24th Annual

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.

2008 Rocky Mountain Champions

2008 PARTICIPATING GROUPS

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The 40th Parallel began as the Colorado Collegiate All Stars, a talented group of college vocalists banded together by the goal of becoming a professional vocal group. The group was formed by audition in May of 2007. That summer, The 40th Parallel learned two hours of contemporary pop/rock music and performed over twenty five times including opening for face at Nissi‚s Bistro and at the Colorado Vocal Conference in October of 2007. This ambitious group of college students and graduates has big plans to continue to develop and eventually join the ranks of the other extremely successful professional groups in the Denver area. Members: Andrew Hoag, Kate Spencer, Richard Steighner, Nick McCart, Sean Martin and Nicole Saint

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Curious Gage - Working out of Fort Collins, Colorado, Curious Gage has been a fixture in the contemporary a cappella scene for over 5 years. With five voices, five microphones, dynamic bass and powerful vocal percussion, the members of Curious Gage capture the energy and enthusiasm of an instrumental band using only their voices. Winners of the illustrious Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweepstakes competition in 2006, Curious Gage has enjoyed national a cappella recognition and local acclaim, and has spread their love of vocal harmony across the Front Range. Members: Tom Miles, Kristi Siedow, Phil Thompson, Carleen Widhalm, Nic Widhalm

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Legacy is a nationally known contemporary Christian vocal group that is based out of Lubbock, Texas. Their sound has been compared to many world renowned groups such as Take 6, Acappella, Gaither Vocal Band and Rockapella. Members: Jake Lierman, John Paul Sheppard, Clint Dickerson, Josh Wheeler, Nick Gaultney

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Nexus Quartet - 2004 Rocky Mountain District Champions in the Barbershop Harmony Society, 2005 and 2006 international competitor, and now ranked as one of the top quartets in the world, NeXus continues to grow in popularity. Presenting a wide variety of a cappella music, including Barbershop, Jazz, Contemporary, Gospel, and more, the group's entertaining shows are filled with great harmonies, ringing chords, a lot of smiles and more than a few laughs. Members: George Davidson, Ryan Wilson, Mike Davidson, Mark Zenk

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Plumbers of Rome - While serving as court musicians & crepe chefs for Charles VII in the 13th century (though not allowed to serve as Royal Plumbers since plumbing was at that time considered to be a form of witchcraft), the Plumbers of Rome invented a device to hurl food and concert T-shirts into the starving peasant section of the King's Concert Hall. Adapted for military use, and named the Trebuchet, this invention led the French army to many victories, as well adding to the festive atmosphere of Renaissance Festivals. While not remembered by name, they are honored in the traditional French carol "ballade de l'arme romaine aimée de plombier". Members: Michael Hanna, Peter Driscoll, Tim Y. Jones

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Vox Feminae is the University of Colorado at Denver‚s newest a cappella ensemble. This group of 8 women performs very dense, difficult harmonies in several different styles, including Latin, folk and pop, and is quickly proving the saying "Who needs a man, anyway". Watch for them to perform at the University of Colorado at Denver's Spring A Cappella concert. Members: Sabrina Zirakzadeh, Sarah Golay, Rachel Becker, Danielle Becerra, Kameshia Hazard, Jacque Legler, Genevieve Binder, Carli Dean

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2008 Judges (TBA)

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Individual Awards:

· The "Jerry Lawson" Best Soloist: This award will go to the singer whom the judges believe to have performed the best solo as part of a group's presentation.

· The "Deke Sharon" Best Original Arrangement: This award will recognize an arranger (group member or other) who the judges believe provides the best group arrangement. The song need not be original. No chart is required.

· The "Jeff Harris" Best Original Song: This award will recognize a composer (group member or other), who the judges believe provides the best original song performed by a competing group. No chart or lead sheet is required.

· The "Wes Carroll" Best Vocal Percussionist: This award will go to the group vocal percussionist who the judges feel has performed the best VP as part of a group's presentation (first year offered).

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Complete List of Denver Champions

Complete list of 2008 national participants

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Previous Denver results - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998

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

Please send tapes and photos to the regional director :

Rol Sharrette has been helping with the Denver Sweeps operation as state CASA Ambassador for the past five years. He's produced everything from stage musicals to concerts to vocal competitions, and he's been doing it for too long to admit. From starting a vocal group career on radio (when that was possible) that took him to New York network TV shows, to ten years of "studio singing" (yes, jingles) to producing first out-of-New York productions of "Music Man" and "Sound of Music" along with a dozen others in the '60s, and a stint as college special events and programs director, then to the political scene as Michigan's Deputy State Arts Council Director in the heat of '70s growth, and finally TV and interactive media producer for the J.Walter Thompson Agency. He's recently been producing a cappella and vocal jazz events for the Colorado Vocal Jazz Society, and has many national affiliations including fellow of the Recording Academy (Grammies). Two years ago Rol produced and directed the world premiere of a jazz theater show called "Suite William" at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. He reports, "great anticipation in my first chance to put together the great Rocky Mountain Sweeps!"

Please contact Rol Sharrette
303-413-8774
rjsharette (at) comcast.net

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