2001 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

17th 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

Toxic Audio

In 1998, Toxic Audio launched its quirky show in an abandoned storefront at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. To their amazement, people began cramming into that storefront to see them. The show caught the attention of Disney executives who hired them as featured performers at the Disney/MGM Studios. Soon after, the group was crowned champion at the National Harmony Sweepstakes in California.

In the year 2003, Toxic Audio's album, Chemistry was named "Album of the Year" by the Contemporary Acappella Society of America. The group has made national TV appearances with Ed McMahon and Wayne Brady, and even got to sing a reggae-style weather report on ESPN2's morning show "Cold Pizza". Toxic Audio won the 2004 Drama Desk Award for "Unique Theatrical Experience" for their Off-Broadway Show in New York's John Houseman Theatre where they continue to electrify audiences by exploring the boundaries of the human voice.

2001 Mid-Atlantic Champions

4:2:Five

4:2:Five is not your parents' a cappella. What used to be street-corner barbershop and doo-wop, has now evolved into a fresh new sound and 4:2:Five is right at the breakpoint. With driving vocal bass, slamming vocal percussion, and tight harmonies, these five young men create a sound that is all their own using nothing more than their highly trained mouths. 4:2:Five has performed at the 2000 Orlando International Fringe Festival, on several radio stations, and won Ed McMahons internet based talent search www.Nextbigstar.com. The guys have been seen at NBC's Today Show, every news station in the Orlando area, and you might even catch 4:2:Five on a television commercial or doing a jingle on the radio. 4:2:Five's unique sound is derived from the diverse backgrounds of its members, the individual talents possessed by each, and the belief that the music always has and always will come first.

2001 Results
1st	4:2:Five
2nd	InDEciSIon
3rd	4real
Best Original Arrangement	"Cheek to Cheek" Brian Lewis

2001 Participating Groups

4:2:Five
4:2:Five is not your parents' a cappella. What used to be street-corner barbershop and doo-wop, has now evolved into a fresh new sound and 4:2:Five is right at the breakpoint. With driving vocal bass, slamming vocal percussion, and tight harmonies, these five young men create a sound that is all their own using nothing more than their highly trained mouths. 4:2:Five has performed at the 2000 Orlando International Fringe Festival, on several radio stations, and won Ed McMahons internet based talent search www.Nextbigstar.com. The guys have been seen at NBC's Today Show, every news station in the Orlando area, and you might even catch 4:2:Five on a television commercial or doing a jingle on the radio. 4:2:Five's unique sound is derived from the diverse backgrounds of its members, the individual talents possessed by each, and the belief that the music always has and always will come first.

Members: James May, Layne Stein, Geoff Castellucci, Earl Elkins Jr, Scott Porter, Earl Elkins Jr

4real
In 1987, a high school quartet named The Braxmen was formed at Indiana Senior High in Indiana, Pennsylvania. As students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Braxmen expanded their sound and extended their audience beyond the university¹s walls. Original members left and new members joined a new name of Mixed Emotions was adopted. Despite their successes, the group ultimately parted ways. Two years passed before some members ran into each other at a local concert and the magic was still there. That was three years ago. Today, 4real is an a cappella quintet that delivers your favorite songs from the Fifties, Sixties and Nineties with an unmistakable modern sound that can only be called 4real!

Members: Chris Murphy, Mark Ferrari, Ben Tinker, Devon Lippmann, Sean Moran, Sean Moran

BlueLine
BlueLine is an award-winning, mixed quintet that performs jazz, gospel and pop a cappella music from the DC Area. Started in the fall of 1999 by friends whose day jobs weren't providing enough time on stage, the group has achieved a tight blend and performed at competitions, music festivals and private events. Washington City Paper called BlueLine "exciting" and "exhilarating." BlueLine gets its name from the subway line and is a tribute to the great Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train" - the kind of bluesy jazz that the group loves to sing

Members: Ashley Burt, Kakki Reynolds, Brian Lewis, J. P. Vidas, Anita Willis, Sam Janniere, Anita Willis

Humbuckers
Formed in April 1999, The Humbuckers perform contemporary rock originals and covers. The Humbuckers have performed throughout the Washington D.C. area and beyond at venues such as the National Press Club, the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Taste of Arlington, Borders Books and Music, and the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival. In March 2000, The Humbuckers performed at the Mid-Atlantic regional for the Harmony Sweepstakes. In January 2001, The Humbuckers were voted "Artist of the Month" by a cappella enthusiasts across the country who voted on vocaluniverse.com. The Humbuckers plan to release their debut CD in May 2001, and will be performing at fairs and festivals in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland during the Spring and Summer.

Members: Bradley Terrill, Eric Olsen, David Lieber, Dave Trendler, Chris Walsh, Chris Walsh

InDEciSIon
InDEciSIon is a vocal quartet which performs a capella music in the grand style of American barbershop. Formed in 1999, the popular group has delighted large and small audiences with their close harmonies and unique brand of humor. InDEciSIon is comprised of men with accumulated experience of more than 100 years in vocal music. Not that they are OLD, mind you, but its important for you to know! InDEciSIon provides an unusual and thoroughly entertaining addition to your gathering or special occasion.

Members: Ed Avery, Bill Hickman, Shelby Robert, Bob Yelton, Bob Yelton

Mutual Agreement
In the fall of 1993, six young men formed and a capella sextet called Mutual Agreement, which means "A Covenant with God." Their intention is to spread the Word of God through song, bringing hope, strength and encouragement to all who will listen.

Each member brings his own individual gifts, talents and creativity to the group. The group uses the human voice as the chief instrument of their performance. Each member mutually agrees that their music ministry will not be kept confined within the traditional walls of the church, their mission field consists of ministering to the sick and shut-in, incarcerated youth and adults, hospitals, evangelistic meetings and wherever there is a need to provide encouragement through song.

Members: James (Slim) Davis, Dunbar Henri, Eddie Hicks, Mark Allen, Gerald Best, Donald Jackson, Gerald Best

One-Handed Catch
One-Handed Catch is an award-winning women¹s barbershop quartet. These four women registered the quartet in 1992 and have enjoyed singing and being together ever since. They have entertained audiences just about anywhere you might imagine, from the Greek Islands to the White House to hotel lobbies, churches, living rooms and at celebrations of all kinds.

Members: Melissa Panagides Busch, Jinny Guy, Nancy Machado, Sherry Stanton, Sherry Stanton

Take Note!
Take Note! is a mixed a cappella quintet based in northern Virginia. The group sings a variety of popular and jazz standards from the 1920s to today. Performing at area festivals, private receptions and public concerts, Take Note!’s signature sound hones in on melodic, blended arrangements rather than the traditional chord/solo-based charts of our college years. Take Note!’s most recent exciting event was a performance at the packed steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the First Annual A Cappella Festival in Washington, DC. A favorite singing spot for Take Note! is the corner coffee shop on any evening. Combining a love of music and the fellowship of harmony singing, the group inspires crowds everywhere to, Take Note!

Members: Mary Stewart, Barry Astrow, Nick Amatuzzi, Jeff Sands, Sara Newman, Sara Newman

2001 Judges TBA

Complete list of 2001 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

Our Hall of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

The Harmony Sweepstakes National Audience Favorites

Other Year's Results - 2026 - 2024 - 2023 - 2023 - 2022 - 2022 - 2020 - 2020 - 2019 - 2019 - 2018 - 2018 - 2017
2017 - 2016 - 2016 - 2015 - 2015 - 2014 - 2014 - 2013 - 2013 - 2012 - 2012 - 2011 - 2011 - 2010 - 2010 - 2009 - 2009
2008 - 2008 - 2007 - 2007 - 2006 - 2006 - 2005 - 2005 - 2004 - 2004 - 2003 - 2003 - 2002 - 2002 - 2000 - 2000 - 1999
1999 - 1998 - 1998 - 1997 - 1997 - 1995 - 1995

The Birchmere

Many careers have been launched from this internationally recognized music hall. On any given night, a star may be born. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dave Matthews, Vince Gill, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and k.d. Lang are just a few of the artists counted as good friends of the Birchmere. The Birchmere is committed to the presentation of the highest quality music in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere. Directions -Yelp reviews -Photos

THE BIRCHMERE

3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

Primarily A Cappella - Your Source For Vocal Harmony Music

Browse