Dear Mid-Atlantic A Cappella Fans,

I hope everybody had a great Summer!

I wanted to provide a quick update on the Harmony Invitational and the Harmony Sweepstakes.

As I announced a few months ago, we set a date for the Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional 2011.  The show will be held on April 2, 2011 at The Birchmere Music Hall.  Ticket prices have gone...drum roll please...DOWN from $35 to $29.50, which I am just delighted about.

If you are interested in auditionining, feel free to shoot me a note now, but note that we don't start accepting entries until after Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, due to venue issues and scheduling difficulties, we will not be producing the Harmony Invitational this year.  We will try again for next fall.

Best regards,
Ted Donat
Regional Director, Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional
Executive Producer, Harmony Invitational

Supreme Chord, a DC-based a cappella group, is seeking tenors, basses and vocal
percussionists to complete our
growing group.

Our repertoire includes alternative, pop, and R&B music, and is always
expanding.

Auditions will begin September 19, on a rolling basis through October. Auditions
will be held on Sunday evenings in Chevy Chase.

Please contact us at supremechord@... for questions and to schedule an
audition.

BASIX & CARTOON JOHNNY
Monday, October 25 · 7:30pm
Reston Community Center
2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA

Tickets: $15, $10 for children/students

Advance Ticketing: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/957707529 
Also available at the door, while they last!

Supreme Chord, a DC-based a cappella group, is seeking tenors, basses and vocal
percussionists to complete our
growing group.

Our repertoire includes alternative, pop, and R&B music, and is always
expanding.

Auditions will continue through November. Auditions will be held on Sunday
evenings in Chevy Chase.

Please contact us at supremechord@... for questions and to schedule an
audition.

Thanks!

Voices of Gotham Barbershop Chorus Presents:

"Under the Mistletoe," a holiday concert


Join Voices of Gotham Barbershop Chorus for their winter holiday concert,
including a-cappella renditions of traditional barbershop, along with pop, jazz,
Broadway and holiday favorites.

Special guests include award winning vocal quartet 'Round Midnight, acoustic
folk band Astoria Boulevard, women's a cappella group The Jingle Belles, along
with barbershop quartets Flat Iron Four , Up All Night , Who's On Seventh and
more!

When:

Saturday, December 4th at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM

Where:

Peter Norton Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia.

    2537 Broadway at 95th Street (1/2/3 to 96th Street)

Ticket info:

     $20 in advance / $35 day-of-show

For more information or to buy tickets - please visit:

     http://voicesofgotham.org/show.htm

COGNITIVE RESONANCE (http:\\CognitiveResonanceACappella.com), a Raleigh-based
mixed contemporary a cappella ensemble is AUDITIONING NOW!

Auditions will start on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, and continue through the first few
weeks of the new year.  Don't miss out on your chance to be a part of the newest
vocal sensation to hit the Triangle!  Drawing from a range of genres, we will
perform all over the Triangle area, travel for special shows, and plan to
regularly record our own albums.  We are also official members of the
Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA.org) and the Contemporary A
Cappella League (CAL,) and will be participating in their regional and national
events and competitions.

All voice parts and vocal percussion are welcome to audition.  We are looking
for people who are:
-flexible on voice parts and capable of ensemble blending
-comfortable singing vocal solos and not afraid to perform on stage
-able to learn new music quickly (sight-reading is a plus!)
-ready for a serious commitment and dedicated to rehearsing regularly and
practicing on their own time
-willing to travel occasionally to regional/national events

You can schedule an audition via the form on our website:
http://CognitiveResonanceACappella.com or send an email to
info@....  Again, the first round of auditions will
be held the evening of THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, in North Raleigh. If you are
interested in scheduling an audition, please visit the website as soon as
possible.

Dear Mid-Atlantic Area A Cappella Performers, Fans and Supporters,

I hope everybody is enjoying the holidays with friends and family, and maybe a little a cappella music, courtesy of NBC's Sing-Off!

It's time to start gearing up for the Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional 2011! 

Here are the details on the show:

Date: Saturday, April 2^nd, 2011

Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5)

Hosts:  Last Year's Regional Champs West Side 5 

Location:
The Birchmere Music Hall
3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA  22305
https://www.birchmere.com

Ticket Price: $29.50 (plus Ticketmaster fees)

Tickets:  Stay tuned for an update 

Entry Information:  If you are interested in auditioning, read to the end of this message.  If you already dropped me a note about auditioning, I probably have it in my inbox, but shoot me a reminder just in case.

We look forward to another fantastic show!

Best regards,
Ted Donat
Regional Director
Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional

********************************************************

Entry Information

Entry Deadline: January 31^st, 2011

Rules: You must be a group of between 3 and 8 members to be eligible. You do not need to be from the Mid-Atlantic area!  I get my share of grief over this point from the fans, but them's the rules.  (Please go to http://www.harmony-sweepstakes.com/rules.html for a comprehensive list of rules.)

To enter, follow these steps:
(1) Go to http://www.harmony-sweepstakes.com/enter.html and follow the instructions.
(2) Send me a music sample or a link to a video or other streaming media.  You can email media to tdonat[remove this part from the address, which keeps the spammers away]@gmail.com.
(3) If you are selected to compete, I will ask you for two 8x10 photos.  If you don't have a photo of your group, you may want to start getting one together.

That's all!

• Date: Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
• Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5)
• Hosts:  Last Year's Regional Champs West Side 5
• Location:

The Birchmere Music Hall

3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue

Alexandria, VA  22305

https://www.birchmere.com

• Ticket Price: $29.50 (plus Ticketmaster fees)

********************************************************

All,
 
We are extending the deadline to enter the Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional two weeks to February 15^th.
 
See below for information on the show and how to enter.
 
Please shoot me a note if you plan on throwing your hat in the ring!
 
Best regards,
Ted Donat
Regional Director
Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional
 
-----------------------------------
 
The Show:

Date: Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5)
Hosts:  Last Year's Regional Champs West Side 5
Location:
The Birchmere Music Hall
3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA  22305
https://www.birchmere.com
Tickets: $29.50 (plus Ticketmaster fees) - Click here:  http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Harmony+Sweepstakes

------------------

Entry Information:
 
Entry Deadline: February 15th, 2011
 
Rules: You must be a group of between 3 and 8 members to be eligible. You do not need to be from the Mid-Atlantic area!  I get my share of grief over this point from the fans, but them's the rules.  (Please go to http://www.harmony-sweepstakes.com/rules.html for a comprehensive list of rules.)
 
To enter, follow these steps:
(1) Go to http://www.harmony-sweepstakes.com/enter.html and follow the instructions.
(2) Send me a music sample or a link to a video or other streaming media.  You can email media to tdonat[remove this part from the address, which keeps the spammers away]@gmail.com.
(3) If you are selected to compete, I will ask you for two 8x10 photos.  If you don't have a photo of your group, you may want to start getting one together.

OPEN HOUSE, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28th AT 7 PM

We are excited to announce the creation of a new men's chorus, the Jersey
Harmony Express.  The ensemble will be a premiere men's a cappella chorus based
in the Bridgewater, New Jersey area, the junction of many major New Jersey
routes.  We are embarking on a magical musical journey, steeped in the tradition
of the American barbershop style yet featuring an expanding repertoire to
include a selection of challenging contemporary works.  The Express is committed
to captivating audiences with thrilling performances and difficult pieces while
providing an enjoyable environment for its members.

The group will be holding an Open House on Monday, February 28th, at 7:00 at the
Arbor Glen Retirement Community in the Community Center, located at 100 Monroe
Street, Bridgewater, NJ.  If directions are needed, Arbor Glen has information
at www.arborglen.org/directions.php and they can be reached at (908) 595-6600.

At the Open House you will experience such arrangements as Engebretson's eight
part "Scarborough Fair" and Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque", famously performed by the
Westminster Chorus in the Choir of the World competition and their most recent
CD, "It Only Takes A Moment".  Auditions for the ensemble will take place in
March.  Those interested in auditioning will have the opportunity to purchase
the sheet music and professional learning tracks to these two amazing works at
the Open House.  Your purchase will be credited to member dues should you become
a member of the ensemble.

Jersey Harmony Express rehearsals will be held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the
month from 7:00-9:00 PM as well as the first Saturday morning from 9:00 AM to
noon. The group welcomes all to attend the open house.

The Jersey Harmony Express will be guiding the future of a cappella music and
welcomes experienced singers to get on board what should truly be a one of a
kind ride.  Prior a cappella or barbershop singing will not be required but a
dedication to excellent singing and performance is a must. If interested, please
RSVP to the chorus at jhxchorus@.... For additional information, send us
an email or contact Win Winter at (908) 755-1089 or Christian Hunter at (908)
806-7122.

Dear Harmony Sweepstakes Fans,
 
We are delighted to announce the lineup for the 2011 Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional!  Competition was very tight this year, and we have a lot of fresh new faces!

Tickets are on sale at  http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Harmony Sweepstakes

Returning to host this year from NYC are last year's champs West Side 5 (http://westsidefive.tumblr.com), a fabulous jazz quintet returning to wow our fans by doing that voodoo that they do so well!

Here is our stellar lineup for this year:

The Agency, from Washington, DC
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Agency/205309119484214

Da Capo, from Washington, DC
http://www.dcsingers.com
http://www.facebook.com/dcsingers

DoubleShot! from Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.myspace.com/doubleshotonmyspace
http://double-shot.net/

4 The Record, from Sandusky, OH
http://4therecordmusic.com

Harmonization Without Representation, from Washington, DC,
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harmonization-Without-Representation/55557962256

Justus, from Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/4real-Acapella/112710992097708

The Lake Effect, from Seneca, NY
http://www.tlewny.com

Loose Interpretations, from NYC
http://www.facebook.com/looseinterpretationsnyc?v=app_2344061033

Here are the particulars on the show:

·        Date:  Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

·        Time:  7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5)

·        Location:  The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22305, www.birchmere.com

·        Ticket Price: $29.50 plus Ticketmaster fees
http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Harmony Sweepstakes

Get your tickets early! 

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=149345111793128

We look forward to another fantastic show! 

Thanks as always for your support!
 
Best regards,
Ted Donat
Regional Director
Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional
and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Production Team

Dear Friends,
 
Believe it or not, we are only two weeks away from the 2011 Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional! 

Don't be the only one left without a ticket!  Go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Harmony Sweepstakes or stop by The Birchmere Box Office any night there is a show!

Returning to host this year from NYC are last year's champs West Side 5 (http://westsidefive.tumblr.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/westside5)

We are excited about our diverse and talented group of competitors.  We had one competitive group drop out (The Lake Effect), but the rest of the lineup remains the same:

·        The Agency, Washington, DC (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Agency/205309119484214)
·        Da Capo, Washington, DC (http://www.dcsingers.com/ or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dcsingers)
·        DoubleShot!, Pittsburgh, PA (http://www.double-shot.net or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/doubleshotvocal)
·        4 The Record, Upper Sandusky, OH (http://4therecordmusic.com/, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/4therecord)
·        Harmonization Without Representation, Washington, DC (http://www.facebook.com/looseinterpretationsnyc#!/pages/Harmonization-Without-Representation/55557962256)
·        Justus, Pittsburgh, PA (http://justus-music.webs.com/ or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justus/162587390459614)
·        Loose Interpretations, New York, NY (http://www.facebook.com/looseinterpretationsnyc)

Here are the details on the show:
·        Date:  Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
·        Time:  7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5)
·        Location:  The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22305, www.birchmere.com
·        Ticket Price: $29.50 plus Ticketmaster fees
http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Harmony Sweepstakes

Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=132044526866176

We look forward to another fantastic show! 

Thanks as always for your support!
 
Best regards,
Ted Donat
Regional Director
Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional
and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Production Team

Dear A Cappella Fans and Friends,
 
At this time next week, we should be wrapping up the first half of the 2011 Harmony Sweepstakes Mid-Atlantic Regional, and we don't want you to be stuck at home, wishing you were at the legendary Birchmere in Alexandria, VA hearing some of the best a cappella in the country! 

And here's another reason to grab your ticket early:  the show is being featured in The Washington Post Express next week, and we expect a lot of walk-ups as a result, so please don't leave it till the last minute!

Go *right now* to http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Harmony Sweepstakes or stop by The Birchmere Box Office any night there is a show to get a ticket!

Here's our all-star lineup:

A very long time ago (seems like), a group of Cornell alums met to sing and never stopped.  Either due to intoxicating harmonies, insatiable silliness, or inertia, they eventually called themselves the Tone Rangers and laid siege to the Harmony Sweepstakes, King Street Blues, Jammin' Java, and many other venues.  

Fresh off their 4th consecutive Wammie for best a cappella group in the DC area, the Tone Rangers are excited to kick off their 25th year of existence with a Stampede!  Join them at The Holton-Arms School with their special guests, the Cornell University Hangovers (the group from whence the Rangers evolved).  This event will be a fundraiser for the Cornell Club of Washington Scholarship Fund and will include the WORLD PREMIERE of a historical documentary:  Tone Rangers:  the first 10,000 years.*

Get on the Tone Rangers mailing list and/or buy tickets today by visiting www.tonerangers.com.  

Date:  Saturday, April 9, 7:30 pm

Location:  The Holton-Arms School, 7303 River Road, Bethesda

 * documentary lasts 3 minutes

Here's an article in Express Night Out about the upcoming Mid-Atlantic Harmony
Sweepstakes Festival:-

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/03/mid-atlantic-sweepstakes-a-capell\
a-festival-birchmere.php

John Neal

Dear A Cappella Friends and Fans,

I'm coming out of retirement just long enough to let you know about a fabulous night of a cappella that you should not miss! 

Come see legendary a cappella group Rockapella with special guests and DC faves Cartoon Johnny at our beloved Birchmere on May 5^th!

Details below.

Hope to see you there!

Best,
Ted Donat

---------------------------

ROCKAPELLA IS BACK WITH A "BANG"!

America's Leading A Cappella Group to
Perform at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, VA on May 5, 2011
 
Rockapella is back with a "Bang"!  With the celebration of their long-awaited new studio album titled, "Bang," this awe-inspiring quintet of vocal talent returns to the Birchmere Music Hall on Thursday, May 5, 2011. If you've missed their concert in the past, DON'T MISS IT THIS YEAR!  With new songs, new staging and new surprises, this is the show not to miss.

The world's most loved five-man contemporary pop vocal phenomenon known for their astonishing live performances and their 5-year stint as the house band on the PBS hit kids game show, "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?", delivers a breathtaking album that stays true to the group's roots, melding soul, rock, rhythm and blues together to form their trademark style of contemporary pop music. "Bang!" It's startling…exhilarating…impossible to ignore. It features 12 all-original tracks (at least one written by each band member), plus a bonus track cover of Vampire Weekend's, "A-Punk."  

The little miracle that keeps the crowds coming back year after year and constantly drawing new fans is Rockapella's astounding full-band sound that seems to be impossibly coming from just five guys with microphones. No instruments, no tracks, no mirrors – and their hands never leave their wrists. "We're making every bit as much music as the whole `Glee' chorus – but with only 5 guys," says Rockapella's human beat-box Jeff Thacher.

"We make it rock and make it interesting," explains Scott Leonard, the group's chief songwriter, arranger and architect of their evolving dynamic sound. USA Today summed up the lasting appeal like this, "The best musical instrument of all is the human voice – if you've seen Rockapella you know that's the truth."

WHO:      Rockapella (www.Rockapella.com)   
WHAT:    An Intimate Evening with Rockapella with Cartoon Johnny!
WHEN:  Wednesday, May 5, 2011, 7:30pm.   
WHERE:  The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305
TICKETS:  At Ticketmaster.com or call (800)745-3000. Tix also available at Birchmere Box Office, from 5-9pm, any night we have a show.

"Bang" can be purchased through Rockapella.com via digital download, physical CDs and even a Deluxe Package which includes two Live Bonus tracks and a microphone shaped memory stick with the album preloaded onto it.

Recently, Rockapella released the first ever a cappella track on the Rock Band Network with the title track from their new album, Bang.  Rockapella's Jeff Thacher on the track's inclusion - "Many of our fans are probably saying to themselves "Of course!" We're utterly excited to be on Rock Band... I think it's definitely one of the coolest moments in Rockapella's history!"


About Rockapella
The group was formed for the sheer love of performing; singing on New York City street corners with a hat out at their feet. They caught the eye of a producer putting together a television special titled "Do It A Cappella," hosted by filmmaker Spike Lee. This in turn led to a daily appearance on "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?"  Since then, Rockapella has become an international sensation, touring throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea.   Rockapella has released 20 albums over the last 20 years, with their most recent being Bang.

After sold-out national tours year after year, including sold-out performances with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra, Rockapella guarantees each of their concerts will deliver an unrivaled and joyful musical performance that cannot be found anywhere else. 

All of Rockapella's members are accomplished musicians.  Super-bass George Baldi was formerly a member of the band that later became Boyz 2 Men; Steven Dorian comes to Rockapella straight from the world famous stages of Disney, having played many major roles in Disney productions, including Disney's Festival of the Lion King.  Scott Leonard leads the group musically, shaping Rockapella's characteristic sound by writing, arranging and producing most of the group's material. John Brown has performed across the country, on- and off-Broadway, and has shared stages with greats such as Phil Collins, Tina Turner, and Julie Andrews. Rockapella boasts the jaw-dropping, unique, and powerful talents of Jeff Thacher, a pioneer and leader in the mouth percussion world, who anchors the group's instrument-less sound.
 
For more information on Rockapella, tour dates and ticket sales, visit www.ROCKAPELLA.com.

About Cartoon Johnny

Cartoon Johnny is an energetic vocal band that pushes the limits of traditional a cappella. Drawing on influences from classic soul to modern alternative, they've crafted an exciting sound that is often mistaken for an instrumental band - but it's all vocal.

Based in the Washington DC area, Cartoon Johnny performs a variety of sure-fire audience favorites and their own original music, bringing audiences to their feet show after show. They are two-time National Harmony Sweepstakes finalsists, winning the title for the Mid-Atlantic Region in 2005, and in New York in 2009.

Cartoon Johnny has shared the stage with some of the best in a cappella and beyond. Highlights include headlining ACappellaFest Detroit in 2010, and performing with Marvin Hamlisch in his Christmas special at the Kennedy Center in 2008. Hamlisch invited the group to join him for his July 4th concerts in San Diego in 2009.

For more information on Cartoon Johnny, visit www.cartoonjohnny.com.

As unfamiliar as barbershop quartet singing is to the general public, the way it was arranged and performed in its heyday, during the dawn of mechanical recording (about 1895 to 1923) just prior to the Jazz Age, is even less frequently heard or appreciated even among today's modern barbershop society aficionados.

Saturday May 14th (at 2pm) in Queens, NY, will be a rare opportunity to hear it performed live (and accompanied). as it actually was.  This is a chance to discover and enjoy the vitality and artistry that made it the popular music of choice used to launched the record industry.

FREE concert  info at:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202065713167407 

St. Michael's Cemetery, in East Elmhurst, will pay tribute to Scott Joplin (interred in St.Michal's) with a FREE concert featuring the Victrolian Vaudeville Quartette, accompanied by renowned jazzman, traditional jazz authority, recording artist and bandleader Dan Levinson  & his Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra. Works will include music by Scott Joplin (who arranged for his own Quartet and the Opera Treemonisha) and other vernacular composers.

The Victrolian Vaudeville Quartet: Scott Brannon, Lead, Paul Santino, Bass, Neal Siegal, Bariotne, Bob Kelly, Tenor 

Dan Levinson, C-melody saxophone/clarinet, Matt Szemela, violin,  Harvey Tibbs, trombone, Conal Fowkes, piano, John Gill, banjo , vocals, Kevin Dorn, drums, Molly Ryan Vocals