26th 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.
2010 NATIONAL FINALS
Saturday, May 15th - 8PM
Marin Center, San Rafael, California
Tickets on sale Monday March 15th from Marin Center Box Office - 415-499-6800
Hosted by

2009 National Champions

MAXX Factor had a very busy and exciting 2009. In April, they won the Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes qualifying them for the National Harmony Sweepstakes competition in San Rafael CA in May. MAXX won the National Harmony Sweepstakes and then moved on to their next goal of placing in the top three quartets in Sweet Adelines International competition. After an incredible contest, MAXX became the 2010 Third Place Sweet Adelines International Quartet Medalists. The quartet then set their sights on a new challenge by auditioning for the NBC/Sony acappella competition The SING OFF. The quartet was chosen to complete in the competition and proudly represented barbershop by making it three out of the four rounds of the competition. What a great experience and a great way to open many new doors for our beloved craft!

Members: Molly Plummer, Leslie Wodday, Valerie Hadfield-Rasnake, Kim Hudson


2010 finalists coming soon

2009 National Finalists


LoveNotes - (the artists formerly known as UnderAge) are a group of four young ladies (ages 18-21) singing a cappella 4-part harmony, mostly in the barbershop style. They have been working, competing, and performing together for six years. They have had performing opportunities beyond their years. As UnderAge they became the 2005 International quartet champions for the Young Women in Harmony division of the Sweet Adelines organization. As champions, they have been guest performers all over the country from Oregon to Detroit to Rhode Island. They have shared the stage with the Kingston Trio, sung the National Anthem for numerous professional sporting teams, participated in America's Got Talent in both Los Angelas and Las Vegas, and were guest performers in Germany this last Spring for BING (Barbershop in Germany) festival. LoveNotes also performs for numerous local events throughout the year. As of 2008 they have matured into young ladies over 18 hence the name change to LoveNotes which expresses their love of music. They are exploring numerous a cappella styles which they very much enjoy. They are very commited to excellence in their craft and hope you enjoy them.

Members: Brittany Gilmore, Mia Dessenberger, Caitlin Smith, Stephanie Lawson


As the premiere a cappella group from Eugene, Oregon, the gentlemen of Rezonate sing R&B, Gospel, Pop, Soul, Jazz, Funk, and even some Hard Rock, both arranging covers and writing original songs. The six members met each other through the Oregon Children's Choir, and started singing together as Rezonate sometime around December 2004. Since then, they have appeared at many venues, including art and air festivals, many local high schools, and even a live mini-concert broadcast from a leading pancake house on the local guitar rock radio station. Would you like a live station I.D. with your order of French toast? Call Rezonate!

Members: Aaron Matthew, Chris Dobson, David Fertal, Jason Caffarella, Tyson Biggerstaff, Justin Diller


Chicago

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


Rocky Mountain

No words, just rhythms, sound effects, and vocal percussion. MouthBeats explores the sonic barriers between vocal and instrumental music. Fusing pop, rock, jazz, world, and military styles, MouthBeats is on a never ending hunt for new beats, new sounds, new grooves.

Members: Tim Jones, Matt Murphy, Chris Schenk, Richard Steighner


Los Angeles

Evolution is an all male Vocal Rock Band, based on the Westside in LA. Together, these gentlemen use lyrical 'mushtick', tight harmonies, and a powerful synergy that creates great music and an entertaining good time. EVOLUTION plans to "Heal the World Through Harmony" using original arrangements ranging from the 50's to today's pop hits, as well as creative, ground-breaking originals that help their audiences think outside the box. Ladies and gentlemen, "Let EVOLUTION sing"!

Members: Joshua Silverstein (Beat Boxer), Ken White (Bass), Michael Maury (Baritone/Tenor 2), Rolland Lopez (Baritone/Tenor 2), Rono (Tenor 1/Tenor 2), Jamie Paisley (Tenor 1)


Mid-Atlantic

MAXX Factor was formed in 2004. This current foursome has been singing together since August 2007. Lead Leslie Wodday became a Queen of Harmony in 2000 with Signature Sound Quartet. She joined MAXX in August of 2007. Founder Valerie Hadfield-Rasnake is a barbershop brat. She sang with Region 19 medalist Quartets Ritz Carleton and Vanity Fair. Co-founder Baritone Kim Hudson, also a barbershop brat, has sung with Region 19 medalist quartet Vanity Fair. Prior to joining MAXX in 2005, Tenor Molly Plummer sang with Region 19 multi-medalist quartet RhythmWorks. Molly and Valerie are members of the International medalist chorus Pride of Baltimore. Kim and Leslie, currently Chapter-at-Large, have competed internationally with the Pride of Baltimore chorus.

Members: Molly Plummer, Leslie Wodday, Valerie Hadfield-Rasnake, Kim Hudson


Drawing on influences from classic soul to modern alternative, Cartoon Johnny performs a variety of audience favorites and original music, bringing audiences to their feet show after show. Based in Washington, D.C., Cartoon Johnny was named the Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes champion in 2005, and has played up and down the East coast. In '07, the group was proud to join the National Symphony Orchestra and director Marvin Hamlisch for the Kennedy Center's Holiday Pops concerts, in true CJ style, of course. Harmony, rhythm, and soul, with just a touch of mischief and a whole lot of fun -- that's Cartoon Johnny

Members: Kieran Daly, Kevin Dixon, Ben Feeney, Michael Henrickson, Darcy Romano, Malcolm Lee


Boston

This highly accomplished foursome brings more than 100 years of musical experience to the stage. Combination of their voice style and talents, makes them one of the premier a capella groups in the Northeast. They were the first group to win both the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Northeastern Championship, and the Harmony Sweeps (Boston) Championship.

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Members: Mike Gabriella (tenor), Bob O’Connell (lead), Mike Maino (bass), Jimmy Berger (bari)


Judges (TBA)


Complete list of competing groups - 2010


The David Lichtman Award for Best Original Arrangement


Accommodation and venue info for out of town attendees


Previous Years Results:- 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001- 2000 - 1999 - 1998

Regional Champions: Boston | Chicago | Denver | Los Angeles | Mid-Atlantic | New York | Pacific NW | SF Bay Area

Our Hall Of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

Watch the Champs on our YouTube channel


2010 Schedule:

Boston - April 18 Mid-Atlantic - April 10
Chicago - March 27 New York - March 20
Denver - March 13 Pacific NW - March 13
Los Angeles - April 10 SF Bay Area - March 13

National Finals - Saturday May 15, 2010


National Finals Recordings


Interested in Competing?

We are always seeking groups who would like to compete 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


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