Pacific Northwest Champions
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Recordings | Groups | Goals | Rules | How to enter | Contact Us | About Us | Publicity Photos Boston | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Pacific North West | San Francisco | Mid Atlantic (DC)| Now in its fourth decade, the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival has been the melting pot of top-notch a cappella talent from around the nation (and some from overseas!). The groups that have held the title of "Harmony Sweepstakes Champion" are diverse in their musical styles, backgrounds and rosters, and, more often than not, continue their legacies today with fruitful careers in the entertainment business. The following is a list of our esteemed champions. |
2024 | J209
J209 is a contemporary Christian a cappella group with a mission to uplift the younger generations of today. Based out of South Jordan Utah, this brand new group is set to hit the ground running with covers of popular Christian rock songs. With powerful arrangements and compelling harmonies, J209's 7 mixed member group is sure to set hearts on fire. Members: Jarom Hess, Ethan Holliday, Jimmy Mohlman, Neal Stucki, Abi Urton, Kim Hess, Hailey Murphy    |
2023 | Outpour
Outpour is composed of eight voices from all around the greater Seattle area. As live performances became available in 2022, Outpour aimed to emphasize self-expression, interconnectedness, and collaboration with audiences and other musicians in the PNW. Our set is a diverse collection of pop, r&b, jazz, and nostalgia, and each song is arranged by one of our very own creative members. Originally formed during the pandemic, the initial focus of the group was to bring awareness to resources in their local communities by pairing information with vintage and contemporary pop songs. Today, the group continues to look for ways to collaborate and connect with their community. Members: Jade Perry, Joette Dunnihoo , Rachel Border, Arthur Verdusco, Isaiah Ragland , Collin Donoghue , Jacob Cecil, Matthew Mayrhofer |
2022 | Verdant
Verdant is a 6-member semi-professional a cappella group located in Eugene, Oregon, which was first established in 2016 under the direction of Cameron Graham-Mask. Verdant brings together the unique musical stylings of each member to shape dynamic, compelling arrangements of songs from a variety of genres, including Top-40, indie rock, film soundtracks, and more. Members: Cameron Graham-Mask, Taylor Siebert, Chad Lowe, David Fowler, Richard Liebing, Katie Hammond |
2019 | The Bauds
The Bauds are an eight-voice a cappella group composed entirely of Microsoft employees and alumni. Driven by their love of both music and technology, they have a decorated history of competing in vocal competitions such as National Harmony Sweepstakes (placing 3rd in 2019) and Pacific Regional Northwest Harmony Sweepstakes (won 3 times, earned Audience Favorite 5 times & awarded Best Original Arrangement 3 times). They have also opened for vocal greats Take 6 and the Manhattan Transfer. Music can be found under the Baudboys on Amazon Music, iTunes, Spotify & CD Baby. Members:  |
2018 | 20/20
20/20 is a collection of current and former college friends who have formed a lifelong bond through sharing their love of music. With their skills from music school at hand, the group combined already has decades of performing experience including leading opera roles, national festival performances, and professional choral recording sessions. Since grauating from Central Washington University they have all taken different career paths but still find time to come together in order to pursue musical excellence and share their passion for performing as 20/20. Members: Emelia Blunt, Theo Olson, Matt Mayrhofer, Isaiah Ragland, Jacob Cecil |
2017 | Renegade Quartet
Renegade is a brand new quartet based in the Seattle area. Between us we have two and a half music degrees, two teaching certificates, three cats, two goldfish, a hedgehog, and over 100 years of musical experience. Singing in the barbershop style brought us wacky, driven, goofball girls together. Our members are: Rachel Murphy (tenor), Alena Hemingway (lead), Holly Davis (baritone), and Bethany Frerichs (bass). We hope that singing new and diverse music, getting great coaching in many styles, and performing at amazing events like this one will inspire our audiences, and keep us together. Members: Rachel Murphy, Alena Hemingway, Holly Davis, Bethany Frerichs |
2016 | Restless Vocal Band
Restless is living proof that good things do happen in the Craigslist ads.Professionals by day and a cappella nerds by night this vocal band has a blast entertaining. Fairs, schools, corporate events, surprise proposals, weddings, and even the random street corner, these friends just like to get out and sing! RVB is all about fun, but also strongly believes in giving back to the community. They can often be found partnering with, and performing for, groups such as Susan G. Komen Foundation, Old Dog Haven, Seattle Brain Cancer walk and many others. Members: Brian Kirkness, Jordyn Meeker, Sean Braxton, Sean Payne, Bill Schneider, Erik Eliason, Angelo Allard |
2015 | Straighter Road
Singing is one of the purest art forms. Nothing man made between the artist and the audience. Straighter Road was formed as a Gospel vocal group first, with a band back-up, and recently has ventured down the Acapella Road. The challenge of acapella sing is without edges and joined with the charge of spreading the Good News of the Gospel, keeps Straighter Road striving for excellence. Members: Diane Trandum, Lynn Knight, Jerry Leith, Chris Nelson, Aliya Kunz, Mary Kunz, Kevin Kunz |
2014 | SeaNote
SeaNote is an a cappella band that came together in mid-2013 from two different college a cappella groups at the University of Washington in Seattle (Furmata & Awaaz). The quintet strives to put a fresh and unique spin on new and old Top 40 hits through incorporating each members musical niche, whether it be classical, jazz, hip hop, rap, pop, alt-rock, or soul. SeaNote loves making great music, having an awesome time, and hopes to entertain a cappella enthusiasts everywhere! You can catch SeaNote year round performing at local gigs, UW functions and charity events all over the Greater Seattle Area. Members: Isaiah Lin, Shaheer Aftab, Michael Kibbe, Lucy Liu, Amanda Tran |
2013 | Rezonate
The premiere a cappella group from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, the gentlemen of Rezonate sing R&B, Gospel, Pop, Soul, Jazz, Funk, and even some Hard Rock, including deftly arranged covers and original songs. The group started singing together as Rezonate in December 2004, and have sung at many venues since. At the Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals in May of 2009, Rezonate won both Third Place and the coveted award for Best Original Arrangement. With thick, lush, true six and seven part harmonies and a difficulty level second to none, Rezonate can evoke the smooth sounds of the Four Freshman, the Funk flavor of Rare Earth, or the pop excitement of acts like Bruno Mars and Kelly Clarkson. Members: Jason Caffarella, Justin Diller, Chris Dobson, CJ Mickens, Jason Simms, Tyson Biggerstaff |
2012 | Six Appeal
Is Six Appeal a comedy group, a vocal ensemble, or a rock band? Audiences have been trying to answer that question for years. Swearing off instruments, Six Appeal uses a cappella singing to span decades of classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes. Featuring vocal dexterity and adventurous song selection, the group explores all genres with a far-reaching repertoire that will surprise and captivate audiences regardless of the setting. Members: Michael Brookens, Trey Jones, Nathan Hickey, Reuben Hushagen, Andrew Berkowitz, Jordan Roll |
2011 | The Baudboys
Back around 1990, a couple of the founding members of the coed Microtones decided that they wanted to form a men's a cappella group at Microsoft so that they could sing the charts from their college groups. The original quartet consisted John Rae-Grant, bass and musical director, Bill Pope, baritone, Bob Gunderson, 2nd tenor, and David Olsen, 1st tenor. True to their profession, the group's chosen name, The Baudboys, referred to the method by which modem speeds were rated. The group performed only a few times in its first years of existence, doing lunch time gigs on the Microsoft campus. As members left Microsoft over the years, they would also leave the Baudboys, prompting natural turnover in the membership. During the 1990's, the group expanded it's membership, aiming to have two full quartets within the group. Since that time, the group has remained at 7-9 members, but the expanded membership has allowed the group to sing more complex arrangements than the 4-part charts that the founders envisioned. Members: Elliot Lewis, Dave McEwen, Jon Schwartz, Mark Adolph, Paul Eng, Martin Puryear, Mike Thomsen, Owen Braun |
2010 | Realtime
Realtime has been together since March of 2003, when John Newell arrived in Canada and mutual friends helped bring the group together. Since then it's been a musical whirlwind of activity, with three recordings, hundreds of shows and a world championship and a whole lot of fun under their belt. In 2008, Doug Broersma became the official lead singer, when John retired. Realtime became the 2005 International Quartet Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society in Salt Lake City. So having reached the pinnacle of the barbershop contest world, they have sung in their last contest, and received their final score in the barbershop genre. Members: Doug Broersma, Mark Metzger, Tom Metzger, Tim Broersma |
2009 | Rezonate
The premiere a cappella group from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, the gentlemen of Rezonate sing R&B, Gospel, Pop, Soul, Jazz, Funk, and even some Hard Rock, including deftly arranged covers and original songs. The group started singing together as Rezonate in December 2004, and have sung at many venues since. At the Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals in May of 2009, Rezonate won both Third Place and the coveted award for Best Original Arrangement. With thick, lush, true six and seven part harmonies and a difficulty level second to none, Rezonate can evoke the smooth sounds of the Four Freshman, the Funk flavor of Rare Earth, or the pop excitement of acts like Bruno Mars and Kelly Clarkson. Members: Chris Dobson, David Fertal, Jason Caffarella, Tyson Biggerstaff, Justin Diller, Aaron Matthew |
| 2008 | The Baudboys
Back around 1990, a couple of the founding members of the coed Microtones decided that they wanted to form a men's a cappella group at Microsoft so that they could sing the charts from their college groups. The original quartet consisted John Rae-Grant, bass and musical director, Bill Pope, baritone, Bob Gunderson, 2nd tenor, and David Olsen, 1st tenor. True to their profession, the group's chosen name, The Baudboys, referred to the method by which modem speeds were rated. The group performed only a few times in its first years of existence, doing lunch time gigs on the Microsoft campus. As members left Microsoft over the years, they would also leave the Baudboys, prompting natural turnover in the membership. During the 1990's, the group expanded it's membership, aiming to have two full quartets within the group. Since that time, the group has remained at 7-9 members, but the expanded membership has allowed the group to sing more complex arrangements than the 4-part charts that the founders envisioned. Members: Ric Lewis, Graham Sheldon, Owen Braun, Elliot Lewis, Jon Schwartz, Mark Adolph, Dave McEwen, Paul Eng |
2007 | Realtime
Realtime has been together since March of 2003, when John Newell arrived in Canada and mutual friends helped bring the group together. Since then it's been a musical whirlwind of activity, with three recordings, hundreds of shows and a world championship and a whole lot of fun under their belt. In 2008, Doug Broersma became the official lead singer, when John retired. Realtime became the 2005 International Quartet Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society in Salt Lake City. So having reached the pinnacle of the barbershop contest world, they have sung in their last contest, and received their final score in the barbershop genre. Members: Mark Metzger, Tom Metzger, John Newell, Tim Broersma |
2006 | Tongue Tied
Tongue Tied A Cappella has been dazzling audiences since 2002. Their distinctive arrangements create a very unique sound in the a cappella world. From classic '80s rock to original heartfelt ballads, Tongue Tied A Cappella covers a broad spectrum of previously unattempted a cappella sounds. This group of five from Northern Utah has entertained thousands, sharing stages with The Standards, T Minus 5, Eclipse, and many others. They have performed all over the Western US, and competed in the Northwest Regional Harmony Sweepstakes in 2003. Their first album "Mix It Up" showcases their mix of incredible sound, luscious bass, and original harmony. Members: Jason Mark Tesch, Jake Tesch, James A. Case, Ryan J Brierley, Todd Becraft |
2005 | Groove For Thought
Infectious grooves, stunning arrangements, and electrifying solos are just some of the phrases used to describe Seattle based vocal group Groove For Thought. Since 1998, GFT has brought their unique brand of jazz and R&B infused tunes to festival, concert, school, and nightclub audiences throughout the United States and abroad. Members: Jeff Horenstein, Kelly Kunz, James Niles, Randy Taylor, Kevin Kunz, Peter Jones |
2004 | Heebee-jeebees
The Heebee-jeebees are an a cappella quartet formed in 1993, and in the past 13 years have sung thousands of performances, appeared on local, national and international radio, television and print. The group has a reputation for being hilarious, entertaining and extremely talented. The Heebee-jeebees have released 6 recordings, all to international recognition including 4 CARA nominations and 2 CARA Awards. They have won the Canadian Championships of Harmony twice, as well as Championships in the USA. They continue to impress and entertain audiences with their voices, and are considered the best of comedic a cappella entertainment. .... The Heebee-jeebees are: Cedric Blary, Chris Herard, Ken Lima-Coelho and Jonathan Love. .... NOTE: Some incorrect spellings of the Heebee-jeebees are: .. ..heebie geebies.. ..heebee jeebies.. ..heebie jeebies.. ..heebee jeebees (needs the - ).. .. These are put here so the search engines pick up our profile. Members: Jonathan Love, Ken Lima-Coelho, Chris Herard, Cedric Blary |
2003 | Second Chance
Second Chance was formed in June of 2001 in Pendleton, Oregon. The group originally consisted of four members, but later added a fifth, bringing in vocal percussion. The membership of the group changed continually in a persistent search for the right combination of voices to produce the best sound. The group went through some more personnel changes during the 2001-2002 school year before arriving at the group you will hear tonight. In addition to local performances, Second Chance has performed in San Francisco, Hawaii, and all over the northwestern United States. They attended the West Coast Summit, an A Cappella conference in San Francisco, and are scheduled to debut there this fall. Second Chance has become one of the northwest’s fastest growing a cappella groups. Members: Jeremy Miller, Chris Moore, Kevin Tesch, Mike Telfer, Micah Barton |
2002 | Standards
True that it is rare to find such a talent like this among five brothers. A brotherhood that is sure to inspire, motivate and entertain anyone. The Standards - Music for everyone. The human voice, that's how it all started for five brothers who shared a passion for music. Singing together at an early age, they began the makings of this one of a kind vocal group, forging a relationship beyond brotherhood and taking harmony to perfection. Today, they are known as The Standards.The Standards have taken vocal music to a new dimension by creating their own unique style of music with an infectious harmony that speaks to all generations and cultures of music lovers. Members: Morgan Williams, Nicholas Williams, Jordan Williams, Nathan Williams |
2001 | Eclipse 6
Eclipse is a vocal group of six creating explosive sound, driving rhythms, and lush harmonies using only one instrument: the human mouth. The six members of Eclipse originally met while performing in a public relations /ambassador-oriented group that was part of the department of Programs and Entertainment at Utah State University. They began by arranging their own vocal covers of popular songs and performing them on campus and in the Logan area. Increasing public interest and performance opportunities led to the recording of their first album, "Once," which was released in April 2001. Members: Kevin Jones, Shayne Taylor, Pat Rose, Paul Hansen, Dan Kartchner, Kirk Mecham |
2000 | Total Experience Gospel Choir
Total Experience Gospel Choir, (Pacific NW) under the direction of its founder and director, Patrinell Wright, bursts with love, joy and enthusiasm humanity! It is hailed as one of the Paciifc Northwests finest and most soulful ensembles. The group began in 1973 in SE Seattle, the heart of one of the nations most diverse neighborhoods. Today’s choir is of all ages. Members: Gena Brooks, Tanisha Brooks, Mary Brooks, Lulu Strange, Tessa Studebaker, Patrinell Wright, Leah Vladowski |
| 1999 | The Standards
True that it is rare to find such a talent like this among five brothers. A brotherhood that is sure to inspire, motivate and entertain anyone. The Standards - Music for everyone. The human voice, that's how it all started for five brothers who shared a passion for music. Singing together at an early age, they began the makings of this one of a kind vocal group, forging a relationship beyond brotherhood and taking harmony to perfection. Today, they are known as The Standards.The Standards have taken vocal music to a new dimension by creating their own unique style of music with an infectious harmony that speaks to all generations and cultures of music lovers. Members: Morgan Williams, Nicholas Williams, Nathan Williams, Quinn Williams, Jordon Williams |
1998 | Heebee-Jeebees
The Heebee-jeebees are an a cappella quartet formed in 1993, and in the past 13 years have sung thousands of performances, appeared on local, national and international radio, television and print. The group has a reputation for being hilarious, entertaining and extremely talented. The Heebee-jeebees have released 6 recordings, all to international recognition including 4 CARA nominations and 2 CARA Awards. They have won the Canadian Championships of Harmony twice, as well as Championships in the USA. They continue to impress and entertain audiences with their voices, and are considered the best of comedic a cappella entertainment. .... The Heebee-jeebees are: Cedric Blary, Chris Herard, Ken Lima-Coelho and Jonathan Love. .... NOTE: Some incorrect spellings of the Heebee-jeebees are: .. ..heebie geebies.. ..heebee jeebies.. ..heebie jeebies.. ..heebee jeebees (needs the - ).. .. These are put here so the search engines pick up our profile. Members: Jonathan Love, Ken Lima-Coelho, Cedric Blary, Chris Herard |
1997 | Kickshaw
Kickshaw has been performing in the Northwest for about five years now. They have been involved in hundreds of shows, where each audience is a part of a unique mouth-music experience. In early 1997, Kickshaw won first place in the Regional Harmony Sweepstakes competition. This is a title only awarded to nine groups throughout the nation each year. Following the 1997 competition, Kickshaw decided that they were ready to pursue music full time. In search of their own sound, Kickshaw began working with some effects to extend their already eclectic repertoire. This addition was an instant hit with their audiences as they were able to create the sounds of a full band, effects and all, with just their voices giving Kickshaw a sound all their own. Members: Danny Figgins, Andy Marshall, Blake Lewis, Dan Scheumacher, Jim Castaneda |
1996 | M-Pact
Hailed "one of the best pop-jazz vocal groups in the world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based ensemble has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature's "first instrument" - the human voice. Their sophisticated sound & accessible appeal have garnered vast accolades, from Vocal Group of the Year (the LA Music Awards), an Indie nomination (the Independent Grammy), & Artist of the Year (Seattle Music Awards), to Grand National Champs of the Harmony Sweepstakes competition. Members: Jonathan, Matthew Selby, Marco Cassone, Trist Curless |
1994 | The Coats
The Coats vocal band started on the street corners of Seattle, Washington's famous Pike Place Market. Singing for tourists, locals, fish vendors, and fellow buskers, their humble ambitions of earning a few clams to fight off the tuition bills quickly evolved into a full-time international performance career. They've since won national vocal competitions, sang for the President of the United States, and have been fortunate enough to share the stage with such talented fellow entertainers as Ronnie Milsap, Trisha Yearwood, Montgomery Gentry, The Beach Boys, Tanya Tucker, Billy Dean, Crystal Gayle, and Colin Ray, just to name a few, all while continuing their tradition of outreach performances and workshops supporting music in schools throughout the northwest. Members: Kerry Dahlen, Jamie Dieveney, Joe Mele, Doug Wisness |
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