39th 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.

Hosted by

2023 Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

Radius

Radius is an all-male identifying vocal ensemble, hailing from different corners of the country. Radius was formed in the midst of the global pandemic with the intention of creating top-tier virtual content and bringing some light to the world during the lockdown period. After working on virtual projects for several months, the group started to hit their stride and was fortunate enough to spend a week together in Chicago the following summer. From that point on, it was apparent that Radius was more than just a quarantine passion project: it was a group of talented, passionate, and hardworking friends who wanted to take their artistry to the next level. Radius released their first EP, Silver Lining, in July 2021, available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. The group intends to release several studio-length albums, and is currently on tour throughout various parts of the United States!

Members: Gabe Schonman, Ben Boutell, Sam Baker, Michael St. Peter, Lucas Faria de Sá Tucker

2024 Chicago Champions

Remedy

Remedy is a co-ed contemporary a cappella group from the University of Dayton. Remedy was founded in 2012 as the University of Dayton's first a cappella group. They have been able to travel, compete, and achieve many awards in different competitive circuits. Remedy has also released an EP, 'The Compilation', on their Spotify in the summer of 2021. Remedy loves sharing their passion for a cappella and is honored to have had opportunities to entertain their audiences across the country.

2024 Results
1st	Remedy
2nd	Minor Mischief
3rd	Stiletto Quartet
Audience Favorite	Remedy
Best Original Arrangement	Christina Case, Minor Mischief, "Bad Case Of Mercy"
Best Original Song	Ed & John Sherman,, Flannel Folk, "Jailbreak"
Best Vocal Percussionist	Ed Sherman of Flannel Folk
Best Soloist	Deven Cannon of Remedy

2024 Participating Groups

Flannel Folk
Flannel Folk is a contemporary a cappella group based in Cedarburg, WI. Since its founding in 2018, Flannel Folk has gone on to become a household name in the greater Milwaukee area through their unique arrangements of fun and energetic music. Flannel Folk prides itself on singing many genres, including 80's Rock, Modern Hits, Barbershop, and Originals. Flannel Folk's impressive resume of performances includes the AHOU International Conference, Harley Davidson s 120th Anniversary Festival, the Wisconsin Center, Taste of Highland Park, the Bitter Jester Music Festival, and countless local venues.

Members: Edward Sherman, John Sherman, Robert Danner, Hailey Bault, Renee Bilsborough

Lake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive started in May, 2021 and on September 18th, 2021 was crowned the Illinois District of the Barbershop Harmony Society 2021 Quartet Champions. Lake Shore Drive's musical variety encompasses the heart and soul of the Chicago music scene from Blues, Rock and Roll and of course Barbershop.

Members: Steve Davis, Jeff Lathom, Mitch Greenberg, Steve Schoultz

Minor Mischief
A fun Twin Cities-based music group with five fabulous friends! We ve been singing together for over 10 years and don t plan to stop anytime soon. We like to do a little bit of everything. From Beach Boys to Beyonc , th ere s a little something for everyone!

Members: Anna Torgerson, Christina Case, Ricky Pierce, Nic Fairbanks, Luke Ericksen

Remedy
Remedy is a co-ed contemporary a cappella group from the University of Dayton. Remedy was founded in 2012 as the University of Dayton's first a cappella group. They have been able to travel, compete, and achieve many awards in different competitive circuits. Remedy has also released an EP, 'The Compilation', on their Spotify in the summer of 2021. Remedy loves sharing their passion for a cappella and is honored to have had opportunities to entertain their audiences across the country.

Members: Ariel Radinovic, Kate Proctor, Kate Tucker, Sarah Spaulding, Cedric Mwizerwa, Deven Cannon, Jeremy Page, Jack Lynch, Evanson Good

Stiletto Quartet
Stiletto is a registered quartet with Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. Stiletto Quartet formed in 2017, after meeting as members of The Choral-aires Chorus of Addison, IL. Stiletto has received medals at each of their annual regional competitions. They were especially proud to become the Midwest Harmony Region 3 Quartet Champions in 2023, earning a spot to compete at the Sweet Adelines International Competition this past fall!

Members: Lindsey Bondi, Kim Blair, Cat Gattone, Linda Herza

Your Emcee for the Evening

David Wilner

David Wilner competed in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes with Blind Man’s Bluff and Fiveplay, winning First Place, Audience Favorite, and Best Original Song with each group. During his six years in Blind Man’s Bluff, David toured nationally and recorded five albums. He also spent seven years with the classic rock quartet Ac•Rock, recording two albums. Today, David emcees events throughout the Chicagoland area and performs in the band The Four C Notes. He has been the regional producer of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes since 2017.

2024 Judges

Randy Stine

After graduating from Indiana University in 2000 and a career working in information technology, Randy was called back to the world of music in 2008 when he posted a video to YouTube. The video, shot in 1998, was of he and his college friends in Straight No Chaser, singing the “12 Days of Christmas.” It became the most viral video of 2007, which led the CEO of Atlantic Records to call Randy and reunite the group. Over ten years later, the group has performed thousands of concerts across 48 states and 20 countries, performed on television shows such as TODAY and Jimmy Fallon, sold over one million albums, and has over 100 million YouTube views. Randy and his wife, Lindsey, reside in his hometown of Naperville, IL, along with their son, Henry.

Susan Mathein

Susan has worked as a professional vocalist, actress and spokesperson for over 25 years. She was born and raised in New Hope, Pennsylvania and performed in many regional and off-broadway theatres and was a featured soloist on tour with “Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians”. Since moving to Chicago, she has performed with the “Light Opera Works”, the vocal jazz quartets “Blue Skies” and “Cooler by the Lake” and the vocal ensembles “The Lakeside Singers” and “The Caroling Party”. She has also recorded numerous demos for music publishing houses and has been featured in several National television commercials and independent films. She is most proud, however, of her 2 beautiful children and her incredible husband.

Morgan Briana Hare

Morgen Briana Hare is a professional musician with over 15 years in the Chicago market, and collaborations through LA, Atlanta, and New York. Morgen has over 25 years of combined training and experience. Whether working as a studio vocalist, recording for TV and radio commercials, or live shows, Morgen can fulfill any performance need. She is currently the bandleader and lead singer of Entourage, the internationally traveled, award-winning cover band, and the proud owner of ChiVibe Inc.(pronounced SHY-vibe), which offers marketing consulting, coaching, and more. To say this woman is driven is an understatement. You can find her on FB/IG @morgen.briana.hare and on her site

Doug Pawlik

Doug Pawlik is a professional actor, musician, and teaching artist from the Chicago area, and is a graduate of North Central College. As an actor, you’ve seen him on TV in commercials and on Chicago Fire, on stage locally at Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, and Lookingglass Theatre, in addition to regionally at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Repertory Theater, and the Pasadena Playhouse. He has performed across the Midwest as a founding member of Cowboy Jukebox, a country/rock cover band, and around the country as part of The Four C Notes, a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. For the past 17 years, Doug has been singing a cappella with The Caroling Party all over the Chicagoland area. Doug lives in Chicago with his very talented wife and their two kids.

John Musick

John Musick graduated from Millikin University where he received a degree in music education. After graduation he was the music director and bass for the nationally acclaimed singing group Chapter 6. His group is the only to ever win both the ICCA finals and the Harmony Sweepstakes international Competition. Among Chapter 6’s most notable venues are Avery Fischer Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The National Center for the Performing Arts in Hong Kong. John has also performed as a solo artist with many of the major orchestra’s in the U.S. including The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and The Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra. As an educator he is active teaching clinics, festivals, and recording sessions nationwide. John is currently a choir teacher at Lyons Township High School in La Grange Illinois. He and his wife Sarah live in Morris Illinois with their sons Elijah and Benjamin. John is thrilled to be a judge at the 2024 Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes where his professional singing career began two decades ago.

Complete list of 2024 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 :

David Wilner (Chicago) David Wilner competed in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes with Blind Man’s Bluff and Fiveplay, winning First Place, Audience Favorite, and Best Original Song with each group. During his six years in Blind Man’s Bluff, David toured nationally and recorded five albums. He also spent seven years with the classic rock quartet Ac•Rock, recording two albums. Today, David emcees events throughout the Chicagoland area and performs in the band The Four C Notes. He has been the regional producer of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes since 2017.

P.O. Box 4502, Naperville, IL 60567
847-226-3366
david@davidwilner.com

Our Hall of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

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Wentz Concert Hall

Wentz Concert Hall is hailed as a gem - the premier destination in Chicago’s western suburbs to appreciate performances of classical, jazz and contemporary music. The acoustics in Wentz Concert Hall are designed by Talaske Sound Thinking, acoustical consultants for Chicago’s critically acclaimed Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. Wentz Concert Hall can be “tuned” through the motorized extension and retraction of sound-absorbing curtains. Two massive sound chambers, one on each side of the stage and invisible to the audience, enhance the audio characteristics and allow sound to bounce off multiple planes as it is directed to the audience.

March 22, 2024 - 7.30pm

WENTZ CONCERT HALL

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