Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival
The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is an annual showcase and competition for a cappella groups of all vocal styles. The competition is organized into eight regional events across the United States, with each winning group advancing to the National Finals in San Rafael, California.
Festival history
The festival began in 1984 at a neighborhood pub in Marin County as a small and informal contest between friends. It is now a national competition, with eight regional events held in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Olympia (Pacific Northwest), San Francisco (Bay Area), and Washington, DC (Mid-Atlantic). The National Finals take place each May at the Marin Veteran's Auditorium in San Rafael.
The Harmony Sweepstakes has also established an annual A Cappella Summit, a two-day jamboree and convention for enthusiasts of contemporary a cappella. The Summit consists of workshops, performances, demonstrations, and seminars, along with vendors offering goods and services for the a cappella community.
National Champions & Audience Favorites[1]
| Year | Grand Champion | Audience Favorite |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Women of the World | Women of the World |
| 2013 | Honey Whiskey Trio | |
| 2012 | Six Appeal | |
| 2011 | Da Capo | Da Capo |
| 2010 | Plumbers of Rome | b vocal |
| 2009 | MAXX Factor | The Love Notes |
| 2008 | Vocaldente | Vocaldente |
| 2007 | Moira Smiley & VOCO | Face |
| 2006 | Hi-Fidelity | Hi-Fidelity |
| 2005 | Groove For Thought | Face |
| 2004 | The Idea of North | The Idea of North |
National finalists
2014
Finalists:[2]
- Catatonic, mid-Atlantic region
- SeaNote - Pacific Northwest
- 3AM - Chicago region
- Women of the World - Boston region
- Prime Time - Bay Area region
- #FourtyFourB - Los Angeles region
- Quintessential Five - New York City region
Hosted by 2013 National Champions, Honey Whiskey Trio
2011
Finalists:[3]
- Brass Farthing, Bay Area region
- The Brotherhood Singers, Chicago region
- Throat, Denver region
- Da Capo, Mid-Atlantic region
- Traces, New York City
- The Baudboys, Pacific Northwest
Hosted by 2010 National Champions, Plumbers of Rome.
2010
Finalists:[2]
- Boyz Night Out, San Francisco
- Plumbers of Rome, Boston
- Home Free, Chicago
- Confidential, Denver
- Soundstage, Los Angeles
- West Side Five, New York
- bVocal, New York.
2009
Finalists:[2]
- Love Notes
- Rezonate
- 3 Men and a Melody
- Mouth Beats
- Evolution
- MAXX Factor
- Cartoon Johnny
- Road Show
2008
Finalists:[2]
- Where's Gesualdo
- Syncopation
- 5one
- Legacy
- Red No.5
- Vocaldente
- The Baudboys[4]
- Sound Stage
2007
- Men in Black, Boston
- V-Chords, Pacific Northwest
- Moira Smiley & VOCO, Los Angeles (1st Place & Best Original Song, Stand in the River)
- Face, Denver (2nd Place, Audience Favorite & Best Original Arrangement, O Fortuna)
- The Fault Line, New York City
- Solstice, Bay Area (3rd Place)
- DoubleShot!, Mid-Atlantic
- Nightwatch, Chicago
Hosted by 2006 National Champions, Hi-Fidelity.
2006
Finalists:[5]
- Clockwork, Bay Area (3rd Place & Best Original Arrangement, Donna Lee)
- Curious Gage, Denver
- ElmoTHUMM, Chicago
- Hi-Fidelity, Los Angeles (1st Place & Audience Favorite)
- Regency, Mid-Atlantic (2nd Place)
- 'Round Midnight, New York
- Tongue Tied A Cappella, Pacific Northwest
- Traces, Boston (Best Original Song, Wonderful World)
Hosted by Groove for Thought, 2005 National Champions
References
- ↑ http://www.harmony-sweepstakes.com/champions.html
- 1 2 3 4 "Review of 2014 Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals". Harmony Sweepstakes. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ↑ "Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival - Annual competition for vocal groups". Retrieved 10 April 2011.
- ↑ http://www.harmony-sweepstakes.com/pacificnw/pacificnw2008.html
- ↑ "Coming Up This Weekend". San Francisco Chronicle. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
External links
Coordinates: 38°0′8″N 122°32′0″W / 38.00222°N 122.53333°W