2004 Participating Groups
 | | Los Angeles
Alpha
Back in the early 90s, Alpha brought imagination, determination, and integrity to their artistry when the model for groups of their kind was a safe commercial blend. Their superiority in every aspect of vocal arranging and performing began to get them known in Puerto Rico and Latin America. Their performances in major sporting events, as background vocalist with award winning vocalist and bands, and several appearances on entertainment TV programs has earned them their place as one of the most enduring and best-loved vocal groups in Puerto Rico. Truly inspired by groups like Boyzz to Men, Glad, and Take 6, Alpha fashioned their own a cappella style: „a Latin Jazz Gospel vocal band where ALL the instruments are sung instead of played¾. Get ready to have the most fun you can legally have while listening a cappella. Que sabor!
Listen to:
Cree (Believe) | Listen to:
Happy Birthday
Members: Abel Martinez, Abi Hernandez, Edgar Rios, Ludwig Henderson, Sonlys Andino, Shalom Rodriguez, Johnny Davis Figueroa
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Chicago
Chapter 6
The group's boundless range and appeal has resulted in one of the most diverse touring schedules in the music industry. Whether at an opera house, symphony hall, campus, church, corporate or community event, or aboard a cruise ship, Chapter 6 is right at home. Opera houses are often repeat clients, while the Association for the Promotion of Collegiate Activities' audiences named Chapter 6 "Entertainer of the Year" (2005). Chapter 6 has performed theatrical pops programs with over ten major metropolitan symphony orchestras in association with The Symphonic Pops Consortium, yet returns to the intimate classroom where the group has conducted over a hundred master-classes for high school choirs. Finally, their Christmastime concert is a favorite among churches and arts venues offering holiday programming.
Listen to:
Themes And Variations On It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing | Listen to:
7th Wheel
Members: Nathan Pufall, Aarion D. Stonecipher, Luke Menard, Jarrett Johnson, John Musick, Mark Grizzard, Charles Bosworth
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 | | Bay Area
Clockwork
Clockwork is a vocal quartet who sing mostly close-harmony jazz but also our own twists on pop and rock tunes.
Clockwork, an award-winning San Francisco based vocal ensemble with a signature sound and style, performs a banquet of music from funk to gospel and R&B to standards. Rooted in the tradition of great vocal jazz groups such as the Hi-Lo's and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, the Clockwork "sound" draws inspiration from all styles. As the great Duke Ellington said, "If it sounds good, it is good."
Experienced in both accompanied and a cappella performing, the group has arrangements for duos, trios and an 18-piece big band. Members of Clockwork have performed live with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, The Hi-Lo's , Meredith Monk, Don Shelton, Gene Puerling, Barbara Lewis, Sufjan Stevens, John Zorn, Barbara Morrison, Kent Nagano with the Deutches Symphonie Orchester and the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, The PM Singers, Heatwave, GQ, Barbara Lynn, Richie Cole, M-Pact!, the House Jacks, Boyz Nite Out, InFusion, Vocal Flight, and on Ward Swingle's Instructional video "Swingle Singing."
Listen to:
In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida | Listen to:
I’ve Got Rhythm - Fascinatin’ Rhythm
Members: Eric Freeman, Angie Doctor, John Paddock, Jim Hale, Stephen Saxon
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Pacific Northwest
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.
Listen to:
Use The Force | Listen to:
Charlie On The M.T.A.
Members: Jonathan Love, Ken Lima-Coelho, Chris Herard, Cedric Blary
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 | | Rocky Mountain
Inpulse
Based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, InPulse is a rocking vocal band whose five members are all classically trained vocalists. They entertain all kinds of audiences with an energetic concert performance that includes famous vocal percussionist Paul Donnelly. The ensemble has won the National Harmony Sweepstakes Denver competition. InPulse also endeavors to advance the art of a cappella through original music, and the education of young singers. The group has worked with nearly 3,000 students in the past year with its educational outreach clinic to teach and promote the art of vocal music through hands-on experience.
Listen to:
Kiss From A Rose | Listen to:
Obsession
Members: Gabe Koxlien, Matt McDonald, Michael Espinoza, Paul Donnelly, Marcus Hanson
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Mid-Atlantic
Mosaic
Mosaic is a six-man a cappella group with an off-the wall style, intricate harmony, and a "get up out yo' seat" beat. They cover a wide range of popular music in new and exciting ways. Mosaic is a collaboration of minds and talents that form a truly unique show you don't want to miss.
Listen to:
Take 5 | Listen to:
Shining Star
Members: Josh, Sean, Corwyn, John, Troy, Andrew
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 | | Boston
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.
Listen to:
St. Louis Blues | Listen to:
Bye Bye Blues
Members: Mike Maino, Bob O’Connell, Mike Gabriella, Rick Spencer
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New York
Vox Bop
Vox Bop is a mixed a cappella quartet that performs a wide variety of musical styles, from the lyrical beauty of the Renaissance to the lush harmonies of the Jazz Era to eclectic arrangements of pop classics. Vox Bop won the best award for Best Original Song at the 2001 National Harmony Sweepstakes after winning many awards at the New York City Regionals in 2001. The group was interviewed and featured in a 12-minute piece on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" in December 1999. They also appeared as the house band on a Christmas taping of NBC-TV's "The Ainsley Harriott Show" and in a national television ad for Amazon.com. During the summer of 2000, Vox Bop was a featured performer at the Alandia Jazz Festival in Finland.
Listen to:
Commercial Medley | Listen to:
God Bless This Child
Members: Peter Fisher, David Deschamps, Maura May, Melissa Munn
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2004 Judges
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Steve Baker
Steve Baker has been the Executive Director of the Freight & Salvage since 1996. Since its founding in 1968, the Freight has been a leading presenter of a cappella music—perhaps, as some have described, "the home of Bay Area" a cappella.” Groups who have performed there include The House Jacks, Bobs, M-Pact, Kitka, Hookslide, Edlos, Da Vinci's Notebook and many others. Before joining the Freight family he worked in the nonprofit arts sector as an attorney and a program administrator and attorney. In addition, Steve plays guitar and performs regularly with his musical cohorts at clubs and private events throughout the Bay Area. |
Phil Debar
Phil hosts a vocal harmonies radio show, The Human Voice Show, Wednesday nights 8-10 pm on KRCB 104.9 FM, Santa Rosa/Napa/Marin, and online at www.krcb.org featuring vocal groups, with the accent on a cappella ensembles of many styles and eras.
He served as a Barbershop Harmony Society contest judge (Singing Category) from 1993-2013. He started in a cappella with the Stanford Mendicants (director, ’77-78), subbed in Chanticleer in '84, earned 3 Down Beat Magazine jazz "dee-bee" awards in the Foothill College Fanfairs ('86-8), and has sung in five NorCal champion barbershop quartets.
He’s hosted local a cappella radio shows on KRCB Santa Rosa ('95-present) and KKUP Cupertino ('85-2021); and was co-founder (with Deke Sharon and Buddy Saleman) and host of CASA's "A Cappella Radio International" from 1996-2002. He also hosted the week-long video-webcasts of the BHS International Contests from 2000-06).
Phil directed the Marin Chorus of the Golden Gate from 2007-18, and the Santa Rosa Redwood Chordsmen for many years. This is his sixth appearance on the Harmony Sweepstakes panel.
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Joe Jennings
Joe Jennings joined Chanticleer as a countertenor in 1983, and shortly thereafter assumed his current title of Music Director. Under his direction, Chanticleer has released 20 critically acclaimed recordings (works ranging from Gregorian chant to Renaissance masterworks to jazz), including the GRAMMYÆ Award-winning Colors of Love, and has performed at many of the world's most prestigious festivals and concert halls. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Mr. Jennings earned his Master's degree in Conducting from Colorado State University at Fort Collins, and his Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Piano from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
A prolific composer and arranger, Mr. Jennings has provided the group with some of its most popular repertoire, most notably spirituals, gospel music, and jazz standards. He has also composed for such ensembles as The San Francisco Girls Chorus, Phillip Brunelle's Plymouth Music Series, The GALA V Festival Chorus, The New York City Gay Men's Chorus, The Dale Warland Singers, The Phoenix Bach Choir, and the Los Angeles Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble. His compositions and arrangements are published by Oxford University Press, Hinshaw Music Company of Chapel Hill, North Carolina Hill and Yelton Rhodes Music, Los Angeles. Mr. Jennings' versatility has earned him many types of positions: lead singer/pianist with jazz ensembles; music director and pianist for churches, theater, children's theater and opera productions; guest conductor; professor; and director of clinical demonstrations and workshops. Most recently, he served as guest conductor for performances of the Estonia Philharmonic Chamber Choir. In addition to being Music Director of Chanticleer, Mr. Jennings also leads the Golden Gate Men's Chorus. |
Laura Moody
Known on air as "Laura in the Livingroom", Laura is a veteran of Bay Area radio. She has had a show for 20 years on UC Berkeley's KALX (90.7 FM) Radio, one of the nation's most influential college radio stations, where she did an extended stint as music director. Laura has a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science specializing in Music Librarianship. As an undergraduate, Laura studied voice and percussion at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Il. An avid music lover with a seasoned and critical ear, Laura enjoys all types of music from Ayler to Zappa. |
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Dave Worm
Oakland native, David Worm began his singing career in 1985 with the Bay Area groups Jazz Mouth and Vocal Front. In 1989 he became a founding member of Bobby McFerrinºs Voicestra ensemble and has remained a regular performer with Mcferrin, being featured on recordings videos and touring with the early Quartet Hard Choral, and McFerrrin's recent project Circlesongs. David is also one of the original founding members of the a cappella group SoVoSo, with whom he still performs. SoVoSo has released 5 albums and tours internationally. David has worked extensively with the Bay Area Dance community, having scored or co-written original works for ODC, Robert Moses Kin,( this work being a recipient of an Isadora Duncan Award), Tandy Beal, Project Bandaloop(an Isadora Duncan Award nominee), Axis Dance( another Isadora Duncan Award nominee) and Suzanne Gallo. Davidºs music has also been used in scoring the film documentaries ÑStepUpæ and ÑLove Francescaæ. David has over 40 record credits as a session singer, is in-house producer for sales America and has appeared in music videos for Kawasaki and Levi Strauss |
 
Complete list of 2004 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 :
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