2002 Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

18th 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

Voice Trek

Voice Trek has been thrilling listeners with their impeccable vocal skills since 1987. Their astonishing adaptability and inventive arrangements have defined this vocal quintet as one of the topmost in their genre. Based in Minnesota, the all-original members of Voice Trek are Shelley, Vicki, and Rae Plaster - three sisters who are known for their dazzling vocal mix; the group's tenor, Denis Allaire, specialist in vocal percussion and vocal instrumental sounds; and bringing up the bass is the dynamic Kevin Smith - the irreplaceable bottom line.

A multitalented and prolific group with numerous CD's in their catalog, Voice Trek has appeared in performance venues around the globe. Voice Trek's newly released CD "An A cappella Trek" is already receiving enthusiastic reviews from fans and critics alike.

2002 Chicago Champions

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.

2002 Results
1st	Chapter 6
2nd	Straight No Chaser
3rd	Hot Vox
Best Original Arrangement	"Mr. Pinstripe Suit" arr. by Chris Eloranta
Best Original Arrangement	Wizard Of Oz Medley” arr. by Mark Grizzard
Best Original Song	"Brand New Man"

2002 Participating Groups

Blue Jupiter
Blue Jupiter's all-vocal performance is nothing short of explosive! The world-touring a cappella quartet has been described as "The real deal," by rock legend, Gene Simmons; "Simply terrific" by Scott Conant of Food Network, "Incredible!" by Jane Pauly from NBC; "Nothing short of magic," by the Sands Casino Entertainment Department, and "Simply the best music act we've ever had at our schools," by the Connecticut Public Schools Board. Blue Jupiter's energetic blend of pop lead vocals, jazzy a cappella harmony and funky beatbox has garnered standing ovations in over 40 states and around the world.

Members: Chris Chatham, Toby Donnelly, Marty Gasper, Chris Thomas, Marty Gasper

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: Bohemian Rhapsody | Listen to: Wizard of Oz Medley

Members: Mark Grizzard, Aarion D. Stonecipher, Charles Bosworth, Luke Menard, Jarrett Johnson, John Musick

Dare To Breathe
Dare To Breathe has won acclaim and affection for its innovative and dynamic programs since its debut in May of 1996. Its vast and colorful repertoire spans the globe and eight centuries. Concerts by the group include folk music and popular songs from all over the world, contemporary vocal chamber music, close harmony standards from the ‘30s and ‘40s, Renaissance madrigals, and musical theater, all performed with energy, polish, and good humor. The members of Dare To Breathe all have classical training and experience performing in a wide range of styles and settings. Each brings his or her own unique gifts and musical passions to create the group’s sound and personality. Dare To Breathe has recorded three CDs, premiered many new works, and is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a $25,000 Fellowship for Performing Artists last year through the McKnight Foundation and the MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis.

Members: Linda Kachelmeier, Jordan Sramek, David Moore, Kathy Lee, Mark Dietric, David Moore

elmoTHUMM
Returning for their fifth and perhaps final time to the Sweeps quintet elmoTHUMM are looking to improve upon their 3rd place finish in 2001. With the release of their first CD in the fall of 2001 entitled elmoTHUMM "LIVE!" the group has plans for a very busy concert schedule in 2002 & are looking forward to seeing their fans out on the road.

Members: Adam Westmoreland, Jason Miller, Greg Vaden, Ed Pendleton, Paul Ellinger, Greg Vaden

Hot Vox
Hot Vox is a Chicago based acappella group of seven men who collectively have over a hundred years of studio and live performing experience. As individuals they have performed and recorded with such luminaries as Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Bob Hope, Lee Ann Womack, Bobby McFerrin and Rosemary Clooney, among others. Their acappella and choral credits include performing with and writing for Glad, Voices of Liberty (Epcot), Phil Mattson, Robert Shaw and VoiceTrek (National Harmony Sweeps Finalists 2001). As jingle singers in Chicago, Nashville, Orlando and New York, you have heard their voices on radio and TV commercials representing hundreds of products like McDonald's, Nintendo, Oldsmobile, Kellogg's and Minute Maid. As the group HotVox, their music reflects their love for the soulful sounds of R & B and extended jazz harmonies. A chance to hear them live is sure to be memorable!

Listen Up!
Harmony, humor and vocal pyrotechnics. Listen Up! delivers a truly unique approach to Jewish entertainment. Our performances create a special connection families and communities across the US. See our website (link below) for testimonials, videos of our rehearsal and performances, and information about our recordings.

No Limit
No Limit the hottest new vocal band out of the midwest, has been captivating audiences everywhere. With soaring, soulful lead voices; tight harmonies; killer percussion; energetic stage presence; exciting choreography; and contemporary, 98 Degrees/*NSYNC looks, NO LIMIT has great audience appeal. Already being featured on regional U.S. radio with its debut single, "All My Love," and having appeared at schools, colleges, fairs, festivals and other public, civic and private/corporate events, the group is currently being considered for its debut in Japan. With a repertoire covering pop hits and original songs, there really *is* NO LIMIT to how far this 5-man vocal band can go!

Straight No Chaser
The group originally came together in the fall of 1996 at IU, basically as "10 guys who happened to be good friends who also liked to sing." Choosing the members carefully for personality as well as vocal talent - Stine, Mechling, Jerome Collins, David Roberts and Walter Chase remain from the original lineup -- SNC set itself apart from other a cappella groups with its contemporary repertoire and dynamic approach, quickly headlining concerts both in Bloomington and on road dates. SNC recorded three independent albums, and John Mellencamp even invited the group to his home for a private performance.

When the founders began graduating in 1999 and went on to jobs mostly outside of music, they chose replacements and established SNC as an ongoing group on campus with future generations of ambitious IU undergrads. More than 50 members have passed through the group's ranks so far.

2002 Judges TBA

Complete list of 2002 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 :

David Wilner (Chicago) David Wilner competed in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes with Blind Man’s Bluff and Fiveplay, winning First Place, Audience Favorite, and Best Original Song with each group. During his six years in Blind Man’s Bluff, David toured nationally and recorded five albums. He also spent seven years with the classic rock quartet Ac•Rock, recording two albums. Today, David emcees events throughout the Chicagoland area and performs in the band The Four C Notes. He has been the regional producer of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes since 2017.

P.O. Box 4502, Naperville, IL 60567
847-226-3366
david@davidwilner.com

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