21st Annual

Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

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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.

2005 Rocky Mountain Champions

Face

Face is a nationally recognized all-vocal rock band from Boulder, Colorado, bringing a new edge and attitude to the human voice. Using just five voices and a vocal drummer, or "beat-boxer," Face creates a rock-music phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No other instruments or special effects - just six guys. Considered "among the top 10 singing groups in the country," (Norm Johnson, Las Vegas Leisure Guide) they regularly wow sold-out audiences throughout Colorado, including such classic venues as Boulder Theater and The Soiled Dove.

Face was recently named "Best Local Musician/Group" by Boulder Weekly's 2009 Best of Boulder Reader Survey. In addition, Face is a two-time winner of the National Audience Favorite Award at the Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals, as well as National Runner-Up in 2005 and 2007. Face was also runner-up for Favorite Pop/Rock Group in the 2007 Contemporary A Cappella Society's Community Awards. Face has been headlining in Las Vegas periodically since 2007 to rave reviews, paving the way for even more national attention.

2005 Results

1st
Face
2nd (tie)
Ignition
2nd (tie)
T Minus 5
Audience Favorite
Face
Best Original Arrangement
"Harder to Breathe" by Ryan Driver
Best Original Song
"Times Like These" by Nate Kellison


2005 Participating Groups

Curious Gage
Still new to the contemporary vocal scene, ‘Curious Gage’ from northern Colorado brings its unique blend of talents to the stage. Their entertaining mix of original and familiar songs is surpassed only by the intensity and energy of their performance. The band’s deeply complex harmonies combine with the best vocal percussion in Northern Colorado. Competing in 2004, Curious Gage won Best Arrangement award.Members: Nic Widhalm, Justin Curtis Adams, Ryan Smykil, Tom Miles

The Earl Family Singers
The Earl Family Singers began their musical story singing hyms and Christmas carols at nursing homes. They added Barbershop to their repertoire, auditioned at Silver Dollar City in Branson and have done more than 50 shows there since. They sang the U.S. and Canadian National Anthems at Kansas City Royals games and have appeared on television in Missouri. Last summer they competed in the semi-finals of the Gospel Music Association.Members: Josiah Earl, Jessica Earl, Joshua Earl, Judah Earl

Face
Face is a nationally recognized all-vocal rock band from Boulder, Colorado, bringing a new edge and attitude to the human voice. Using just five voices and a vocal drummer, or "beat-boxer," Face creates a rock-music phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No other instruments or special effects - just six guys. Considered "among the top 10 singing groups in the country," (Norm Johnson, Las Vegas Leisure Guide) they regularly wow sold-out audiences throughout Colorado, including such classic venues as Boulder Theater and The Soiled Dove.

Face was recently named "Best Local Musician/Group" by Boulder Weekly's 2009 Best of Boulder Reader Survey. In addition, Face is a two-time winner of the National Audience Favorite Award at the Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals, as well as National Runner-Up in 2005 and 2007. Face was also runner-up for Favorite Pop/Rock Group in the 2007 Contemporary A Cappella Society's Community Awards. Face has been headlining in Las Vegas periodically since 2007 to rave reviews, paving the way for even more national attention.
Listen to: Harder To Breathe | Listen to: Pink Panther Theme

Members: Mark Megibow, Cody Qualls, Ben Lunstad, Forest Kelly, Jayson Throckmorton, Stephen Ross

Harmonix
Harmonix was established in the fall of 2004. The group formed as a result of the need to have a mixed a cappella presence in the northern Metro area. The group performs a musical genre consisting of Rock, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Blues and Classical with five vocal parts and vocal percussion.Members: Heidi Bryant, Scott Dunn, Vicki Squires, Tyra Dixon, Rick Landrum, Arthur Ortega

Ignition
“Launched” in March of 2004, Ignition! First competed as the Rocky Mountain District’s International Prelinary Competition in April, taking second place after only a few weeks in existence. Ignition’s goal is not simply to entertain, but to ignite audiences with a show that will leave them completely blown away. Their show is a stellar mix of styles and songs over which audiences of all ages will go “ballistic.”Members: Curtis Terry, James Taylor, Roger Olson, Dennis Malone

No Better Cause
No Better Cause is an award winning pop/soul/funk vocal band hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska. Through a combination of jaw-dropping performances and innovative studio musicianship, their music has put them on a national platform since their humble beginnings in 2002. With a unique assortment of both original songs and uniquely arranged covers, No Better Cause is guaranteed to deliver a show that people of all ages can appreciate and enjoy, whether it be of a rock, pop, funk, soul, jazz or gospel influence... and it's all done using NOTHING but their voices!

Whether it's the rumbling resonance of the bass, the spectacularly soaring high tenors, or the bold beatboxing of the incredible vocal percussion, No Better Cause is sure to catch your eyes and ears, as each unique component of this seasoned a cappella sensation works together to make their harmonized sound a sonic movement. As the group continues to perform, they have made tremendous strides with each new member, demonstrating that the current lineup is one that can be mentioned with the a cappella elites.Members: Luke Kellison, Zack Bjornsen, Nate Kellison, Ryan Chappelle, Michael Evans, Eric Kiple

The Northern Colorado Voices
The vocal jazz heritage instilled in a consistently excellent educational experience in Greeley is broadly recognized across the country. Northern Colorado Voices is the premier vocal jazz ensemble at the University of Northern Colorado. This sextet, comprised of six singers, 3 women and 3 men, performs a wide variety of repertoire, from mainstream jazz to contemporary arrangements of pop songs.Members: Kim Dawson, Kelsi Shiba, Emily Thompson, Wilson Skomal, Pierre Houssney, Paul Pavlik

The Plumbers of Rome
While serving as court musicians/crepe chefs at the court of Charles VII in the 13th century (they were not allowed to serve as the Royal Plumbers, since plumbing was at that time considered to be a form of witchcraft) the Plumbers of Rome invented a device to hurl food and concert T-shirts into the starving peasant section of the King's Concert Hall. Adapted for military use, and named the Trebuchet, this modest invention lead the French army to many victories, as well as adding to the festive atmosphere of French wedding receptions and modern day Renaissance Festivals. While history has all but forgotten the inventors of the Trebuchet, the Plumbers are commemorated in the traditional French carol ballade de l'arme romaine aim'e de plombier.Members: Tim Y. Jones, Dan Testa, Chris Bogert

T Minus 5
As a nationally-acclaimed and award-winning a cappella group, T Minus 5 is known for delivering a high-energy musical performance that combines pop, classic rock, a bit of country, and even elements of comedy

The group has been together since 2000 and traveled throughout the country performing for Universities, Arts Councils, city events, and corporate conventions. Simulating all instrument sounds with just their voices, T Minus 5 is a high-energy a cappella group providing fun for the whole family.

T Minus 5 claimed first prize at the Denver Harmony Sweepstakes in 2001. Having only been a group for a year, they advanced to the national competition, and have been on a performing rampage ever since. Their energy and humor win them new fans wherever they go.

2005 Judges TBA



Complete list of 2005 participants




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 12 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

Please send music and photos to the regional director :


Our Hall of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

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

The Harmony Sweepstakes National Audience Favorites

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

Best Original Arrangement Winners | National Winners | San Francisco | New York | Boston | Chicago | Los Angeles | Pacific North West | Mid-Atlantic

Other Year's Results - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1995
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