Every critic has secrets. Some played in Bob Seger cover bands. Others still like the Eagles’ “Hotel California.”
My secret, until now, was my a cappella history. I sang in choir throughout elementary and high school. But at Westminster High School, some friends and I created an a cappella group in the contemporary style of those performing at the Harmony Sweepstakes each year.
The Harmony Sweepstakes, an annual regional a cappella competition, was the highlight of our year. It was an opportunity to see the biggest acts, and it was our goal to perform on that stage. And after a number of opening gigs at Acappella’s and other bars, my teenage group — A Cappella, Inc. (groan, I know) — were invited to the sweepstakes.
I loved my time in a cappella, especially because it introduced me to Sarah Moss, the current producer of the 21st annual Rocky Mountain Regional Harmony Sweepstakes at Colorado Heights University Theater at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Q: What is your history with a cappella?A: With a California dad and Michigan mom, I grew up on the Beach Boys and Jackson 5, so I have an embarrassingly high appreciation for boy-band vocal harmony.
Q:What has kept you entranced for the last 15 years?A: I love the artistic creativity — there are both original a cappella songs and covers with innovative arrangements. People can make an amazing array of sounds with just their mouths. Contemporary a cappella isn’t traditional barbershop or doo-wop like on “Scrubs”; it’s rock, R&B, Top 40 and every genre you can imagine.
Q:How did you become involved with the sweepstakes?
A: I started attending the Rocky Mountain Regionals about 15 years ago as an A Cappella, Inc. groupie. I volunteered for the event in 2009, and I was asked to take the reins when the local producer retired.
Q:Who won the sweepstakes last year?A: The 2009 Rocky Mountain Regional Harmony Sweepstakes champion is a Colorado group called MouthBeats, and they will host/MC the 2010 show on Saturday. Most a cappella groups sing three- to seven-part harmonies with a little supporting vocal percussion (the drum-sounding parts). To contrast, MouthBeats is four-part all vocal percussion, rhythms and sound effects, doing beat boxing, Kanye West remixes and drum lines. They would be equally at home filling in for a DJ at The Church nightclub as they would be on any theater stage.
21st annual rocky mountain regional harmony sweepstakes.
A cappella competition. Colorado Heights University Theater, 3001 S. Federal Blvd., featuring Cool Shooz, Mountain Blue and others. Saturday. 7 p.m. $18-$30. 800-325-7328 or
