Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
The Sweepstakes inspired the NBC reality show The Sing-Off
.
Hosted by 2010 National Champions, Plumbers of Rome.
Hosted by 2006 National Champions, Hi-Fidelity.
Hosted by Groove for Thought, 2005 National Champions
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
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
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
.
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
Convention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
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.
The Sweepstakes inspired the NBC reality show The Sing-Off
The Sing-Off
The Sing-Off is an American television singing competition featuring a cappella groups. It premiered on NBC on December 14, 2009, and is produced by Sony Pictures Television....
.
National Champions & Audience Favorites
| Year | Grand Champion | Audience Favorite |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Face (a cappella group) Face are a Boulder, Colorado-based "all-vocal rock band," or a cappella group performing mostly rock music. National appearances and awards include one of the eight original groups on NBC's premiere season of "The Sing-Off" , two-time Runner-Up and two-time National Audience Favorite at the... |
| 2006 | Hi-Fidelity | Hi-Fidelity |
| 2005 | Groove For Thought | Face Face (a cappella group) Face are a Boulder, Colorado-based "all-vocal rock band," or a cappella group performing mostly rock music. National appearances and awards include one of the eight original groups on NBC's premiere season of "The Sing-Off" , two-time Runner-Up and two-time National Audience Favorite at the... |
| 2004 | The Idea of North The Idea of North The Idea of North are an Australian a cappella vocal ensemble, founded in Canberra in 1993. The group's name is taken from radio broadcasts of pianist Glenn Gould.... |
The Idea of North The Idea of North The Idea of North are an Australian a cappella vocal ensemble, founded in Canberra in 1993. The group's name is taken from radio broadcasts of pianist Glenn Gould.... |
2011
Finalists:- 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:- 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:- Love Notes
- Rezonate
- 3 Men and a Melody
- Mouth Beats
- Evolution
- MAXX Factor
- Cartoon Johnny
- Road Show
2008
Finalists:- Where's Gesualdo
- Syncopation
- 5one
- Legacy
- Red No.5
- Vocaldente
- Rezonate
- 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:- 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