony Chorus and as a "baritone" in various quartets. In recent years she has been performing in the Washington, DC area with the Capitol Swing Quartet. On the production side, in addition to helping out with production of various Sweet Adeline events, Sara has also been involved in the programing and production for several large aDC area music festivals.
Sara Rasmussen midatlantic (at) harmony-sweepstakes.com
The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival
PO Box D
San Anselmo, CA 94979
(415) 455-8602
festival (at) harmony-sweepstakes
Prizes
- 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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Complete List of Mid-Atlantic Champions
Previous Mid-Atlantic Results - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998
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Many careers have been launched from this internationally recognized music hall. On any given night, a star may be born. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dave Matthews, Vince Gill, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and k.d. Lang are just a few of the artists counted as good friends of the Birchmere. The Birchmere is committed to the presentation of the highest quality music in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere.
The Birchmere Music Hall is located at 3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. There is plenty of free parking. Yahoo map - Google map
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