22nd Annual


2006 Los Angeles Champions

Hi-Fidelity

Hi-Fidelity is the 2002 Buckeye Invitational Grand Champions, four-time So. Cal  Division Quartet Champions and reigning Far Western District Quartet Champions which includes California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, & Southern Utah.  All four members were also members of the Masters of Harmony Chorus, winner of the 2005 International Chorus championship as well! They distinguish themselves with painstaking craftsmanship, sophisticated song stylings, a strange sense of humor… and…. they sing good too!

Members: Craig Ewing  (tenor), Tom Moore  (lead), Gregg Bernhard (baritone), Martin Fredstrom  (bass)

2006 Results

1st
Hi-Fidelity
2nd
Vocal Ease
3rd
Forever Paisley
Audience Favorite
Hi-Fidelity
Best Original Arrangement
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" Arr. Alison Davis - Vocal Ease

Participating Groups

Forever Paisley: The name - whimsy: the sound perfection. Singing together since 2002 Forever Paisley have already earned the reputation as a classic quartet.


Members: Sarah Hamor, Caroline McLean, Kate Walker, Jan Wyckoff


Hi-Fidelity is the 2002 Buckeye Invitational Grand Champions, four-time So. Cal  Division Quartet Champions and reigning Far Western District Quartet Champions which includes California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, & Southern Utah.  All four members were also members of the Masters of Harmony Chorus, winner of the 2005 International Chorus championship as well! They distinguish themselves with painstaking craftsmanship, sophisticated song stylings, a strange sense of humor… and…. they sing good too!


Members:
Craig Ewing  (tenor), Tom Moore  (lead), Gregg Bernhard (baritone), Martin Fredstrom  (bass)


Scatitude is the newest jazz vocal group to hit the Los Angeles area.  In just two months the group has established a repertoire of five challenging arrangements.  Group members include a mix of seasoned professionals and gifted up and coming vocalists who are new to vocal jazz ensemble singing.  The group is currently seeking new members.  Interested singers can contact Beth Rohde at (310) 213-5299.

Members: Beth Rohde- soprano, Chantel ˆ soprano, Farah Kidwai ˆ alto, Marti Deters ˆ alto, Nicholas Hiegel ˆ tenor & Patrick Storey ˆ baritone.


Swing Shift is not your father’s barbershop quartet.   Let’s settle that right away.  Have a listen, and you’ll understand.  Rich harmonies, lush arrangements, and finger-popping rhythms make this group one of the most artful exemplars on the contemporary a cappella scene.  This stylish vocal jazz group specializes in jazz standards from the 30's on as well as popular songs from the 60’s, and 70’s.  You’ll also hear their unique sound on contemporary pieces and music from Hollywood and Broadway.  Aside from appearances at the usual venues: clubs, churches, malls, libraries, and private parties, Swing Shift also appeared as one of the featured a cappella groups on KLCS’s television series “Mosaic.”   Appearing in both the 2004 and 2005 Los Angeles regional Harmony Sweepstakes, Swing Shift won best arrangement honors in 2004 for its 6-part version of “Where is Love?” from the musical Oliver!  If you love rich sounds, complex harmonies, and creamy-smooth blend, you’ll love hearing this group.  And bring your ear muffs: these guys make a huge sound.  (Gosh, maybe they are a barbershop quartet…)


Members: Tyler Azelton, soprano 1(lead), Michaela Page, soprano 2, Linda Richter, alto, Solomon Katz, tenor 1, Andy Wolf, tenor 2, Phil Azelton, baritone, Richard Gilinsky, bass


Vocal Ease is the University of Arizona's premeire women's a cappella ensemble. This year, Vocal Ease is 7 members strong and performing a wide variety of music, including pop, gospel, R&B, jazz, and country. Vocal Ease has a reputation for being one of the hottest all-female a cappella groups around. The VE ladies released their first full-length album in December 2004, and followed that with the release of an EP in February of 2006. Vocal Ease just competed in the West region's ICCA quarterfinals at the University of Southern California, where they took third place honors. Vocal Ease is very honored and excited to be involved in Harmony Sweepstakes again .

Members: Aubrey Arrington, Tamara Bill, Jennifer Blodgett, Alison Davis,Lauren Freed, Julia Higgins, Kelly Montoya

Vybration - Made up of six excellent vocalists from every musical background (rock, pop, classical, opera, etc.), VYBRATION combines the strengths and diversity of all to form a brand new sound- brought together by earth-rumbling vocal bass and frighteningly real, drum-kit-sounding vocal percussion. Originally brought together by the vocal band "Groove 66" at Disney's California Adventure (where they enjoyed a two and a half year run as the most popular live entertainment attraction in the park), VYBRATION has expanded its repertoire and become more accessible to audiences everywhere without dropping one beat from the excitement and entertainment-value they showcased while working for "the Mouse".


Members: Heather McMasters (soprano); Laura Dickinson (mezzo); Tomasina Abate (alto); Terron Brooks (tenor); Michael Washington (bass); Bryan Chadima (vocal percussion)


Complete list of 2006 national participants


Judges (and special performing guest artists)

The Perfect Gentlemen provide the perfect blend of harmony and humor harkening back to the days of Vaudeville. Preserving America’s great vocal sounds from a time when music was music, The Gents recreate the close harmonies of such legendary groups as The Ink Spots and the Pied Pipers, while including the era’s great comic songs made famous by the likes of Louis Jordan and The Hoosier Hotshots. Their signature piece, Salute to the 20th Century, is a humorous take on the de-evolution of music over the last century, illustrated by singing the same song in the style of Barbershop, Dixieland, Blues, Big Band, Doo-Wop, Bluegrass, Disco, Techno Punk, and Rap, complete with visuals that delights audiences of all ages time and time again. The Perfect Gentlemen were honored to have won the 2002 National Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Competition, while additionally being chosen as the “Audience Favorite” and winning honors for “Best Arrangement” for their Salute to the 20th Century.

Members: Phil Gold - 1st Tenor, Dan Jordan - 2nd tenor, Tim Reeder - baritone, Jim Campbell - bass


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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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. Please send tapes and photos to the regional director :

The Harmony Sweepstakes National A Cappella Festival
PO Box D
San Anselmo, CA 94979
(415) 455-8602
harmony@singers.com


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