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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.

1996 National Finals Champions

M-Pact

Hailed "one of the best pop-jazz vocal groups in the world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based ensemble has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature's "first instrument" - the human voice. Their sophisticated sound & accessible appeal have garnered vast accolades, from Vocal Group of the Year (the LA Music Awards), an Indie nomination (the Independent Grammy), & Artist of the Year (Seattle Music Awards), to Grand National Champs of the Harmony Sweepstakes competition.

1996 Results

1st
M-Pact
2nd
Return To Zero
3rd
Kaleidoscope
Best Original Arrangement
“Carol of the Bells” Doug Teel
Best Original Arrangement
Change In My Life
Best Original Song
“Steppin’ Out” Doug Teel


1996 Participating Groups

New York

All So Jimmy
All So Jimmy is a rock band without the band, founded by former Tufts University a cappella heads. All So Jimmy finds a large following in both the Boston area and New York City. Its members bring to the group a wealth of musical experience including a combined 17 years of a cappella singing, arranging and directing. They have performed at New York City's The Bitter End, guest starred on WERS, Boston, and opened for the House Jacks. Their first full-length CD will be released in early summer.
Listen to: Brothersister | Listen to: Ladder


Rocky Mountain

Cool Shooz
Cool Shooz took runner-up at last year's Harmony Sweepstakes. Perennial Sweepstakes fans have seen this group fine-tune their style over the years. Always striving for high energy, tightly harmonic, and raucous Rock & Roll style, these five singers hope that this is their Sweepstakes year. They have performed often over the last year, including the huge Fort Collins 4th of July Celebration, the Greeley Arts Festival, the Glenwood Springs Strawberry Festival, and any number of Corporate functions, parties, weddings, and the occasional "concert under a tent in a raging thunderstorm" that makes a cappella so much fun. So sit back, hold on to your seats, and enjoy the Rock experience that is Cool Shooz.
Listen to: Papa Was A Rolling Stone | Listen to: Stinky Breath


Chicago

Fourth Avenue
Take a pinch of soul, add a bit Motown, mix it all together with a little doo-wop and you have the makings of the a cappella sounds of 4th Avenue. Formed in 1993, this quintet features bass Jim Brown, baritones Scott Dawson, Ryan Holway and Chris Steward, tenor and vocal percussionist Maurice Harris. Together their diverse musical backgrounds and influences create a unique blend of music unlike any other group. 4th Avenue has performed before the Cincinnati Reds, opened for the Beach Boys, and are featured performers at Paramount's Kings Island. This group combines their voices and unique personalities to create a show of humor and harmony sure to bring audiences to their feet.
Listen to: Midnight Hour | Listen to: Lullaby

Members: Scott Dawson, Ryan Holway, Chris Steward, Maurice Harris, Jim Brown

Boston

Harmonytryx
In the world of a cappella music, Harmonytryx (Har-mo-NEE-trix) is a breath of fresh air! Self-managed and independent, these women entertain audiences with an eclectic mix of pop, folk and world music that ranges from sexy and provocative to soulful and spiritual. Their unique combination of tightly-crafted vocal harmonies, powerful solos, funky vocal percussion and lively humor has captivated audiences throughout the NYC metropolitan area and beyond.
Listen to: Heaven | Listen to: O Sifuni Mungu

Members: Erica Cohn, Janet Crowley, Joia Ladd, Elena LaRoca, Jenifer Starr, Anne Walsh

Los Angeles

Kaleidoscope
Kaleioscope, a Sweet Adelines International quartet, was awarded first prize at the organization's 1990 Region 11 novice quartet contest. The quartet has done a wide variety of performances around southern California, including Disneyland and on the Queen Mary. Kaleidoscope was the featured quartet in a July 1991 Chaannelaire Chorus concert tour of Great Britain, performing to enthusiastic audiences in England, Scotland, and Wales. The quartet has performed for the Doo-Wop Society of Southern California, at The Hop in Lakewood, at the Ventura County Fair, and at the annual 1993 through 1996 KVEN "Dave and Bob Talent Shows" raising funds for special Olympics.
Listen to: Liar Medley | Listen to: Someone To Watch Over Me

Members: Linda Ragsdale, Bron Latta, Peggy Hels, Theresa Carey

Pacific Northwest

M-Pact
Hailed "one of the best pop-jazz vocal groups in the world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based ensemble has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature's "first instrument" - the human voice. Their sophisticated sound & accessible appeal have garnered vast accolades, from Vocal Group of the Year (the LA Music Awards), an Indie nomination (the Independent Grammy), & Artist of the Year (Seattle Music Awards), to Grand National Champs of the Harmony Sweepstakes competition.
Listen to: Change in My Life | Listen to: Got A Friend

Members: Jonathan, Matthew Selby, Marco Cassone, Trist Curless

Bay Area

New Originals
Former members of Quintessence, Table For Five, In The Buff, The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and one aspiration have Banded together to form one unique sound. Their balance of humor, energy, and heart can be habit forming.
Listen to: Free | Listen to: Plastic Jesus


Mid-Atlantic

Return To Zero
Based out of Orlando, FL, Return To Zero has been in existence not quite two years, but has already sung for thousands. This a cappella group performs full-time at a well-known theme park in the area. They've also been kept busy over the past year with outside gigs and convention dates. These four men sing songs from the 40's through the 90's adding their own dynamic arrangements to ageless songs. In April 95, they took a second place honors, and the best arrangement award at the regional a cappella contest held in Philadelphia. All four men have had extensive experience in a cappella singing throughout Orlando, and, in fact, met while singing.
Listen to: Steppin Out | Listen to: Carol Of The Bells

Members: Doug Teel

1996 Judges TBA



Complete list of 1996 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 :


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

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1996 NATIONAL FINALS

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