18th Annual

2002 Chicago Champions

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 the 2001 Grand Champions of The International Collegiate Competition of A-cappella music, as well as Chicago's youngest-ever, Harmony Sweeps Champions, are finally out of college and making their professional debut!  Memorable performances include ABC's Good Morning America,  Rockapella 's Big Millikin Event,  and The University of Michigan's Acappalooza 2001.   On the heels of releasing their second CD, Chapter 6 Live!,  these six, young men, and their award-winning arranger, Mark Grizzard, have teamed up to share their passion for music, their witty humor, and their message of Hope and Love with their many fans. 

With original renditions running from jazz to classical, and from gospel to pop-rock, Chapter 6 has been blessed with the opportunity to demonstrate its versatility for a wide range of audiences, including business parties, corporate conventions, college festivals, churches, weddings, opera houses, and regional, high-school tours. Upon the recent graduation of several members from Millikin University, Chapter 6 aims to add musical instruction to its goals, educating students on vocal styles and techniques and inspiring youth to activate their dreams.  United, these young men believe in having fun and in entertaining their audiences, while at the same time, maintaining a high standard of musical precision and personal excellence.  Together, they hold each other accountable for their belief in Christ, their trust in one another, and their passion for music.

2002 Results

1st
Chapter 6
2nd
Straight No Chaser
3rd
HotVox
Audience Favorite
Chapter 6
Best Original Arrangement
(tie): Wizard Of Oz Medley (Chapter 6 - arr. by Mark Grizzard) "Mr. Pinstripe Suit" (Blue Jupiter - arr. by Chris Eloranta)
Best Original Song
No Limit "Brand New Man"

2002 Contestants in Alphabetical Order

Blue Jupiter is a new vocal band comprised of 5 guys from across the country who found a common bond through vocal music. Based in Minneapolis, the group is very excited to have Tim Kasper, of The Blenders, as their manager. With Kasper's creative guidance and Blue Jupiter's unique background, there is no limit to what these guys can do. Blue Jupiter was founded less than a year ago with a simple goal in mind. Entertain the people. In this short time, Blue Jupiter has performed for such clients as Kirby Puckett, Neil Sadaka, MPI, BNC Bank, Martin-Bastien, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, to name a few. They have also performed the National Anthem live on national television, made an appearance at the Midwest Fairs and Festivals Showcase, and will appear in the Wisconsin College Showcase in April. For more information about Blue Jupiter and their debut album, due out in April, visit www.blue-jupiter.net or call Kasper Creative at 952-546-7134.

Chapter 6 the 2001 Grand Champions of The International Collegiate Competition of A-cappella music, as well as Chicago's youngest-ever, Harmony Sweeps Champions, are finally out of college and making their professional debut!  Memorable performances include ABC's Good Morning America,  Rockapella 's Big Millikin Event,  and The University of Michigan's Acappalooza 2001.   On the heels of releasing their second CD, Chapter 6 Live!,  these six, young men, and their award-winning arranger, Mark Grizzard, have teamed up to share their passion for music, their witty humor, and their message of Hope and Love with their many fans.  With original renditions running from jazz to classical, and from gospel to pop-rock, Chapter 6 has been blessed with the opportunity to demonstrate its versatility for a wide range of audiences, including business parties, corporate conventions, college festivals, churches, weddings, opera houses, and regional, high-school tours. Upon the recent graduation of several members from Millikin University, Chapter 6 aims to add musical instruction to its goals, educating students on vocal styles and techniques and inspiring youth to activate their dreams.  United, these young men believe in having fun and in entertaining their audiences, while at the same time, maintaining a high standard of musical precision and personal excellence.  Together, they hold each other accountable for their belief in Christ, their trust in one another, and their passion for music.

Dare To Breathe has won acclaim and affection for its innovative and dynamic programs since its debut in May of 1996.  Its vast and colorful repertoire spans the globe and eight centuries. Concerts by the group include folk music and popular songs from all over the world, contemporary vocal chamber music, close harmony standards from the '30s and '40s, Renaissance madrigals, and musical theater, all performed with energy, polish, and good humor. The members of Dare To Breathe all have classical training and experience performing in a wide range of styles and settings. Each brings his or her own unique gifts and musical passions to create the groupšs sound and personality. Dare To Breathe has recorded three CDs, premiered many new works, and is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a $25,000 Fellowship for Performing Artists last year through the McKnight Foundation and the MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis.  

elmoTHUMM Returning for their fifth and perhaps final time to the Sweeps quintet elmoTHUMM (Greg Vaden, Adam Westmoreland, Jason Miller, Ed Pendleton & Paul Ellinger) are looking to improve upon their 3rd place finish in 2001. With the release of their first CD in the fall of 2001 entitled elmoTHUMM "LIVE!" the group has plans for a very busy concert schedule in 2002 & are looking forward to seeing their fans out on the road. For additional group information please visit them online at www.elmothumm.com or call (248)676-0886. elmoTHUMM would like to thank their families, friends & fans for their continued support.

Hot Vox is a Chicago based acappella group of seven men who collectively have over a hundred years of studio and live performing experience. As individuals they have performed and recorded with such luminaries as Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Bob Hope, Lee Ann Womack, Bobby McFerrin and Rosemary Clooney, among others. Their acappella and choral credits include performing with and writing for Glad, Voices of Liberty (Epcot), Phil Mattson, Robert Shaw and VoiceTrek (National Harmony Sweeps Finalists 2001). As jingle singers in Chicago, Nashville, Orlando and New York, you have heard their voices on radio and TV commercials representing hundreds of products like McDonald's, Nintendo, Oldsmobile, Kellogg's and Minute Maid. As the group HotVox, their music reflects their love for the soulful sounds of R & B and extended jazz harmonies. A chance to hear them live is sure to be memorable!

LISTEN UP! has enjoyed entertaining an expansive variety of audiences while continuing to elude definition for ten years.  Moshe Mann, Loren Shevitz, Chuck Finkelstein and Steve Singer deliver an eclectic, energetic mix of Jewish and secular music and styles - all in dynamic harmony.  For ten years, this award-winning "no instruments allowed" ensemble has been bringing their unique brand of Jewish music to communities throughout the US and Canada.  LISTEN UP! is celebrating the release of their third recording, "Jewphoria" - a collection of popular traditional Jewish songs flipped on their heads with humor, warmth, and vocal pyrotechnics.  "Jewphoria" has been nominated in the "best religious album" category for the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA), an international contest whose past winners include vocal groups such as the Nylons, Rockapella, and Take 6.  LISTEN UP! is the first Jewish-music vocal ensemble in the history of the CARAs to be nominated in this category. The Chicago Tribune writes, "What comes across in every moment of their performance is an adoration for singing -- turning melodies and harmonies on their heads to come up with something unique and full of freshness and appeal.  When redefining musical rules, it helps to be good -- and these four are very good, lacking nothing in imagination and the ability to sell their vision of a song."

No Limit the hottest new vocal band out of the midwest, has been captivating audiences everywhere.  With soaring, soulful lead voices; tight harmonies; killer percussion; energetic stage presence; exciting choreography; and contemporary, 98 Degrees/*NSYNC looks, NO LIMIT has great audience appeal.  Already being featured on regional U.S. radio with its debut single, "All My Love," and having appeared at schools, colleges, fairs, festivals and other public, civic and private/corporate events, the group is currently being considered for its debut in Japan.  With a repertoire covering pop hits and original songs, there really *is* NO LIMIT to how far this 5-man vocal band can go!  

Straight No Chaser , the Indiana University Alumni Association-sponsored men's a cappella group, is proud and honored to be performing in Harmony Sweepstakes.  SNC was founded in 1996 and has produced 4 albums (with a 5th, titled "Thank You", to be released at SNC's Spring Concert at the IU Auditorium on 4/27/02) while serving as ambassadors for Indiana University.  SNC has performed over 600 shows, including performances of the National Anthem at the internationally televised 2001 Brickyard 400 NASCAR race, as well as Chicago White Sox games and various IU sporting events.  SNC has received such prestigious awards as "Best Male Collegiate Album" (Last Call), "Best Male Collegiate Song" (Ghost Train), 2nd place in the 1998 National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella competition in Carnegie Hall.  SNC invites you to the "Thank You" CD Release Spring Concert on 4/27/02 at 8pm in the IU Auditorium in Bloomington. 

Complete list of 2002 national participants