2003 Boston Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

19th 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

Groove

Groove is Boston's newest acappella sensation. Formed in December of 2001, this seven man vocal band specializes in arranging and performing pop/rock songs in a contemporary style. Though this lineup is new, individually, Groove's members have performed in over 2000 acappella shows as past and current members of: Binghamton Crosbys, Buffalo Chips, Boston College Acoustics, Boston College Bostonians, UMASS Doo wop Shop, The Gentlemen of UNH, Jyde, Four Shadow, The Hyannis Sound, Jigsaw and Five o'Clock Shadow. This exciting new septet strives to combine a high level of musicality with a vibrant stage energy

2003 Boston Champions

All About Buford

All About Buford is a pop-funk vocal band from Boston, New York City and Philadelphia who switch seamlessly between an a cappella format and an acoustic guitar format, delivering pure vocals, complex arrangements, and intricate harmonies. The rhythmic background of AAB is the complex vocal percussion (beatboxing) of Del Coy, who simultaneously does percussion AND bass. You might not believe the sound is being created vocally, but there are no drum tracks! Performing an eclectic mix of covers and originals, All About Buford has been described as both sexy AND sophisticated. They have performed steadily at venues large and small since their inception in 2000, and were the 2003 Boston Regional Harmony Sweepstakes champions (runner-up in 2002). All About Buford does a high-energy, surprising show that gets an audience involved.

2003 Results
1st	All About Buford
2nd	Northeast Connection
3rd	From the Edge
Audience Favorite	From the Edge
Best Original Arrangement	"Lois Lane" arr. by Michael King & Carolyn Schneyer
Best Original Song	"Hoochie Mama"

2003 Participating Groups

All About Buford
All About Buford is a pop-funk vocal band from Boston, New York City and Philadelphia who switch seamlessly between an a cappella format and an acoustic guitar format, delivering pure vocals, complex arrangements, and intricate harmonies. The rhythmic background of AAB is the complex vocal percussion (beatboxing) of Del Coy, who simultaneously does percussion AND bass. You might not believe the sound is being created vocally, but there are no drum tracks! Performing an eclectic mix of covers and originals, All About Buford has been described as both sexy AND sophisticated. They have performed steadily at venues large and small since their inception in 2000, and were the 2003 Boston Regional Harmony Sweepstakes champions (runner-up in 2002). All About Buford does a high-energy, surprising show that gets an audience involved.

Listen to: Summertime | Listen to: My Funny Valentine

Members: Amy Malkoff, Shah Salmi, Taunia Soderquist, Wes Carroll, Wes Carroll

Faith in Action
Faith in Action is a women’s a cappella group, singing gospel and spiritual songs with touches of jazz. Founded in March of 1996, the ad hoc group sang the same song (Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “We Are”) over several months for church-related events, culminating in a performance at Madison Square Garden in August 1996. After Madison Square Garden, they decided maybe God had a plan for the group, and maybe it was time to learn more than one song. Since then, FIA has performed with the Boston a cappella community (at a cappella showcases, clubs, and East Coast A Cappella Summits), in gospel concerts, for a variety of benefit events, and on WGBH-TV with Bobby McFerrin. FIA placed third in the 1999 Boston Sweeps, and is thrilled to be back with new members and new names.

Members: Darlene Burgess, Janet Appleby, Christine Federspiel, Toni Franklin, Rebecca Harrold, Jessica Lewis, Sharon Metzger, Janet Appleby

Fretless
Fretless made its debut in June of 1999 at the First Parish Unitarian Church in Bedford, MA. In 2004, we competed at the Eastern Regional Harmony Sweepstakes at Tufts University's Cohen Auditorium, winning third place. In 2005, we produced our first CD entitled "All the Things We Are".

Fretless weaves the soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass voices of five accomplished performers into a tapestry of lush harmonies and fascinating lyrics. Our repertoire includes an adventurous mix of lively pop songs, Broadway classics, demanding classical works, and off-beat selections from the great American songbook.

Members: Sue Wellington, Anna S. Choi, David Getty, Bill Reed, Charlie Hodges, Anna S. Choi

From the Edge
From the Edge is a female foursome that sings a variety of a cappella music--usually in the barbershop style. They have performed all over the New England area and have recently released their first CD. Lynne Morgan, tenor, from Fairfield, CT, is an illustrator; Penny Schroeder, baritone, from Trumbull, CT, is a medical transcriptionist; Sue Broudy, lead, from Weston, CT, worked in the field of advertising; and Marion Devokaitis, bass, from Farmington, CT, is a retired elementary school teacher. The group is presently the North Atlantic Regional championship quartet of Sweet Adelines International, and is honored to have been chosen to participate in tonight's event.

Members: Marion Devokaitis, Lynne Morgan, Sue Broudy, Penny Schroeder, Sue Broudy

Integration by Parts
Integration by Parts is a six-member, co-ed group which has recently burst forth onto Boston a cappella scene. A merry band of a cappella veterans happy to have found a home, the group is quickly becoming known for its tight vocal harmonies and exuberant performance style. IBP has crafted a unique sound influenced heavily by jazz, breathing new life into everything from pop to folk to classic rock. Integration by Parts. a cappella without limits!

Members: Melanie Armstrong, Liz Baraff, Jeff Alderson, Michael King, Carolyn Schneyer, Greg Simpson, Jeff Alderson

Northeast Connection
Northeast Connection presents barbershop quartet music in a style reminiscent of the vaudeville era. Precise harmonies and beautiful old songs, wrapped up in an entertaining and folksy package are the trademark of this quartet. Since this foursome began singing together in 1996, they have won the Northeastern District Quartet Championship, and represented the Northeastern District four times at the SPEBSQSA International Contest and Convention. Their personnel comes to the table with a combined total of over 50 years of entertaining audiences all over the country. Be sure to take time to introduce yourself to Northeast Connection. They are, quite simply, four pretty good guys who love to meet new folks!

Members: Matt Mercier, Ralph St. George, Rob Lynds, Dan Washington, Rob Lynds

Six Appeal
Is Six Appeal a comedy group, a vocal ensemble, or a rock band? Audiences have been trying to answer that question for years. Swearing off instruments, Six Appeal uses a cappella singing to span decades of classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes. Featuring vocal dexterity and adventurous song selection, the group explores all genres with a far-reaching repertoire that will surprise and captivate audiences regardless of the setting. Despite their cheeky group name, the antics of these six young gentlemen provide a good natured atmosphere for their electrifying performance. A Six Appeal show will split your sides, feed your musical sweet tooth, and leave you wondering how in the world they pulled it off just with voices.

Members: Christy Colburn, Kim Armstrong, Irene Antonellis, Ben Sigwarth, Julie Tucker, Matt Wrobel, Irene Antonellis

The Works
The Works is a five-part a cappella group, three men and two women, founded in 1994. The group is comprised of a public relations guru at a start-up company, a vascular surgeon, a stay-at-home Dad, a stay-at-home Mom, and a stay-at-home Mom that does marketing communications on the quasi-side. The Works perform an eclectic mix of contemporary close harmony, from the B-52s to Gershwin, from Ricki Lee Jones to James Brown. Based in Hyannis, Wenham, Sherborn, Concord and Wellesley, we’ve performed in a wide variety of settings, from intimate anniversary parties to business meetings with large gatherings of 3,000 people in a room to empty squash courts. The group is characterized by an intense rehearsal regimen (wine, chat, some singing), an absence of conflict when we all agree, and a shameless research-based, in-depth knowledge of tonight’s judges.

Members: Beverly Jaques, Fred Jordan, Dan Gorin, Sarah Lazarus, Patrick Rafter, Dan Gorin

2003 Judges TBA

Complete list of 2003 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 :

Dan Campagna (Boston) has been a part of the a cappella community for over 10 years and is the co-founder and business manager of the Boston-based group, Fermata Town. Behind his leadership, Fermata Town has released two award-winning albums, performed at international festivals and appeared on network TV. In 2013, Fermata Town captured the Boston Harmony Sweepstakes championship before placing third overall at Nationals where they took home "Best Original Song" honors. He is a founding board member of the Contemporary A Cappella League and voluteer program manager for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA). An active member in the Boston a cappella community, Dan enjoys attending local shows and volunteering for Varsity Vocals during ICCA season.

Prior to Fermata Town, Dan sang collegiate a cappella at Emmanuel College in Encore!, the college’s first-ever coed group which later changed its name to In Good Company.

Outside of a cappella, Dan works fulltime at Emmanuel College as the Director of Athletic Communications. Dan is also an Assistant Coach to the University of Massachusetts Boston Women’s Soccer Team and an adjunct professor at Lasell College where he teaches a sports journalism course.

860-874-5191
FermataTown@gmail.com

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Cohen Auditorium, Tufts University

Cohen Auditorium is the largest auditorium/lecture hall on the Medford Campus at Tufts University. The house seats 616 with 486 seats in the orchestra and 130 seats in the balcony. Located in the Aidekman Arts Center, it is a multi-use facility serving as a classroom from morning through mid-evening, Monday through Thursdays, and a performance or conference space on weeknights and weekends. Cohen Auditorium is located on the Medford campus at Tufts University, Cohen Auditorium is inside the Aidekman Arts Center on Talbot Avenue, near College Ave. There is plenty of free parking.Directions -

COHEN AUDITORIUM, TUFTS UNIVERSITY

40 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA 02155

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