Tag: Sounds of the Seacoast

A Cappella Showcase Takes Gold

After one of the most ambitious chorus contests in 60 years of  Harmony, Incorporated, A Cappella Showcase, representing Area 5, won gold with a score of 1507 – 83.7% (1507), just 2 points shy of the highest score of all time, earned by Village Vocal Chords in 2005.

The group started their set with the iconic song from Les Misérables, “On My Own,” so moving you could hear a pin drop in the packed auditorium. The mood changed to boisterous as they started “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes,” complete with choreography that brought on an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience. As is customary for the winning chorus, director Jordan Travis was given the Skidge Heath Memorial Award.

Silver medalists, Northern Blend also exceed all other previous chorus scores earning 1500 points – an 83.3%, making this the first chorus contest to see two choruses exceed 83%. The Blenders put up two widely loved songs, “Pure Imagination” and “I Got Rhythm,” performed with an elevated level of zest that we’ve come to expect from this top-level ensemble. The audience even got to see a couple of cartwheels, which only visually emphasized the energy we got from their performance.

The remaining medalists also put forth the gold standard.with a 78.5% from Sounds of the Seacoast, a 78.4% by the Village Vocal Chords, and first time medalists, Atlanta Harmony Celebration! earning a 76.1%. Atlanta Harmony Celebration! also took home the Montreal City Voices Tait Trophy for Chorus Improvement Score by Ranking. The group moved from 11th place in 2018 to 5th in 2019. The record setting scores continued on down the line, with numerous choruses hitting their best scores ever.

Additional awards included the LABBS Trophy: Non-Medalist Highest Performance Score which went to 7th place chorus, Bella Nova, and the G. Ruth Geils Memorial Award: Highest Scoring Chorus with the Least Number of Appearances on the Contest Stage for 6th place finisher Lake Ridge Legacy Chorus. Bluegrass Harmony was recognized with two awards –  the MacIntosh Award for Highest Ranking Non-Medalist Small Chorus (25 or less) and the Jerry Dunlop Memorial Award given to Kris Wheaton, the Novice Director Highest Score in Chorus Contest.

 

Gold for New England Voices In Harmony and Aged To Perfection

In two very hotly contested finals, Harmony, Incorporated now has a new champion chorus and four new Harmony Queens.

On Friday, New England Voices in Harmony of Nashua, New Hampshire topped the field with a 79.7%. The group performed a special Disney themed set in a risky director-less set, but proving that Director Renee Tramack had prepared them well, they sang “That’s How You Know” from Enchanted and “I See the Light” from Tangled in gorgeous jewel-tone gowns.

New England Voices in Harmony - 2018 Gold Medal Chorus
New England Voices in Harmony – 2018 Gold Medal Chorus

The Village Vocal Chords, under the direction of the legendary Jeanne O’Connor, took second place for the second time with a score of 78.9%. Jordan Travis and A Cappella Showcase from Milton, Ontario finished in third with 78.4%. Limestone City Voices and Sounds of the Seacoast round out the medals in fourth and fifth, respectively.

See the full scores for the Chorus Finals.

The contests came to a close on Saturday afternoon with the Quartet Finals that ended with Aged To Perfection winning the crown. This team of two mothers and daughters scored an incredible 80.7%, edging out T4 who finished with an 80.0%.

Aged To Perfection - 2018 Harmony Queens
Aged To Perfection – 2018 Harmony Queens

Alexa Beal, Gaye LaCasce, Kathy Pomer, and Ellie Pomer are now a long distance quartet and all first time queens. Scoring 1441 in the Semi-Final round with a phenomenal rendition of “Blues in the Night” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” Aged To Perfection raised the bar in the Finals with a total score of 1463 singing a solemn “Cry Me A River” and a lively, and genuinely adorable uptune in “Together, Wherever We Go.”

Rounding out the medals were Area 3’s Lip Service finishing third with 76.0%, Area 2’s Balancing Act in fourth with 75.2%, and Tonic! in fifth with 73.8%. Tonic! was also honored with the Image in Harmony Award and the Accord Award.

See the fulls scores from the Quartet Finals.

The IC&C closed out with a Showcase of Champions to a room full of Harmony Sisters (and a T-Rex), marking the end of Christina Lewellen’s two-year term as International President. The gavel was turned over to Donna McKay, who will push forward with the new initiative, “Harmony. Stronger.”