2008 Los Angeles Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

24th Annual

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.

Hosted by

Moira Smiley and VOCO

Moira Smiley & VOCO is a visionary blend of voices - redefining harmony singing with the power & physicality of folksong, the avant-garde fearlessness of Bela Bartok and the delicious, vaudevillian accompaniment of cello, banjo, accordion and body percussion. Moira Smiley leads an ensemble of extraordinary musicians who share a passion for spreading powerful, emotional music with lush four-part vocal harmony, cello, accordion and banjo. Original improvisation-built songs steeped in Appalachia and Eastern Europe.

Named #1 a cappella group in the U.S. in 2007, VOCO is the energy of street singing and the elegance of a string quartet. Recently featured in Dirty Linen and on more than 100 radio stations nationwide on NPR's "Harmonia", VOCO has released two critically acclaimed CDs in '08-'09: "Small Worlds" and "Circle, Square, Diamond & Flag". VOCO is sweet, hard-driving Americana mixed with crooked eastern European dance and dissonance. It's all rounded out with body-stompin' percussive movement and joyous, magnificent, hair-raising harmonies - music that mourns and dances at the same time.

2008 Los Angeles Champions

SoundStage

SoundStage constantly impresses audiences both at home and abroad with their tight, unexpected harmonies and passionate delivery. Founded in 2006, their 2008 win of the LA Regional Harmony sweepstakes has catapulted them to appear on ABC's "The View" as well as a touring headline performance for the 2009 International Contemporary A Cappella Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. Their consistent jazz sensibility (with an infusion of funk) has taken them from shopping malls, to professional sporting events, to international conferences, to high school auditoriums, to county fairs, and local churches, where they have been described as "the white, suburban step-child of Take 6 and Earth, Wind, and Fire."

2008 Results
1st	SoundStage
2nd	Renaissance
3rd	Down 4 The Count
Audience Favorite	Renaissance
Best Original Arrangement	"The Train Song" Arr. Matt Reynolds - Down 4 the Count

2008 Participating Groups

Collectively Kenny
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: Dalyn Sale-Whaley, Carolyn Leenerts, Jay Welch, Kenny Kurtz, Colleen Cowley, Colleen Cowley

Down 4 The Count
Down 4 The Count began in 2003, when six CSU Northridge students in the University's vocal jazz ensemble found they shared a common interest: wanting to sing ensemble vocal jazz without those pesky instrumentalists: in other words, A Cappella! Since that time, Down 4 The Count has won multiple awards (including three song-arrangement awards and 1st place at the 2009 San Diego A Cappella Competition) and they have performed at venues all over the greater Los Angeles and San Diego area, including the Jazz Bakery, The Coach House, The Coffee Gallery Backstage, San Diego IndieFest, and many more.

Members: Andreas Preponis, Colleen Keene, Francesca Delfin, Genevieve Artadi, Matt Reynolds, Matt Reynolds

Renaissance
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: Torre Brannon, Kwame Alexander, Anthony Snead, Charles (Sonny) Banks, Maurice Kitchen, Maurice Kitchen

SoundStage
SoundStage constantly impresses audiences both at home and abroad with their tight, unexpected harmonies and passionate delivery. Founded in 2006, their 2008 win of the LA Regional Harmony sweepstakes has catapulted them to appear on ABC's "The View" as well as a touring headline performance for the 2009 International Contemporary A Cappella Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. Their consistent jazz sensibility (with an infusion of funk) has taken them from shopping malls, to professional sporting events, to international conferences, to high school auditoriums, to county fairs, and local churches, where they have been described as "the white, suburban step-child of Take 6 and Earth, Wind, and Fire."

Members: Kim Reed, Bradley Hampton, Andy Cummins, Kyle Bowen, Johnny Davis Figueroa, Jammie Hann, Jammie Hann

Swingshift
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: Jessica Freedman, Katharine Hoye, Michael Kohl, Phil Azelton, Richard Gilinsky, Tyler Azelton, Tyler Azelton

Trojan Men
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.

Members: Evan Bregman, Jared Scheib, Eitan Nir, Mario Sawaya, Rob Ellis, Tien Nguyen, Todd Levin, Kevin Ikuta, Tien Nguyen

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: Gabriella Rollins, Willem Van der Pol, Linda Cicino, Ariana Attie, Glenn Phillip Wanke, Glenn Phillip Wanke

What Four!
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.

Members: Catherine Peters, Dee Cardello, Ellen Totleben, Susan Smith, Susan Smith

2008 Judges TBA

Complete list of 2008 participants

National Finals Recordings

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 :

Shawn Nielson (Los Angeles) Shawn is a lighting designer by trade, but a logistical mind in his off time. He serves as the VP of Operations for our sponsor, the Westminster Chorus, where he is a part of the tenor section. The Westminster Chorus was founded in 2002 and quickly climbed the ranks of the Barbershop Harmony Society; they became international champions in 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2024. In 2009 they were crowned Choir of the World at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. The Westminster Chorus holds a mission to preserve and advance the Barbershop art form, while providing and encouraging an inclusive community in Southern California and around the world to engage in lifelong singing, music, and artistic expression."

operations at westminsterchorus.org

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Hermosa Beach Theater

The Hermosa Beach Playhouse is a division of the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. Created for the greater South Bay area to expand the availability of programming by providing a more intimate setting. This beautifully appointed 474-seat venue enables us to present a new catalog of production of straight plays as well as musicals. Performances are presented at The Hermosa Beach Playhouse located on the southwest corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach. There is plenty of free parking.Directions -

HERMOSA BEACH THEATER

710 Pier Ave (At Pacific Coast Highway), Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

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