2009 Groups
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Bay Area
 | 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: Randy Jackson, Ron Gilgamesh, Ernie Stuckowitz |
 | TonicEffect
TonicEffect is a group of five talented musicians and truly gifted drinkers who transcend traditional a cappella roles to deliver an unexpected, exciting performance. Our modern, edgy music - including original mash-up arrangements, shared lead vocals, and rotating vocal percussion - brings a new energy to the Bay Area a cappella scene. Members: Brian Arao, Colm Davis, Jennifer Exley, Syreeta Mussante, Glenn Shope  |
 | House Blend
HouseBlend is an a cappella male quartet performing its own pop, jazz, seasonal, folk, country, gospel and other assorted musical genres. The members of the group met through the music ministry at Concord United Methodist Church. As they sang together, they realized something special was developing. In 1998, HouseBlend was born. Almost immediately, they were in demand to sing at various occasions in the area. Their repertoire expanded with each performance, their style emerged and their sleek presentation unfolded. Members: Jim McGuire, Bill DeGarmo, Kent Parr, Doug Emigh |
 | Musaic
Musaic's mission is to share beautiful men's a cappella singing with our Bay Area community. Our music is rooted in classical choral traditions, through a repertoire of many genres and languages. The members of Musaic are passionate about men's ensemble singing, and enjoy the artistic balance and musical fellowship it brings to our lives. Musaic was founded in 2000 as a few friends gathering to sing for our own pleasure. We took the name Musaic to represent a mosaic of song and voice. Since then we have performed over 100 concerts and produced five recordings. Members: Matthew Schermerhorn, Michael Kyle, Emilio Mercado, Andy Rice, Stefan Schermerhorn, Erick Larson   |
 | The Irrationals
Intimate, witty and intelligent songsters, the award-winning Irrationals, are an a cappella ensemble acclaimed for their rich, complex vocal style. The delicious blending of their voices has been described as "cafe mocha for the ears." Singing together for almost twelve years, this six-member, Berkeley-based group is praised for its harmonic excellence and diverse repertoire. The Irrationals often perform songs about the unpredictable. They are dazzled by the irrationality of love, awed by the intuitive nature of life and intrigued by things that don't make sense. The Irrationals' sound has an African American foundation that is used to explore pop, R&B, jazz, folk and rock. A core blend of three soulful women enhanced by bass, tenor and percussive vocal elements creates an exquisitely layered melodic mix. Whether it's Stevie Wonder with a rap twist, Annie Lennox, Talking Heads, the Neville Brothers or a romantic folk song, the Irrationals are playful, distinctive and sometimes irreverent. Members: Gwen McElwee, Renee Hayes, Sam Rogers, Tim Lukaszewski, Jeff Pettit |
 | After Five
What do soul, pop, rock, jazz, and hip hop have in common with yodeling? Yes, you guessed it my friends,ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Members: Kale "Kingpin" Coppin, Cory "J-shot" Coppin, Kevin "Kinky-pants" Valenzuela, Natalie Gosmeyer, Josh "The Jackalackin" Embury, Ron "Tha Raptor" Hart |
 | AkaBella
AkaBella is a world fusion vocal group dedicated to learning, sharing and performing traditional songs from around the world. Their original arrangements of ancient melodies borrow from Reggae, Hip Hop, R&B and Jazz. When combined with traditional rhythms and five-part harmony, the effect is pure inspiration. AkaBella moves people with their voices and audiences emerge dancing, clapping and singing along. Members: Melody Walker, Verena Reece, Lauren Smith, Nola Pierce, Lorenza Simmons |
 | High Seas
High Seas is an 8 member women's jazz group, performs a wide range of jazz at private clubs, parties and benefits around the Bay Area. We also sing on boats! Members: Nancy Svendsen, Kim Zimmerman, Christina Perozzi, Jamie Collette, Kay Fealock, Janet Mancine, Jackie Pettus |
 | His Juliet
Over 16 years ago, the Norwood (Alisa's maiden name) and Wilber families crossed paths. Growing up in the Church, they were all trained to sing. In 2000, the group cut a CD of Christian devotional songs. Two years later, they stepped it up and cut a second album of songs composed themselves. After that, due to their busy lives, the girls took a seven year break, going in all directions. Knowing a gift from God so great could not be given for nothing, they never stopped dreaming. It was just a matter of time. Summer 2008, the girls sang for a wedding of a very close friend, and by God's grace and perfect timing, His Juliet was officially established. We thank everyone so much for their support in this incredibly exciting journey! Members: Cara Wilbur, Alisa McVicker, Kelsia Wilbur |
 | Love Notes Quartet
LoveNotes competed in Harmony Sweepstakes a cappella competition in 2009 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco where they won 1st place and also received the award for Best Original Arrangement for Bohemian Rhapsody. They went on to compete at the Harmony Sweepstakes Nationals where they placed 2nd while also winning the Audience Favorite award. n the Fall of 2013 LoveNotes was crowned the 2014 International Quartet Champion 'Queens of Harmony' at the Sweet Adelines International Quartet Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii. They were also chosen as winners of the Celebrity Award by Neyla Pekarek of The Lumineers. LoveNotes has had the opportunity to perform all over the world and they have also released 5 CDs Members: Brittany Gilmore, Mia Dessenberger, Caitlin Smith, Stephanie Lawson |
Boston
 | Our Town
Comprised of four men with championship ranking in both the Barbershop Harmony Society and a cappella circles, OUR TOWN won both the prestigious Harmony Sweepstakes (the oldest a cappella competition in America) and Barbershop Harmony Society Northeastern Districts in 2009. Known for their "big sound" and pure style of harmony, the quartet recently appeared at the iconic New York City nightclub, Birdland. Intent on singing familiar songs for the enjoyment of varying audiences - college students to traditional song buffs - OUR TOWN boasts a repertoire reflective of musical tastes ranging from contemporary up-tunes to nostalgic ballads. Members: Jamie Carbone, Scott Brannon, Terry Clarke, Larry Tully |
 | None Of The Above
Celebrating 15 plus years of music-making and camaraderie, None of the Above (NOTA) is an a cappella octet performing an eclectic mix of early polyphony, cutting-edge modern harmony, familiar folk songs, uplifting spirituals, catchy pop tunes, and lush jazz standards. Based in Wellesley, MA, NOTA has performed all over New England at coffeehouses, libraries, churches and other aca-friendly performance spaces. We have won multiple cultural council grant awards in Natick and Wellesley, MA for our diverse programming - including our annual showcase concert, Spring Fev-ah. In 2009, NOTA took third place here at Boston Sweeps, our first and only appearance to date. Our wildly popular inaugural CD, "multiple choice", is now in its second printing, and is available at numerous online outlets. We are delighted to perform today for such a great aca-savvy audience! Members: Alisa Manning, Elena Krasnovsky, Deb Abberton, Elyssa Miller, Charlie Hodges, Tony Vuolo, Matt Ettore , Jeff Auerbach  |
 | Road Show
Road Show performs for Barbershop Chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), Sweet Adelines, Int. (SAI) Harmony Inc. (HI) as well as many non-barershop events and private occations. In addition to winning the Northeastern District Championship, Road Show won the N.E. Harmony Sweeps Acapella contest which is the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music. Members: Mike Gabriella, Bob O’Connell, Mike Maino , Jimmy Berger |
 | Alley Cats
Having met in 2000 as members of the international medalist, Coastline Show Chorus, this quartet bonded around the desire to bring their mischievous interpretations of old and new standards to a wider audience while exploring more contemporary styles that appeal to their eclectic tastes. The repertoire of these finicky felines spans jazz, bebop, and Motown with pop hits, and standards, all getting the unique Alley Cat treatment. From private performances to community events to the concert stage, their charming approach to a saucy mix of musical styles makes the Alley Cats a captivating harmonic treat, purrrfect for all venues. Members: Lori Nelso, Carroll Venable, Chris Gagnon, Pat Taft |
 | 5-Alone
The idea of 5-Alone was conceived in the fall of 1999. I approached four students about starting a jazz a cappella quintet with myself as the fifth member. Encouraged by the succss of our first performance, we continued singing throughout the spring and debuted officially as 5-Alone at the Iron Horse in June, 2000. Now 5-Alone is an accredited performing arts class at PVPA. We've come a long way from the days of rehearsing at lunch and after school. 5-Alone has gained a considerable amount of attention in a very short time. Awards and honors have been piling up from DownBeat Magazine, C.A.S.A., A-Capella.com, The National Harmony Sweepstakes, R.A.R.B., Primarily A Cappella, Berklee College of Music, and the I.A.J.E. 5-Alone has performed all over the world, including New York, California, and The Netherlands, and has turned the world of high school a cappella upside down. Members: O.J. Martori, Erin Richardson, Daniel Plimpton, Rose Whitcomb-Detmold, Tony Lechner, Harpo Jaeger |
 | KnightSong
We are in our twentieth year! KnightSong is a group of friends from diverse backgrounds who share a love of singing beautiful music. We have two regular concerts a year, have performed for many seasons of "Christmas Candlelight Nights" at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and perform at private functions and community events throughout the year. We have two CDs available for sale and are about to release our third, "Twentig," in honor of our first twenty years. Members: Pat Buonodono, Brad Ketch, Keith Duggan, Becky Strickland, Rebecca Ballard, David Pylate, Dave Ballard, Courtney Strickland |
 | Snowday
Snowday, a DC based vocal band of seasoned performers, has emerged in music education to a world of applause throughout the East Coast. New harmonies combined with upbeat dialogue engage students in learning about music while listening to the popular music they love. Through varied vocal techniques, four voices and four mics, Snowday creates the full sound of a band with just voices! In addition to public performances, Snowday performs as part of the Class Acts Art roster for schools and libraries throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. Members: Amanda, Becky, Marco, Hugh, Ward |
 | Tuckermans at 9
Tuckermans at 9 - "Well known pop, rock, blues, and light jazz... like Boston, Mark Cohn, James Taylor, Three Dog Night, The Beatles, Steam, Linda Ronstadt, The Kingston Trio, The Temptations, Eric Clapton, Badfinger, Orleans, Abba, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael... performed a cappella? As in, no instruments? Uh-huh. So... what do you really do?" Yeah, we get that a lot. But that's what we really do. Contemporary a cappella. And you're gonna love it Members: Mark, Bill, Ashley, Frances, Walt, Daryl, Kam |
Chicago
 | Stripped
Stripped is a vocal band that continues to stretch ideas about what a cappella music can be. Their concerts are highly focused on improvisation, audience participation, and making music that moves the spirit. The voices gathered here have blend and unity, but frequently remind the listener that individual expression can flourish within the context of a group sound, like a single flower enhances the garden with its own particular bouquet and color. Stripped has performed throughout Chicago, singing original vocal jazz music at the Green Mill, HotHouse, Fitzgerald's, Lyon's Den, Uncommon Ground, Beat Kitchen, and 4th Presbyterian Church. Stripped received awards at the Chicago Cultural Center Cx2 competition and the 2004 Harmony Sweepstakes Regional competition. Stripped opened for jazz and R&B legend Patti Austin in summer 2004. Keep your eyes open for performances coming your way, then open your ears and prepare to be Stripped! Members: Mariama Torruella, Amanda Crumley, Leslie Beukelman, Sean Archer, Tim Reid |
 | 3 Men and A Melody
Start with two music educators, add one preacher, stir in a financial planner, and you could have the basic ingredients for any barbershop quartet. But 3 Men & A Melody is not your basic quartet. Tenor, Rob Mathieu, 2nd generation barbershopper, is a Kansas City based children's musician/performer. Not only does he teach preschool music, he performs interactive musical kids shows under the alias, Rockin Rob, geared for children 2-10 years old. Eric Derks leads the foursome musically but admits that telling jokes is not his forte. Brian Bellof is a second generation barbershop bass with a natural ability for showmanship. Baritone, Brad Stephens is the out-of-control comic of the four who keeps 3 Men & A Melody's audiences laughing. 3 Men & A Melody love what they do and have a high respect for the barbershop style. Their talent, energy, and enthusiasm are truly exciting for everyone to watch. 3 Men & A Melody's love of performing continues to escalate every day in hopes that they will be known throughout the Barbershop Harmony Society and the United States for their fun-filled entertainment and singing excellence. Members: Chris Droegemeuller, Eric Derks, Brian Bellof, Brad Stephens |
 | Chi-Town Sound
Shelley Austin sings Tenor, which is the part above the melody - only audible to dogs and small children. Vanessa Tulley provides the melody as their Lead. Chris Dunham, as the Baritone, gets all of the leftover notes. Cathie Zimmerman lays down the Bass foundation for the quartet, honing her skills daily by “duetting” with her singing basset hound. Chi-Town Sound most recently ventured forth to Hawaii, leaving behind their love for all things frozen to compete with hundreds of other musicians in the balmy breezes of Honolulu…. such a sacrifice. They have since returned to their native land and are thrilled to partake in the 2009 Harmony Sweepstakes! Members: Shelley Austin, Vanessa Tulley, Cathie Zimmerman, Chris Dunham |
 | No Strings Attached
One dark, stormy night in 1994, in the seedy underworld of the Champaign-Urbana streets, 9 undergraduates met in hopes of creating a group of superheroes to bring back the light of day to the University of Illinois. They stood for truth, justice, and most importantly: Jazz. —-They were...No Strings Attached! Through their heroic musical dedication and general superhero sexiness, No Strings Attached has since captivated numerous audiences in need of their a cappella prowess across the country and beyond. Though they represent a variety of majors, the line-up of No Strings Attached shares a common bond—-a passion for music—-that they strive to reflect in any style they perform. Most of all, they stand out as a beacon in the silent darkness to make a cappella (especially jazz) accessible to (and enjoyable for) everyone. Members: Leslie Goldberg, Becka Ryan, Kimmy Schofield, Lauren Yang, Brendan Best, Philip Bergman, Case Carvell, John Paul Nichols |
 | Shircago
Shircago is Chicago's premier Jewish a cappella ensemble. They have performed everywhere from local synagogues to Philadelphia's Independence Square. Their high-energy performances and creative arrangements are accessible to audiences of all ages. Shircago has recorded an eponymous studio album and had one of its tracks featured on the recent Best Of Jewish A Cappella album. This is the group's third appearance in the Harmony Sweepstakes. They will be debuting two new arrangements tonight! Members: Danny Appelbaum, Jon Norton, Jan Slavin, Loren Shevitz, Amy Yassinger |
 | Up ‘Til 2
Established in 2005 and named after late-night rehearsals, Up 'til 2 rocks out with unique style. This hard-hitting group of vocalists is indeed a "band." Minimally equipped with their voices and microphones, they cover low to high, and dazzle audiences of all ages. With backgrounds in classical voice, a cappella, rock, musical theater and jazz, each Up 'til 2 member adds a unique element to the band. Their blend of live music and theater will have you laughing to the sounds of current and classic radio hits, Motown, jazz, and funk. Members: Donovan Germain, Barry Patrick, Eric Buegler, Casey Radmann, Jason Price, Ben Foster |
Los Angeles
 | Throat
Throat is a collective of singer-musicians that perform original music. Hard-rocking beats, cerebral songwriting and a full, in-your-face band sound...that just happens to all be produced without instruments. Throat is a vocal band that sings 100% original music. Influenced by great rock groups of the past 50 years, as well as the pioneers of the contemporary a cappella vocal band movement, THROAT is dedicated to performing fresh, rocking music for the masses. Members: Aaron Paul , Cian Coey, Karisma Skye, Richard Steighner, Mister Tim |
 | Elemental Harmony
Elemental Harmony - is a trio of women who delight in sharing their love of vocal music. Their eclectic a cappella repertoire includes selections from madrigals to modern, whimsical to world music, and everything in between. The trio shares their beautiful harmonies and original arrangements in a wide variety of venues, including music festivals, concert stages, private parties, and corporate events. The ladies of Elemental Harmony are very excited about sharing their music with you at Harmony Sweepstakes! Members: Kris Wildman, Silvia Sarkissian, Terry Lieberstein |
 | Evolution
Evolution is an all male Vocal Rock Band, based on the Westside in LA. Together, these gentlemen use lyrical, 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: Adam Croce, Ken White, Michael Maury, Jim Campbell, Rolland Lopez, Rono, Jamie Paisley |
 | Expedia
An energetic, talented foursome that entertains audiences by presenting a program of music in multiple styles including modern, barbershop, etc. Members: Graham Pence , Ken Potter, Chris Stewart, Brian Harmon |
 | King4
The King lives – in quadruplicate! Live from Las Vegas, four sweet harmony crooning Elvi keep the spirit of the King of Rock & Roll burning strong… burning like a hunka hunka burnin love. Singing the greatest hits of the King, as well as songs he would have sung had he lived long enough, the King4 shake their collective pelvises regularly on Las Vegas stages, for corporate clients and private events, and at arts festivals and in concert halls. Viva Las Vegas! Members: Bryce Robinson, Michael Rene, Paul Johnson, Tim Jones |
 | Red Harmony
Based in Los Angeles, California, Red Harmony tailors its selection of songs to the voices and personalities of its singers in order to present a fresh and original performance. Each member brings a very unique style, specialty, and energy to the table, creating a synergistic culture where ideas are shared and creativity is celebrated. From accompanying each other with rhythmic vocals to reveling in crunchy jazz chords, Red Harmony creates a personal experience with every note. Members: Cali Zimmerman, Laura McCorkle, Sydne Sullivan, Anthony Starble, Nate George, Christopher Thaxter |
 | These Guys A Cappella
These Guys has been Thrilling audiences since 2005. They have made network T.V. appearances, opened for platinum recording artists, and been awarded in numerous music competitions. This all male ensemble sings Jazz, Hip Hop, R and B, Barbershop, Doo Wop, Rock , and Boogaloo. This will be These Guys first appearance in Harmony Sweepstakes. Members: Josh Downtain, Rob Gonzalez , Jujuan Gailey, Anju Calilung, Jazzari Smith, Johan Acu, Mark Weidenhoffer, Kyle Housen |
 | Vocal Magic
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! Members: Glenn Phillip Wanke, Gabriella Rollins , Willem Van der Pol, Linda Cicino, Ariana Attie |
Mid-Atlantic
 | Lustre
Lustre is a lovely award winning quartet out of the Baltimore area. Lustre's musical adventures began in 2005, and what a journey it has been! Kate, Lori, Lori, and Jenny met through Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus, and have been ringing chords together ever since. They have wowed their audiences at performances and contests around the country, from shows in Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania to international competitions in Houston and Denver. You may even have seen them singing at a Baltimore Orioles game or two! Lustre is proud to be the 2013 Sweet Adeline's International 7th Place Quartet Finalist. Members: Laura Rivera, Lori Crouter, Lori Dreyer, Jenny Harris |
 | MAXX Factor
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 |
 | Cameron Station
A select male ensemble auditioned from the ranks of the world-renowned Alexandria Harmonizers, Cameron Station offers audiences a tight, seamless, vocal blend of rich harmonies in a multitude of musical genres, including jazz, blues, folk and Broadway. High-level vocal and visual performance skills are the hallmarks of this exciting a cappella ensemble. Members: Eric Wallen, Steve White, Ken Ives, Troy Hillier, Tony Colosimo, Craig Kujawa, Carl Kauffmann, Dan O'Brien |
 | DoubleShot!
Since 2006, the guys have blended traditional and contemporary all- vocal music with energy and humor to create six decades of hits live on stage at every show. Every sound - vocals, bass, effects, even the drums - is created using only the voice. They have performed all over their native Pittsburgh, and nationwide from Washington, D.C. to the San Francisco Bay, as well as features on local news, television, and radio. In the Harmony Sweepstakes, they were Mid-Atlantic Champions and Audience Favorite in 2007 and have received two awards for Best Arrangement. Members: Luke Clavey, Steve Donnelly, Dave Wilson, Nate Wildfire, Mike Yanchak |
 | Glorious
Glorious has been together since 1997. During this time we have become a group of tight knit, polished and professional performers. Our unique A Cappella style leaves very little room for imperfections in our sound. Drawing from our individual spiritual backgrounds, and combining tried and true spirituals with an upbeat tempo. We create a unique listening experience. Worship, Punctuality and Professionalism are the cornerstones to our organization. Members: Eugene Gleaton, Barry Fleming, John Elliott, Wilson Cleary, Michael Lemon |
 | Skyline
Skyline's repertoire offers no limitations on style or genre. With beat boxing, soaring vocals, layered harmonies and highly unusual arrangements, Skyline produces a unique sound that blurs the genre line, garnering them fans from alternative, mainstream and vocal music worlds alike. You'll like what comes out of our mouths. Members: Chris Wong, Marco Ovando, Eric Pilar, Derick Eng, Hugh Gee, Ward Ferguson |
 | Tonic & Gin
Tonic & Gin - In the spring of 2004, a group of musicians-at-heart gathered together in the hopes of creating a new, fresh mix of voices. What evolved from that first meeting was a collection of six singers ready to take on the DC a cappella scene. Rehearsals began, gigs presented themselves, and the group began to mesh. After endless discussions about what to call ourselves it finally hit us ‚ Tonic & Gin!Today, Tonic & Gin continues on as a vibrant co-ed group of seven members dedicated to sharing a wide variety of music with intriguing arrangements, amazing soloists, and a whole lot of fun! Members: Nate Pipke, Alison Torrillo French, Marissa Hodgkins, Amy Fromm, Bruce Shim, Jeeves Murphy, Jeff Hayes |
New York
 | Six13
Six-man vocal band Six13 brings an unprecedented style of Jewish music to the stage. With songs that range from hip-hop dance tracks to rock anthems, their albums have been the recipients of five Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards and selections to nine different "best of" compilations. This summer, they were chosen as finalists in the casting process for NBC's prime-time series The Sing-Off, and the group has also become an internet sensation, with over 500,000 views on YouTube. Members: Mike Boxer, Yan Frenkel, Moshe Cohn, Josh Mohrer, Justin Rosenblum, Alan Zeitlin  |
 | Cartoon Johnny
Cartoon Johnny is an energetic vocal band that pushes the limits of traditional a cappella. Drawing on influences from classic soul to modern alternative, they've crafted an exciting sound that is often mistaken for an instrumental band - but it's all vocal. Based in the Washington DC area, Cartoon Johnny performs a variety of sure-fire audience favorites and their own original music, bringing audiences to their feet show after show. They are two-time National Harmony Sweepstakes finalsists, winning the title for the Mid-Atlantic Region in 2005, and in New York in 2009. Cartoon Johnny has shared the stage with some of the best in a cappella and beyond. Highlights include headlining ACappellaFest Detroit in 2010, and performing with Marvin Hamlisch in his Christmas special at the Kennedy Center in 2008. Hamlisch invited the group to join him for his July 4th concerts in San Diego in 2009. Members: Kieran Daly, Kevin Dixon, Ben Feeney, Michael Henrickson, Malcolm Lee, Darcy Romano |
 | The Fault Line
AfterShock is a five person a cappella band based in Albany, NY, that takes traditional a cappella and smashes it against the wall. The remains are rebuilt into AfterShock's funky musical style for all the world to enjoy. These five musicians come from a variety of musical experiences, but are drawn together with an incredible passion to bring the funk and soul to the a cappella world. Members: Adam Decker, Dave Baumgartner, Matt Olmstead, Tommy Morris |
 | Classic Sounds
If you close your eyes and think back to Murray the K, the Brooklyn Paramount, the street lights on Belmont Avenue, the boulevards of Bensonhurst, straphanging from a leather strap on your way to see "Dem Bums", Frankie, Dion, WMCA Good Guys, cruising the streets in a '56 Chevy with the windows cranked down, singing to the tunes on your portable AM radio, and a host of other good times, you'll know why "The Classic Sounds" sing DooWop. That's why a surgeon, a plumber, 2 teachers, and a musician can lean in close to each other, sing those back-up sounds that are second nature to us all, give you a little hand jive and a smile, and make you remember what "feel good" acappella music is all about. Members: Gabriel Dassa, Alan Fennell, Julie Seda, Lou Valentino, Bob Seda |
 | Choice
Choice - THE CHOICE CONCEPT...Choice emerged out of the Greenville section of Jersey City, NJ as a hobby for five young men looking for a fun way to occupy their spare time. After attracting much local attention and interest, they began performing professionally. With their extensive rehearsal and research schedule, Choice has earned their reputation as one of the hardest working groups on the acappella circuit, and has performed at such venues as Nassau Coliseum, Continental Airlines Arena and Radio City Music Hall. Among Choice's most notable achievements is their 2007 appearance on ABC News' Speak Freely, recording with our good friend, Dennis Gruenling, and his band, Jump Time, and participation in two Japanese film documentaries on the history of acappella and rock & roll which have aired on the Fuji television Network in Japan, and a commercial for Diet Pepsi. Members: Dwayne Guzman, Leroy McCray, Anthony Peoples, Harold Shipman, Melvin Wright |
 | The Harmonics
HarMannics is Horace Mann School's a cappella group. The group consists of high school singers who beat box and sing music from classical to pop styles. Although the club existed at this independent school in Riverdale, NY a few years ago, it was revived and restarted under the leadership of 11th grader Katie Dubbs in fall of 2007 and currently includes both boys and girls in the 9th through 12th grades. HarMannics performs at school charity fundraisers as well as in venues in New York City and Westchester County for community service. HarMannics has performed at the DeWitt Nursing Home, Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home, and Blythedale Children's Hospital, among others. Performances at Horace Mann's sponsored events for charity include Ampléfest on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, Urban Aid on behalf of Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Holiday Dinner on behalf of the Sanctuary for Families. HarMannics is thrilled to have the opportunity to enter the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, and to compete at The Miller Theater. We thank Ms. Bahr, Ms. Lawrence, Mark Johnson and Colette for their support and encouragement! Members: Katie Dubbs, Sarah Sanders, Izzie Baum, Mira Armstrong, Mark Levine-Weinberg, Andrew Demas, Alec Kacew, Ethan Levine-Weinberg |
 | Invisible Men
Invisible Men (IM) is a vocal band based in Manhattan, dedicated to performing tasty and propulsive arrangements of the choicest pop, rock and R-'n-B morsels.Coming out of the underground contemporary a-cappella scene, IM uses its voices-- including vocal percussion, well-amplified bass and the occasional audio effect-- to create performances as exciting and energetic as an instrumental combo. While most pop groups in the college a-cap scene (in which the IM guys honed their chops) are large and have the luxury of being able to literally recreate popular recordings using complex arrangements, IM and small bands like it are looking to create the excitement of popular music with efficient but powerful arrangements, so that while you know you're listening to voices, the sound is so full and convincing that you simply don't care. Invisible Men played its very first show on Feb. 26, 2005 at the New York Harmony Sweepstakes at Symphony Space, and took the metro vocal harmony scene by storm that night, winning Audience Favorite honors. Members: Justin Blanding, Warren Bloom, Christian Lerch, Oliver Libby, Jason Menkes, Tyler Pennock, Angelo Rufino |
 | Kelso
Kelso: The anti-a-cappella group! Six performers have been brought together by a secret organization to take over the a cappella world. These are hand-picked masters of the vibrant music scene of New York City -- a jazz bassist, a techno beatboxer, a rock wailer, a musical theater lead, an R&B soul singer, a smooth cabaret soprano. When their powers of auditory finesse combine, they unite to bring awesome sound to the masses. The organization dubbed their creation Kelso, in honor of a thoroughbred racing horse whose statue graces the band's secret headquarters. Members: Michael Bunting, Laraisha Burnette, Janifer Cheng, Nicholas Fox, Dave Soson, Di Zhang |
 | Rub
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that...RUB! In the jazz corner, weighing in at 6 members, RUB packs a mean punch, & sounds like...well, imagine if Lalo Schifrin had a modern acappella group. As last year's 'Sweeps', RUB's 'Best Original Song' goes, "We're RUB...cuz we rub!" Members: Jonathan Hampton, Melissa Munn, John McMahon, Craig Eckhardt, LLoyd Nilsen |
Pacific Northwest
 | 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: Aaron Matthew, Chris Dobson, David Fertal, Jason Caffarella, Tyson Biggerstaff, Justin Diller |
 | Chanteuse
Chanteuse is made up of six wonderful women with a common love of a cappella music, gourmet meals, and early harvest varietals. Founded in 2000, the Olympia-based group sings an eclectic range of music from standards to popular (and sometimes not so popular) music. Best known around town for their singing Valentines, Chanteuse has performed for many local festivals and fairs, including ArtsWalk, the Christmas Forest, Oysterfest, and the Olympia Farmer's Market. Chanteuse is thrilled to be competing at the Harmony Sweepstakes for the first time and hopes to do Olympia proud! Members: Jan Smallwood, Margaret Eby, Teresa Fowlkes, Christine Salvador, Liz Frawley, Barbara Campbell |
 | Essence of Larynx
he Larynx is that thing in your throat that makes noise, enabling speech, singing, yodeling, and Wookiee sounds. The voice box. Essence of Larynx makes noises with theirs, a selection of larynxes (larynges?) renown for their function if not for their form. Essence of Larynx also employs tongue, lips, teeth, and sometimes that thingy that hangs down in the back of the throat to create unique musical constructions. Their larynges (larynxes?) don't mind the assistance, since some of the stuff that comes out is a little strange, and it's nice to have more visible parts of the vocal tract take the blame for the nonsense. Members: Tim Jones, Kai Robinson, Bryce Robinson, Judy Lambino, Jaason Guffey |
 | Strangers in Harmony
Strangers in Harmony is a vocal quintet from Portland, Oregon. Since 2009 The Strangers have been delighting audiences all over greater Portland with their memorable original music and classic crowd-pleasing covers. In 2010 Strangers in Harmony took top honors in the prestigious "Portland's Got Talent" contest. Five guys from different musical and geographical backgrounds come together to make music. That's Strangers in Harmony. Members: Eric Chung, Ramsay "RD" Cowlishaw, Jeremy Davidson, Shawn Dudley, Mike Mendyke |
 | V-Chords
V-Chords has roots as far back as 2001 when Jeremy, Chris and Mike sang together in Pendleton, Oregon with Second Chance Singers. After relocating to Portland several years later, they formed V-Chords by joining forces with Bryan, Dave and Josh. They have performed throughout the region and are looking forward to many wonderful venues in the coming year. In 2007, V-Chords was proud to represent the Pacific Northwest Region at the National Harmony Sweepstakes Competition in San Rafael, CA. Members: Jeremy Miller, Chris Moore, Bryan Podwys, Dave Edwards, Josh Killingsworth, Mike Telfer |
Rocky Mountain
 | MouthBeats
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 |
 | Crimson
Red lipstick, great handbags, high heels and a pitch pipe…ready for action is Crimson! Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado has been proud to have this a cappella ensemble in their vocal music department since 2001. The group has thrice represented the West Region at the International Championship of High School A Cappella Finals at the Lincoln Center in New York, scored as National Champion in 2005, and recently won the 2009 West Semifinals! They have also won accolades for outstanding soloists and choreography and appeared on the Best of High School A Cappella compilation in 2005 and 2008. Crimson was selected for an honor performance at the 2005 and 2009 CO Music Educators Conference, and has received numerous awards at music festivals across the country under the direction of Dawn Wisdom. Members: Tara Boyette, Renee Freyschlag, Maddie Garcia, Mackenzie Hahn, Katie Lee, Eve Jennings, Chelsea Ringer |
 | Home Free
A cappella. It's technically what we do. But we're not your bow-tie barbershop quartet. We're a vocal band. Which means we do more than sing - we perform - engaging audiences in a rich blend of harmonies while entertaining them. Home Free has performed for a diverse and extensive clientele, ranging from the Minnesota Vikings, to Fortune 500 companies, Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines, Allied Concert touring services, the Dutton Family from America's Got Talent and many, many more. It also devotes its time to educating and encouraging music in the public schools through innovative workshops and concert fundraising. To date, its programs have already raised tens of thousands of dollars for schools in Minnesota. Members: Rob Lundquist, Jon Mclemore, Elliott Robinson, Adam Rupp, Chris Rupp |
 | Pandora Celtica
This ensemble got its official start in 2004 with just three vocalists: Chaz, Traveler and Traci. After a few songs, they had this crazy idea that they could be a killer a cappella Celtic band. That summer, Traci left the band and Amanda jumped in to add her unique spirit and sound. In January of 2006, PC added four more voices, two of which were Rion and Jen. Over the years there have been many twists and turns, but one thing has remained constant for five years . . . If it sank, we’ll sing about it!! Members: Rion Bergquist, Amanda Efron, Jennifer Gardine, Traveler Hawk, Chaz Kemp |
 | Raging Harmonies
Our group is made up of juniors and seniors at Westminster High School in the Denver Colorado suburbs. This a cappella group, under the direction of Melissa Flail, is a very diverse collection of enthusiastic students from the Westy choral program. Raging Harmonies represents the High School and Adams County School District 50 at community and regional events, and they recently performed at the Colorado Convention Center for the Association of School Business Officials International Conference. The students enjoy creating and performing music that is important to them. Members: Charlie Chang, Sandy Chang, Jeremy Hurtado, Katarina Lobato, Taylor Medrano, Geoffrey Padilla, Katherine Wemhoner |
 | The UCD 7
We are the University of Colorado at Denver’s premiere seven-member a cappella ensemble. As the University’s first competitive performing group, these elite singers and performers have many singing engagements throughout the semester both on and off campus. The UD 7 has been a finalist in the Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweepstakes, and do their best to perform an eclectic and humorous variety of a cappella music. Members: Jeff Alvarez, Kirk Dugan, Erin Hackel, Kameshia Hazard, Janessa Ho, Lucas Reeves, Jamie Salgado, John Paul Sharp |
 | Wonder Voice
Four seasoned singers and one vocal drum-meister take on the great pop hits of yesterday and today. The members of Wonder Voice capture the energy and enthusiasm of an instrumental band using only their voices. Members: Jason Guffey, Tim Jones, Matt Murphy, Bryce Robinson, Kai Robinson |
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