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The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music, celebrates its 20th year in 2004. 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.
Since they first began in 2006, SoundStage has devoted their time to cultivating excitement and appreciation for the vocal arts throughout the greater Los Angeles area. SoundStage takes pride in establishing long-lasting relationships with schools and communities by delighting their audiences with swinging jazz standards, silky smooth ballads, funk, pop, latin, and country tunes. This award-winning sextet is extremely excited to share their love of good music with you. Enjoy!!!
2008 Results |
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1st
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Sound Stage |
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2nd
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Renaissance |
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3rd
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Down 4 The Count |
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Audience Favorite
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Renaissance |
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Best Original Arrangement
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"The Train Song" Arr. Matt Reynolds - Down 4 the Count |
2008 Participating Groups
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Collectively Kenny - is the name of the group (or so Colleen's 3-year-old figured when he started announcing the arrival of each member of the group as 'KENNY!!') Timing is everything and that's what finally brought CK together. The group is made up of some old, some new vocal collaborations to put a fresh new spin on this perfect a cappella alliance. You may have heard these songs before but you haven't heard 'em like this! Members: Colleen Cowley (Soprano); Dalyn Sale-Whaley (Soprano); Carolyn Leenerts (Alto); Jay Welch (Tenor, VP); Kenny Kurtz (Bass) |
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Down 4 the Count - What do you get when you cross Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, The Real Group, and a healthy dollop of higher education? You get Down 4 The Count, a swingin' 5-person vocal ensemble that performs almost exclusively tunes arranged by its members. Down 4 The Count has performed at the Jazz Bakery and Steamers, and are proud to be competing again in the Los Angeles Harmony Sweepstakes - they have placed second twice, so the third time's the charm! Their brand-new self-titled album is now available for purchase at CDBaby or their website. |
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Renaissance - is an all a cappella quintet, dedicated to showcasing and preserving the critical art form of street corner style; doo-wop singing. The group is equally adaptable to film, TV & stage as they are beneath the street lamp. Not just another singing group, Renaissance intertwines social and cultural awareness themes in their music offering "food for the spirit" as well as the soul. Whether it's a soul stirring tribute to the legendary Sam Cooke, love songs for the ladies, Black History themed conscious music or a rousing Gospel celebration, their superb vocal skills shine through. These Cats can flat out sing and their infectious energy is quite entertaining as they transport their audience to another space and time. Members: Maurice Kitchen (1st , 2nd tenor & Baritone) Torre Brannon (Bass & 2nd tenor), Kwame Alexander,2nd, 1st & Bass), Anthony Snead (Baritone) Charles (Sonny) Banks |
| SoundStage - Since they first began in 2006, SoundStage has devoted their time to cultivating excitement and appreciation for the vocal arts throughout the greater Los Angeles area. SoundStage takes pride in establishing long-lasting relationships with schools and communities by delighting their audiences with swinging jazz standards, silky smooth ballads, funk, pop, latin, and country tunes. This award-winning sextet is extremely excited to share their love of good music with you. Enjoy!!! Members: Members: Jammie Hann (Soprano); Kim Reed (Alto); Bradley Hampton (Tenor I); Andy Cummins (Tenor II); Kyle Bowen (VP/Baritone); Johnny Davis Figueroa (Bass) |
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Swingshift - This stylish vocal jazz group was formed in Santa Monica in 2002. Swing Shift draws on a variety of sources: from swing tunes to Broadway, from groove to folk, from Latin to contemporary. All of these styles inform the group’s sound and character. The group is lucky to count three accomplished arrangers among its members. Phil Azelton’s work is widely sung in jazz and school ensembles, and his ballads are much-admired for their lush harmonies. Founder Richard Gilinsky contributes many of the group’s current repertoire, ranging from up-tempo swing to reharmonized folk and show tunes. One of the newest members, Michael Kohl, has demonstrated his considerable talent as an up-and-coming vocal jazz arranger. Swing Shift will entertain you with swinging groove pieces embodying scat solos to show off the group’s versatility. They will lull you with rich, warm ballads. They will surprise you with unexpected turns of phrase and rich and surprising chord progressions. Swing Shift loves to sing, and hopes to share its vocal joy with all who care to listen. Members: Tyler Azelton (Soprano 1); Jessica Freedman (Soprano 2); Katharine Hoye (Alto); Michael Kohl (Tenor); Phil Azelton (Baritone); Richard Gilinsky (Bass) |
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Trojan Men - Formed in January 2005, The Trojan Men are the first and only all-male a cappella ensemble at the University of Southern California. The group has garnered awards and accolades, and in their short history, they have established themselves as a USC tradition. In December 2007, they became the first group in USC history to host a solo concert in USC's Bovard Auditorium. But, let's face it, their favorite thing to do is get caught by campus police trying to wake up sorority houses in the wee hours of the morning. Their debut studio album will soon be available at www.thetrojanmen.com. |
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Vocal Magic has been entertaining audiences since before the turn of the century. Their smooth vocal jazz style is inspired by groups such as Manhattan Transfer, the P.M. Singers, the Real Group, and Happy Jackson & the Quintessentials. The group is always scouring the globe for unique and interesting performance opportunities. Some of their favorites include music & arts festivals, park concerts, and Area 51 (CLASSIFIED). In a quest to promote the art of a cappella singing, Vocal Magic hosts "Javapella"- A monthly showcase of a cappella music in Orange County. Mix mirth with a cup of java, and add a sprinkle of magic- that's Vocal Magic!
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What Four! - One of the newest foursomes in the Verdugo Hills stable of talented quartets, What Four! has quickly established themselves as popular entertainers, having already appeared at numerous community events, country clubs, local businesses and private parties. The group is made up of four talented ladies who collectively have a wealth of experience in singing & a cappella music.
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Hi-Fidelity is the 2006 Harmony Sweepstakes Los Angeles AND National A Cappella Champions. It has been a great couple of years for Hi-Fidelity, as they were crowned the Barbershop Harmony quartet champions for the Far Western District in 2005. If the guys look familiar it is not surprising. You may know them for their recurring bit on NBC‚s Last Call with Carson Daly as the "Barbershop Monologue Joke Explainers". They have also been featured recently on a radio jingle for Living Spaces Furniture with Kobe Bryant. You may recall them as the Roto Rooter Plumbers during Rose Bowl publicity a few years ago. Hi-Fidelity was also in a commercial for X-Box as well! All four singers are also members of the Masters of Harmony Chorus, winner of the 2005 International Chorus championship! They distinguish themselves with painstaking craftsmanship, sophisticated song stylings, a strange sense of humor - and they sing good too!
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