1996 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

12th 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.

1996 Mid-Atlantic Champions

Return To Zero

Based out of Orlando, FL, Return To Zero has been in existence not quite two years, but has already sung for thousands. This a cappella group performs full-time at a well-known theme park in the area. They've also been kept busy over the past year with outside gigs and convention dates. These four men sing songs from the 40's through the 90's adding their own dynamic arrangements to ageless songs. In April 95, they took a second place honors, and the best arrangement award at the regional a cappella contest held in Philadelphia. All four men have had extensive experience in a cappella singing throughout Orlando, and, in fact, met while singing.

1996 Results
1st	Return To Zero

1996 Participating Groups

Return To Zero
Based out of Orlando, FL, Return To Zero has been in existence not quite two years, but has already sung for thousands. This a cappella group performs full-time at a well-known theme park in the area. They've also been kept busy over the past year with outside gigs and convention dates. These four men sing songs from the 40's through the 90's adding their own dynamic arrangements to ageless songs. In April 95, they took a second place honors, and the best arrangement award at the regional a cappella contest held in Philadelphia. All four men have had extensive experience in a cappella singing throughout Orlando, and, in fact, met while singing.
Listen to: Steppin Out | Listen to: Carol Of The Bells

Members: Doug Teel

1996 Judges TBA

Complete list of 1996 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 :

Amanda Cornaglia (Mid-Atlantic) Amanda Cornaglia is the manager for Acaville Radio, a 24/7 streaming service for a cappella music. Amanda is also co-owner of Clear Harmonies, a full service studio and management company for a cappella groups. She got her start in contemporary a cappella with Special K, an all-female ensemble at Hamilton College. She has since performed and directed groups around the globe. She is business director and primary arranger of the multiple CARA nominated group Euphonism. She also founded Snowday, a professional quintet that incorporates contemporary vocal music into education, visiting close to 100 schools each year. She has served in various capacities at the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) & turned the Contemporary A Cappella League into its own non-profit organization. Amanda has been a CARA nominator and judge since 2010.

amanda (at) clearharmonies.com