25th Annual

Boston Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival acapella singing competition

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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.

2009 Boston Champions

Our Town

Comprised of four men with championship ranking in both the Barbershop Harmony Society and a cappella circles, OUR TOWN won both the prestigious Harmony Sweepstakes (the oldest a cappella competition in America) and Barbershop Harmony Society Northeastern Districts in 2009.

Known for their "big sound" and pure style of harmony, the quartet recently appeared at the iconic New York City nightclub, Birdland. Intent on singing familiar songs for the enjoyment of varying audiences - college students to traditional song buffs - OUR TOWN boasts a repertoire reflective of musical tastes ranging from contemporary up-tunes to nostalgic ballads.

2009 Results

1st
Our Town
2nd
Road Show
3rd
None Of The Above
Audience Favorite
Our Town


2009 Participating Groups

5-Alone

The idea of 5-Alone was conceived in the fall of 1999. I approached four students about starting a jazz a cappella quintet with myself as the fifth member. Encouraged by the succss of our first performance, we continued singing throughout the spring and debuted officially as 5-Alone at the Iron Horse in June, 2000.

Now 5-Alone is an accredited performing arts class at PVPA. We've come a long way from the days of rehearsing at lunch and after school. 5-Alone has gained a considerable amount of attention in a very short time. Awards and honors have been piling up from DownBeat Magazine, C.A.S.A., A-Capella.com, The National Harmony Sweepstakes, R.A.R.B., Primarily A Cappella, Berklee College of Music, and the I.A.J.E. 5-Alone has performed all over the world, including New York, California, and The Netherlands, and has turned the world of high school a cappella upside down.

Members: Erin Richardson, Daniel Plimpton, Rose Whitcomb-Detmold, Tony Lechner, Harpo Jaeger, O.J. Martori

Alley Cats
Having met in 2000 as members of the international medalist, Coastline Show Chorus, this quartet bonded around the desire to bring their mischievous interpretations of old and new standards to a wider audience while exploring more contemporary styles that appeal to their eclectic tastes. The repertoire of these finicky felines spans jazz, bebop, and Motown with pop hits, and standards, all getting the unique Alley Cat treatment. From private performances to community events to the concert stage, their charming approach to a saucy mix of musical styles makes the Alley Cats a captivating harmonic treat, purrrfect for all venues.Members: Carroll Venable, Chris Gagnon, Pat Taft, Lori Nelso

KnightSong
We are in our twentieth year! KnightSong is a group of friends from diverse backgrounds who share a love of singing beautiful music. We have two regular concerts a year, have performed for many seasons of "Christmas Candlelight Nights" at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and perform at private functions and community events throughout the year. We have two CDs available for sale and are about to release our third, "Twentig," in honor of our first twenty years.Members: Brad Ketch, Keith Duggan, Becky Strickland, Rebecca Ballard, David Pylate, Dave Ballard, Courtney Strickland, Pat Buonodono

None Of The Above
Celebrating 15 plus years of music-making and camaraderie, None of the Above (NOTA) is an a cappella octet performing an eclectic mix of early polyphony, cutting-edge modern harmony, familiar folk songs, uplifting spirituals, catchy pop tunes, and lush jazz standards. Based in Wellesley, MA, NOTA has performed all over New England at coffeehouses, libraries, churches and other aca-friendly performance spaces. We have won multiple cultural council grant awards in Natick and Wellesley, MA for our diverse programming - including our annual showcase concert, Spring Fev-ah. In 2009, NOTA took third place here at Boston Sweeps, our first and only appearance to date. Our wildly popular inaugural CD, "multiple choice", is now in its second printing, and is available at numerous online outlets. We are delighted to perform today for such a great aca-savvy audience!Members: Elena Krasnovsky, Deb Abberton, Elyssa Miller, Charlie Hodges, Tony Vuolo, Matt Ettore, Jeff Auerbach, Alisa Manning

Our Town
Comprised of four men with championship ranking in both the Barbershop Harmony Society and a cappella circles, OUR TOWN won both the prestigious Harmony Sweepstakes (the oldest a cappella competition in America) and Barbershop Harmony Society Northeastern Districts in 2009.

Known for their "big sound" and pure style of harmony, the quartet recently appeared at the iconic New York City nightclub, Birdland. Intent on singing familiar songs for the enjoyment of varying audiences - college students to traditional song buffs - OUR TOWN boasts a repertoire reflective of musical tastes ranging from contemporary up-tunes to nostalgic ballads.Members: Scott Brannon, Terry Clarke, Larry Tully, Jamie Carbone

Road Show
Road Show performs for Barbershop Chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), Sweet Adelines, Int. (SAI) Harmony Inc. (HI) as well as many non-barershop events and private occations. In addition to winning the Northeastern District Championship, Road Show won the N.E. Harmony Sweeps Acapella contest which is the premier American showcase for vocal harmony music.Members: Bob O’Connell, Mike Maino, Jimmy Berger, Mike Gabriella

Snowday
Snowday, a DC based vocal band of seasoned performers, has emerged in music education to a world of applause throughout the East Coast. New harmonies combined with upbeat dialogue engage students in learning about music while listening to the popular music they love. Through varied vocal techniques, four voices and four mics, Snowday creates the full sound of a band with just voices! In addition to public performances, Snowday performs as part of the Class Acts Art roster for schools and libraries throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. Members: Becky, Marco, Hugh, Ward, Amanda Cornaglia

Tuckermans at 9
Tuckermans at 9 - "Well known pop, rock, blues, and light jazz... like Boston, Mark Cohn, James Taylor, Three Dog Night, The Beatles, Steam, Linda Ronstadt, The Kingston Trio, The Temptations, Eric Clapton, Badfinger, Orleans, Abba, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael... performed a cappella? As in, no instruments? Uh-huh. So... what do you really do?" Yeah, we get that a lot. But that's what we really do. Contemporary a cappella. And you're gonna love itMembers: Bill, Ashley, Frances, Walt, Daryl, Kam, Mark

2009 Judges

Michele Adams   

Michele Adams joined the Boston Children’s Chorus in 2007 as the first Assistant Artistic Director of the organization. She conducts four choirs at the training and intermediate levels and directs the innovative education program for urban singers. Previously, she worked in the New York City Public Schools where, as a Project ARTS (Arts Restoration Throughout the Schools) Liaison, she coordinated arts collaborations between the school and community. She also taught music and founded the choral program in her magnet school. She earned a Bachelor of Music in music education from The University of South Carolina. In addition, she earned a Master of Music in choral conducting from Florida State University, where she studied conducting with Rodney Eichenberger and André Thomas. Adams has also completed Level I Kodály certification at New England Conservatory. She has authored articles for affiliate publications of MENC: The National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association and is active as an adjudicator and speaker.

Joey Blake   

Joey is one of the founding and current members of Voicestra, the a cappella ensemble created by Bobby McFerrin. He was also a founding member of Sovoso the group that spun from Voicestra. Joey has recorded & produced five albums for this group, ( Precious - a European release, Bridges and Seasonings for the US, as well as Crack the Nut and Then and Now). He also holds numerous arranging credits to his name, including his work with SoVoSo. His discography includes recordings with McFerrin (Medicine Music, CircleSongs), Kenny Loggins, Dianne Reeves, to name a few.

Joey is currently on the faculty of Berklee College of Music in Boston, as an Associate Professor in the Voice Department. He continues to tour with, Sung Deep, Back To The Band and Bobby McFerrin, while pursuing his solo work and teaching career.

Victoria Hayes   

Victoria Hayes is currently both Program Director and teacher for the Bubs Foundation’s Be The Music Program, which brings a cappella singing classes into schools throughout the Boston area that are in need of musical opportunities. She received her undergraduate degree in music from Colby College and will be graduating this June from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a Master’s degree in education that focuses on the arts. A vocalist with a strong a cappella background, Victoria was the leader and musical director of Colby College’s oldest all-female a cappella group, the Colbyettes. Victoria is also a classically trained violinist and plays with several orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout New England.

Victoria Hayes   

Victoria Hayes is currently both Program Director and teacher for the Bubs Foundation’s Be The Music Program, which brings a cappella singing classes into schools throughout the Boston area that are in need of musical opportunities. She received her undergraduate degree in music from Colby College and will be graduating this June from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a Master’s degree in education that focuses on the arts. A vocalist with a strong a cappella background, Victoria was the leader and musical director of Colby College’s oldest all-female a cappella group, the Colbyettes. Victoria is also a classically trained violinist and plays with several orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout New England.

Amanda Roeder   

Amanda Roeder directs the Marblehead High School choral program which includes two choirs and four a cappella groups - most notably, the award-winning Jewel Tones and Luminescence. Her ensembles have appeared on the Best of High School A Cappella compilation and have earned five Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award nominations. Amanda serves on the board of the Northeast District of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and performs extensively as a freelance vocalist and flutist. She holds music education degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Gordon College.


Complete list of 2009 participants





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


Our Hall of Fame - The Harmony Sweepstakes National Champions

Regional Champions: Boston | Chicago | Denver | Los Angeles | Mid-Atlantic | New York | Pacific NW | SF Bay Area

The Harmony Sweepstakes National Audience Favorites

Regional Audience Favorites: Boston | Chicago | Denver | Los Angeles | Mid-Atlantic | New York | Pacific NW | SF Bay Area

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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 -


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COHEN AUDITORIUM, TUFTS UNIVERSITY

40 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA 02155



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