39th Annual

Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, acapella singing competition, washington dc, virginia, baltimore

National Finals | Current Schedule | Our National Champions | Historical Events | Judges | Directors | Search

Recordings | Groups | Goals | Rules | How to enter | Contact Us | About Us | Publicity Photos

Boston | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Pacific North West | San Francisco | Mid Atlantic (DC)


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.

May 18th, 2024 - 7.30pm

THE BIRCHMERE

3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

Hosted by

Award-winning barbershop quartet

Secret Best Friends

Kevin Juliana, James Isley, James Pennington and Will Daniel Simmons are Secret Best Friends, an award-winning with their own approach to barbershop harmony. The group, based in and around Baltimore, combines their love of barbershop, jazz and other influences to perform exciting, playful arrangements of songs both familiar and obscure. Secret Best Friends debuted to audiences on YouTube in 2020, and they earned the Contemporary A Cappella Society's 2022 A Cappella Video Award for Best Barbershop Video for their rendition of "Obey Your Air Raid Warden." The quartet is a proud member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, representing the Society's Mid-Atlantic District. Secret Best Friends earned 12th place in the world at the 2023 BHS International Quartet Competition in Louisville, Ky.


2024 Participating Groups

Capital Blend
Capital Blend formed in the spring of 2008 when several coworkers learned they shared a common interest in singing. Now, consisting of women from a wide variety of professions, Capital Blend is mostly comprised of former college a cappella performers and other musically inclined individuals. Capital Blend performs in and around the DC Metro area at venues ranging from the Washington Nationals Stadium to retirement communities and corporate events. The group's repertoire includes popular music, oldies but goodies, international hits, and original compositions.Members: Zoe Bluffstone, Caity Gillooley , Alea Bell, Skylar Hamblen, Anya Kaszubowski, Sadie Aram, Julia Clunn, Liz Mueller, Cristina Watson, Brandi Rose, Mandy McHale
Chord of Appeals
A group of all ages and all genders, singing A Cappella renditions of traditional to modern songs. Auditions every late summer/early fall and occasionally as needed. Members: Mariah Lancaster, Dani Advani, Tori Roth, Anna Hagstrom, Amanda Mundell, Lexi Schorr, Zahra Jilani, Josh Abraham, Julian Ring, Patrick Bryant, Will Slack, Aaron Conrado
SolFire
SolFire is a barbershop quartet comprised of members of Harmony, Inc., International second place winners Bella Nova Chorus. Coming together in 2022 out of the foursome s longing to re-engage with our love of barbershop and singing after the isolation of the pandemic, Allyn, Erin, Rachael, and Emily spent time talking about their desires as a group, agreeing to be first and foremost musically entertaining, to sing a fun mix of genres, and possibly earn a medal in competition. They collectively bring many years of music experience and creativity to the stage, will always add their own particular spice to a song arrangement, and also love to delight audiences with some original songs and arrangements. SōlFire rehearses together as often as they can and has a future so bright, they ve gotta wear shades!Members: Allyn Lloyd, Erin Cassidy-Whong, Rachael Storey-Chase, Emily Faalasli
Up All Night Quartet
Up All Night Quartet is based in the DC area. While barbershop is the main style of music that they sing, they enjoy singing a wide variety of songs and genres. Up All Night enjoys having fun and spending time together outside of rehearsal with good food and good wine. They have represented Sweet Adelines Heart of the Blue Ridge Region 14 at International Competition in 2017, 2018, and 2019. They placed in the top 15 at the Sweet Adelines International competition in 2018. Most recently, Up All Night won Sweet Adelines Heart of the Blue Ridge Region 14's contest and will be representing the region at International in Louisville in 2023. Up All Night has also competed in the National Finals for the Harmony Sweepstakes placing 3rd in 2018 and 2022. They have been singing and competing together for six years. Members: Allison Lynskey, Sara Duffy, Heidi Wilson, Kristen Thomas
More Groups TBA

Your Emcee for the Evening

Amanda Cornaglia

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.

2024 Judges TBA

Complete list of 2024 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 :

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

Our Hall of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

Regional Champions: Boston | Chicago | Denver | Los Angeles | Mid-Atlantic | New York | Pacific NW | SF Bay Area

The Harmony Sweepstakes National Audience Favorites

Regional Audience Favorites: Boston | Chicago | Denver | Los Angeles | Mid-Atlantic | New York | Pacific NW | SF Bay Area

Best Original Arrangement Winners | National Winners | San Francisco | New York | Boston | Chicago | Los Angeles | Pacific North West | Mid-Atlantic

Other Year's Results - 2023 - 2022 - 2020 - 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010
2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1995

The Birchmere

Many careers have been launched from this internationally recognized music hall. On any given night, a star may be born. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dave Matthews, Vince Gill, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and k.d. Lang are just a few of the artists counted as good friends of the Birchmere. The Birchmere is committed to the presentation of the highest quality music in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere. Directions -Yelp reviews -Photos

Home | Boston | Chicago | Rocky Mountain | Los Angeles | New York | Pacific North West | San Francisco | Mid Atlantic (DC)

Hear about Local A Cappella Events and Auditions

Enter your email address and zip code to be informed about local a cappella performances.

Email Address: ZIP code (5 digit):

Find a Harmony Sweepstakes Group


Find a Harmony Sweepstakes Singer


Submit Your Group | Submit a Singer's Info

Primarily A Cappella - Your Source For Vocal Harmony Music

Browse

Browse By


Music Category
Arrangement
Gender
Instructional
Format
Christmas
Clear

Thanks to our Sponsor