Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is an annual showcase and competition for a cappella groups of all vocal styles. The competition is organized into eight regional events across the United States, with each winning group advancing to the National Finals in San Rafael, California.

Festival history

The festival began in 1984 at a neighborhood pub in Marin County as a small and informal contest between friends. It is now a national competition, with eight regional events held in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Olympia (Pacific Northwest), San Francisco (Bay Area), and Washington, DC (Mid-Atlantic). The National Finals take place each May at the Marin Veteran's Auditorium in San Rafael.

The Harmony Sweepstakes has also established an annual A Cappella Summit, a two-day jamboree and convention for enthusiasts of contemporary a cappella. The Summit consists of workshops, performances, demonstrations, and seminars, along with vendors offering goods and services for the a cappella community.