27th Annual


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The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, 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.

2011 Rocky Mountain Champions

Throat

2011 Results

1st
Throat
2nd
McPhly
Audience Favorite
McPhly
Best Original Song
Emily Bede - "Monsters and Animals" - Throat
Best Original Arrangement
Paul Lannon - "DU" - IdioSINGcrasies
Best Vocal Percussion
Matt Murphy - Throat
Best Soloist
Emily Bedel

Throat is a vocal band that sings 100% original music.  Influenced by great rock groups of the past 50 years, as well as the pioneers of the contemporary a cappella vocal band movement, THROAT is dedicated to performing fresh, rocking music for the masses.


2011 PARTICIPATING GROUPS

Eclipse, winner of the high school division of the Mile High Vocal Jam, is an 8 member a cappella group from Lakewood High School.   This is their third year under the direction of Lois Petersen, a former A cappella Impact Award recipient.

Beyond the 6:30 am rehearsals and their choir department concerts, Eclipse has received standing ovations for performances at Jeffco community events, the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference, and at the Mile High Vocal Jam.

Their youthful energy and musical finesse is evident in their arrangements and performances.  Combine the members’ talents of opera singing, banjo picking, guitar strumming, bass plucking,  piano concerto playing, trumpet wailing, song writing, video engineering, parts arranging, merry making, play acting…and what do you get?  ECLIPSE

Members: Molly Bedard, Karin Bennett, Henry Bradford, Amy Brinkman-Davis,
Dan Caprera, Cody Carbone, Brett Conrad and Ali Fanucchi


IdioSINGcrasies - A select group of beautiful and talented men and women who just can’t help but frequently burst into song. The IdioSINGcrasies pride themselves on being entirely self-operating group at the University of Denver who’s members all have diverse strengths and experience singing together. Never complete without both new talent and some veterans, they are prepared to tackle any vocal challenge that comes our way. So bring it!

IdioSINGcrasies is influenced by all musical genres, with recent inspirations ranging from Janelle Monae to Drake and from Guns 'n' Roses, to Stevie Wonder - they cover it all. With plans to lead Collegiate A Cappella regionally by consistently raising the standard - their performances are a reflection of everything they value: family, a passion for music, and enjoying themselves. Check them out. There is no room for disappointment!

Members: Galen Jacobs, Katie Turley, Kirby Page-Schmit, Marcus Yetter,
Maryclaire Costello, Meg Kardos, Nate Pearson, Paul Lannon


King4 - Elvis is back in the building! The #1 hitmaker in QUADRUPLICATE! Four Elvises (Elvi?) croon a cappella versions of the King’s most beloved numbers, as well as modern P.E. (post-Elvis) classics in the King's style, in this fun but loving tribute.


Members: Brandon Anderson, Jay Jones, Jared Allen, Todd Eccles

McPhly - In the fall of 2008, the four members of McPhly came together to create a new sound in a cappella.  After only 5 rehearsals in 3 weeks McPhly won the RMD District Championship by decisive margins. The new foursome came together with a wealth of vocal music experience and is currently taking the Denver a cappella scene by storm.  All four coming from different popular groups, McPhly is quickly becoming a new standard of a cappella.  

Since their inception, the group’s repertoire has been ever expanding - with music ranging from jazz, pop, barbershop, country and more, they have been wildy popular with audiences.  They have performed in over 20 states nationwide and continue to perform nationally and recently placed 15th at the BHS International Contest in Philadelphia, PA.  

Get ready for McPhly!

Members: Brian Fox, Andrew Hoag, Curtis Terry, Travis Tabares, Ryan Gallatin Wilson

Pandora Celtica - Hail to thee Bright Beings!  We are Pandora Celtica, a dark faerie acapella band from the lands of dream and myth.  We've been brought together by the Queen of the Fae for your entertainment.  We bring you rich harmonies, tribal drumming and ancient songs of  sorrow, loss and longing.  Let us move you.  Let us thrill you.  Let us free you.


Members: ShadowCat, Discordia, Requiem, Rubiee, and Nessa

Renegade is a six-part male a capella group and was formed in the Spring of 2009. Their entire repertoire consists of a cappella music from many different genres - including Rock, Jazz, Choral and Pop.  

Renegade hails from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and is continuously expanding its repertoire and performance opportunities. Its members come together from across several disciplines, and include several future teachers: Alex Hill-Music Composition and Performance, Joey Revier-Musical Theater, Jacob Rivera-Philosophy, Mark Petersen-Music Education, Zach Wilson-Music Education, Nathan Wubbena-Music Education.

Renegade entertains its audiences with quality arrangements and compositions, and sets a standard of excellence with every performance.


Members: Alex Hill, Joey Revier, Jacob Rivera, Mark Petersen, Zach Wilson, Nathan Wubbena

Throat - is a vocal band that sings 100% original music.  Influenced by great rock groups of the past 50 years, as well as the pioneers of the contemporary a cappella vocal band movement, THROAT is dedicated to performing fresh, rocking music for the masses.


Members: Kate Spencer, Emily Bedal, Peter Driscoll, Mister Tim, Matt Murphy

2011 Judges

Lannie Garrett has that rare combination of popular and critical appeal. In addition to being named Favorite Female Vocalist several years in a row by The Denver Post readers, she garnered top spot as favorite singer with the readers of 5280 Magazine and Out Front Colorado. She has received glowing reviews in national press from Gentleman’s Quarterly to Genre Magazine.

This redhead changes her feathers easily, from the glamorous, sequined chanteuse fronting her 10 piece big band, “Any Swing Goes,” to her hilarious, country spoof, The Patsy DeCline Show, her stage presence, humor and ability to connect with her audience always shines through.

In 2006, Lannie and writer/producer, actor, Jefferson Arca, opened a nightclub bearing her name, a gorgeous, intimate showroom, Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, in the heart of downtown Denver. The club showcases her many shows and features national acts and the best in Colorado entertainment.


Erin Hackel heads the Commercial Voice program in the MEIS department at the University of Colorado at Denver, where she also directs the competitive a cappella ensembles, The 9th Street Singers and the UCD 6. She received her Doctorate in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from CU Boulder, and has performed opera and musical theater roles across the country. Erin's a cappella groups have performed and competed here in Denver, and most recently at the ICCA West quarterfinals in Berkley, California.

Tony Huerta started his career as a professional singer for Elitch Gardens in 1990. And, as a Vocal Performance Major at UNC he founded his first A Cappella group Exact Change. In 1998, Tony joined the groundbreaking A Cappella group "The 17th Avenue Allstars" and performed for 10 years as the Vocal Percussionist and baritone/tenor.

Tony’s recording studio, Sonic Audio, was founded in 1999. He has worked on CD projects for many local and national groups including: Take 6, Nota, Face, Deltacappella, The 17th Avenue Allstars, Groove Society, Moosebutter, Skyline Chorus, Storm Front, Nexus, Ignition, The Denver A Cappella Project, CU Mile 21, and CU In the Buff.

Currently, Tony is the international touring Production Manager for Grammy winners - Take 6, as well as, engineering live concerts for the NBC “The Sing Off” groups: Nota, Face, and The Backbeats. Tony was the lead live sound engineer for the Emmy nominated concert featuring: Take 6, Amy Grant, and US Air Force Reserve Band at the Grand Ol Opry. Huerta is the producer of the Mile High Vocal Jam A Cappella festival in Denver, Colorado

Jake Schroeder Formerly of the 17th Ave All-Stars, Colorado home-boy Jake Schroeder has grown into one of Denver’s most popular performers. From singing the National Anthem at Colorado Avalanche & Rockies games to performing with his popular band – OPIE GONE BAD and raising a family, Jake manages to keep pretty busy.

Donald Tallman - A professional singer, Mr. Tallman performs regularly for Augustana Lutheran Church, Montview Presbyterian Church, and Temple Emanuel and other venues as a soloist. He has also been a member of an A Cappella quartet AVE, with a repertoire from Renaissance to contemporary jazz, and has performed a variety of programs at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Denver Art Museum, and on concert series from Arizona to Indiana.

Donald has been active in the arts community, both as a performer and as an administrator. Under his guidance, Augustana Arts, a Denver based performing arts organization, grew artistic and educational programs that reached throughout the metro area. He has served as a member of the Business Volunteers for the Arts in San Francisco and as a consultant to several Arts organizations. Mr. Tallman has also served as the Co-chair of the board of Directors of the Festival Opera Company in the San Francisco Bay area.

When Donald is not onstage entertaining he can be found at his day job at the Colorado Railroad Museum where he is Executive Director.
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Complete list of 2011 national participants


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Interested in Competing?

We are always seeking groups who would like to compete in our events.

Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between 3 and 8 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

The Harmony Sweepstakes National A Cappella Festival
PO Box D
San Anselmo, CA 94979
(415) 455-8602
festival @ harmony-sweepstakes.com


Prizes

Regional winners win roundtrip airfare plus two nights accommodation in the San Francisco Bay Area to compete in the Harmony Sweepstakes National A Cappella Festival

A selection of compact discs from the Primarily A Cappella catalog

A $250 coupon from Discmakers


Complete List of Rocky Mountain Champions

Previous Rocky Mountain results - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998


Theater at Colorado Heights University

Founded in 1989 on the historic campus of the former Loretto Heights College. The the first building to be built on campus was the historic Administration Building, dating back to 1890’s. On September 21, 1890, Mother Pancratia and the sisters laid the cornerstone for Loretto Heights. The magnificent red sandstone school building, a $350,000 six-story structure, was designed by Denver's premier architect, Frank E. Edbrooke. The Administration Building, the centerpiece of the campus is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This proscenium theater has seating for 999 people.
Yahoo map - Google map


Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweepstakes Festival

Sunday, March 20th, 2011, 2PM

Theater at Colorado Heights University

3001 S. Federal Blvd, Denver 80236

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