1997 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

13th 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.

1997 Mid-Atlantic Champions

Da Vinci’s Notebook

Da Vinci's Notebook, Washington, D.C.'s award-winning a cappella quartet, takes four part harmony and stands it on its ear. Described as "Bobby McFerrin and 'Weird Al' Yankovic colliding on stage," their tight vocal blend, infectious humor, and madcap antics have made them a favorite on stages and at festivals throughout the country. Since the group's founding in 1993, their eclectic blend of a cappella harmony - a fusion of doo-wop, jazz, bluegrass, calypso, opera, and rock - has evolved into a unique show that the Washington Post called "exuberance...crashing off the walls!"

The quartet has appeared at music clubs and fine arts series throughout the East Coast, including the Bitter End, the Birchmere, the Barns of Wolf Trap, and the Kennedy Center. Equally at home in front of large crowds, they have also performed at Birmingham's City Stages, the Taste of D.C., the Fairfax Fair, and dozens of other festivals. Internationally, they have toured France and the Caribbean. Winners of the 1997 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes Festival, Da Vinci's Notebook has been featured on NBC's Today Show, on Comedy Central, in the Washington Post and Washington City Paper, and are frequent guests on local radio stations.

1997 Results
1st	Da Vinci’s Notebook
2nd	Doo Wa Zoo
3rd	Tone Rangers
Audience Favorite	Tone Rangers

1997 Participating Groups

Annapolis Vocal Corps
Annapolis Vocal Corps, a mixed septet from Annapolis, Maryland, was named a Best Find by music critics at the Baltimore Sun. The group performs contemporary arrangements of songs from the 40s to the 80s; from classic jazz to classic rock. Recent AVC performance highlights include an appearance at the White House and a singing the national anthem at Camden Yards.

Company B
Company B hails from Maryland. They are a registered quartet with Sweet Adelines, International and are part of the international chamionship Elkridge Chorus. Company B has performed throughout the metro Washington area.

Da Vinci’s Notebook
Da Vinci's Notebook, Washington, D.C.'s award-winning a cappella quartet, takes four part harmony and stands it on its ear. Described as "Bobby McFerrin and 'Weird Al' Yankovic colliding on stage," their tight vocal blend, infectious humor, and madcap antics have made them a favorite on stages and at festivals throughout the country. Since the group's founding in 1993, their eclectic blend of a cappella harmony - a fusion of doo-wop, jazz, bluegrass, calypso, opera, and rock - has evolved into a unique show that the Washington Post called "exuberance...crashing off the walls!"

The quartet has appeared at music clubs and fine arts series throughout the East Coast, including the Bitter End, the Birchmere, the Barns of Wolf Trap, and the Kennedy Center. Equally at home in front of large crowds, they have also performed at Birmingham's City Stages, the Taste of D.C., the Fairfax Fair, and dozens of other festivals. Internationally, they have toured France and the Caribbean. Winners of the 1997 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes Festival, Da Vinci's Notebook has been featured on NBC's Today Show, on Comedy Central, in the Washington Post and Washington City Paper, and are frequent guests on local radio stations.
Listen to: Stray Cat Strut | Listen to: Mickey Mouse Club (Theme)

Members: Richard Hsu, Greg "Storm" DiCostanzo, Bernie Muller-Thym, Paul Sabourin

DC’s Finest
DC’s Finest consists entirely of current and former D.C. police officers. The group focuses on doo wop classics from the 50s and 60s, delivered with the authenticity of singers who grew up with the music. D.C.'s Finest has performed at the Kennedy Center, New York's Apollo Theater, and many other locations.

Doo Wa Zoo
Doo Wa Zoo, a six-person mixed group from New York City, combines choreography with dynamic original arrangements of pop, rock, R&B, and classic jazz, and performs original compositions as well. The group performs throughout the New York area, including singing the national anthem for the New Jersey Nets, and entertaining commuters in the Music Under New York program.

Synergy
Synergy began singing in 1992 and is based in Richmond, Virginia. The male vocal quintet performs songs from the 40s to the 90s and have just returned from a month of singing at Knott’s Berry Farm. They have entertained audiences throughout Virginia and have spent the past four summers performing at Paramount’s Kings’ Dominion.

Tone Rangers
This award-winning Washington D.C.-based vocal group is celebrating their 25th anniversary delighting audiences from coast to coast with its dynamic blend of tight harmonies, inventive arrangements and keen wit. In a few choreographed minutes, the Tone Rangers propel through 900 years of Western music--from Gregorian chant to classic rock to TV theme songs--in a fresh approach to contemporary a cappella music and comedy.

Nominated for seven Wammies by the Washington Area Music Association in the past four years, the Tone Rangers were voted the Best A Cappella Group four consecutive years (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) and even won Best A Cappella Recording in 2007! They were also national finalists in the 2002 Harmony Sweepstakes (the Superbowl of a cappella), and three-time winners of Mid-Atlantic "Audience Favorite" and "Best Arrangement" awards. To listen, go our MySpace page.

Venus dMinor
Venus d Minor, founded two years ago in Annandale, Virginia, performs pieces in a wide variety of musical styles, including pop, jazz, pop, standards, classical, and new wave. This female sextet’s repertoire includes songs originally performed by groups ranging from the Beatles to the Bobs, often writing new lyrics to familiar tunes.

1997 Judges TBA

Complete list of 1997 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 :

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