Counterpoint Podcast Episode 11 is here! Tonight Deke Sharon and Robert Dietz chat with Danielle Withers.
She first caught the aca-spotlight with her appearance on The Sing Off with Afro Blue (later touring as Traces of Blue) and now tours the world with some of the biggest names in music.
Broadcast starts at 5 pm Pacific and will re-air on Sunday at 7 am/pm Pacific.
The Sweet Adelines International Finals for both quartets and choruses certainly ended the convention week on a high note.
The women’s barbershop organization crowned their newest Queens of Harmony in Viva! who earned a final score of 2862. This quartet features 2013 Queen of Harmony Patty Cobb Baker on tenor, 2013 Queen of Harmony and three-time silver medalist Gina Baker on lead, longtime audience favorite and frequent top ten finisher Chris DeRosa (yes, Tony’s sister) on baritone, and 2016 Queen of Harmony Peggy Jones on bass.
Earning second place was longtime crowd favorites, Titanium, who had everyone wanting Insta-bangs of their very own! Just 2 points short of 1st place with a 2860, they are certainly favorites going into 2020.
Third place went to the darlings of Sweet Adelines, GQ, with their slightly humorous set about love and relationships, which earned them the highest Showmanship scores of the night and a total score of 2758.
Tenacious took 4th place with a score of 2701 and The Ladies moved into 5th place at 2647. See the full results here or watch all of the sets here.
On Saturday night the spotlight turned on the chorus finals with Sweden’s Rönninge Show Choir taking top honors for the third time, with an incredible journey through Swedish music, including a pretty extensive look at discography of Max Martin. Their final score topped the field by over 100 points at 3061.
Lions Gate Chorus out of Vancouver took 2nd place with a total score of 2945 and an introduction of the “fairygoldmother.”
And out of Northbrook, Illinois, the 2015 International Champions, the Melodeers, started their set out dancing, visited with some of the most iconic songs of all time, and ended with the 3rd place medals.
Check out the full finals results or watch the top ten sets.
The 2019 International Contest for Sweet Adelines is well underway with the Harmony Classic Divisions A and AA and the Quartet Semifinals in the rear view mirror.
After an exciting night highlighting the smaller choruses of the organization, Millenium Magic Chorus, a chorus that uniquely uses no front line director, took first place in Division A. Under the direction of 2014 Queen of Harmony Caitlin Castelino, Diablo Vista Chorus won Division AA.
Millennium Magic Chorus (North Atlantic Region 1, Manchester, CT)
Overall Score: 1271
Under the direction of 2014 Queen of Harmony Caitlin Castelino, Diablo Vista Chorus won Division AA.
Diablo Vista Chorus (Pacific Shores Region 12, Walnut Creek, CA)
Overall Score: 1311
The quartet semifinals were a long day of incredible music from 44 quartets crossing the stage at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, with the top ten moving on to the Finals on Friday. Tune into the Sweet Adelines Webcast at 11:30 am Central to watch what is sure to be a nail-biting finish. Don’t believe us? Check out their stunning semifinal performances:
Viva!
The Ladies
GQ
Ambush
Tenacious
VOCE
TITANIUM
Renegade
Fortuity
Milli Blink
Plus a mic test from 11th place finisher Lucille and a swan song from 2018 Queens of Harmony, ClassRing.
And while they may have finished 33rd, perhaps the most talked about quartet was comedy Wildcard, Don’t Call Me Shirley. Tune in – we promise you’ll laugh. A lot.
We’ve got a few great songs lined up this week. Are you ready for some new music?
Nothing short of breath taking the Disney a cappella group came in strong with their version of “Speechless” from the new live action Aladdin film, arranged by Deke Sharon.
Also, is there a winner for best smoulder? Morgan Keene wins hands down.
Comedy and parody done well in this rather realistic story of the college all-nighter. Almost makes us miss college. Almost.
Don’t worry – the piano is just in the pre-show. Enjoy the latest mashup from this up and coming BYU group.
Utilizing the beautiful Rockies as a backdrop for Foy Vance’s “Make It Rain.”
