Subject: A-Cappella Music FAQ, Part 3/6
Date: 10 Sep 1995 22:51:22 GMT
Summary: Information About A Cappella (unaccompianed vocal music)
URL: http://www.best.com/~casa/FAQ1.html
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The rec.music.a-cappella & alt.music.a-cappella Frequently Asked Questions
Part Three: A Cappella Albums, Arrangements, Workshops, Competitions
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Questions answered in part 3:

Q. Where can I purchase a cappella albums?

Q: How can I obtain a cappella arrangements?

Q. Where do I go to get a song custom arranged for my group?

Q. Where can I get one of those electronic pitchpipes?

Q. Are there any a cappella conferences or workshops? 

Q. Are there any a cappella competitions?
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Q. Where can I purchase a cappella albums?

     * Primarily A Cappella *
     The major source for a cappella recordings is the Primarily A
Cappella Catalog, which was founded by Don Gooding in New Jersey, and is
now based in California in the same location as the Harmony Sweepstakes.
New catalogues featuring the latest releases and the best selling albums
are sent out several times a year. They also have an online buyers club,
and offer special discounts to people who order albums via email. Call,
write, or email for a free catalog.

          Primarily A Cappella
          PO Box D
          San Anselmo, CA, 94979
          Phone: (415) 455-8602
          Fax: (415) 459-1622
          Email: harmonys@netcom.com
          Web: http://www.accel.com./pac/index.htm

     Keep an eye on the a cappella newsgroups as well for information
about new album releases, and a top-ten list each month of the best
selling a cappella albums.

     * DJ Records *
     DJ Records is the official album distributor for all King's Singers
recordings in the US, and they also carry a number of choral recordings,
scholastic choral recordings, and other materials that would be of
interest to choral organizations. Contact them for a free catalogue.
     
          DJ Records
          Doug Anderson
          PO Box 95
          McMinnville, OR 97128
          Phone: (503) 472-6971

     * Hall of Records *
     The largest mail order catalogue of Barbershop and Sweet Adeline
recordings in the world. They will send out a catalogue for $5 ($7.50 for
Canada and Europe).
     
          Hall of Records
          Dan Jordan
          PO Box 11244
          Glendale, CA 91206-7244
          Phone: (818) 240-4868

Q: How can I obtain a cappella arrangements?

     As far as sheet music goes, your best bet is to contact CASA or
SPEBSQSA (addresses in FAQ #1). They both have an extensive variety of
free and inexpensive arrangements (approx. 1,000 each). Contact either
organization for a catalog of available arrangements.

     Other options include:

     * Hal Leonard Publishing *
     They publish an astounding number of choral arrangements each year,
and luckily a decent percentage of them are a cappella. Be sure to check
to see that the titles you're ordering are a cappella.

          Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
          7777 West Bluemound Road
          PO Box 13819
          Milwaukee WI 53213
          Phone: (414) 774-3630

     Paul Bartholomew (pdb059@ipl.jpl.nasa.gov) has typed out a list of
all the titles listed as a cappella in their catalogue. The list is posted
to the newsgroup periodically, and is kept at the princeton.edu archive
(see Part Three) as:

          pub/rec.music.a-cappella/info/Hal.Leonard.list

     Here's one hint: a great book of King's Singers Arrangements:

          The King's Singers
          25th Anniversary Jubilee!
          Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
          HL08602135
          ISBN 0-7935-2135-1
          US $12.95

     Contents: I'm a Train, You Are the New Day, Can't Buy Me Love, Short
People, Le Baylere, Musik der Nacht (Schlummerlied), Greensleeves, Loch
Lommond, Eriskay Love Lilt, That Lonesome Road, And So It Goes,
Shenandoah. (Note: the songs have been re-arranged for SATB.)

     * Voices Music Publishing *
     They publish the CASA Contemporary A Cappella Songbook Volume 1 as
well as a wide variety of pop, Christian, and contemporary Christian a
cappella sheet music. Most are simple SATB format.

          Voices Music Publishing
          Chuck Munoz
          PO Box 8178
          Tyler, TX 75711-8178
          Phone: (903) 597-3622

     Song List for the CASA Songbook: Good Old A Cappella, Under The
Boardwalk, In The Still of the Night, Only You, Zombie Jamboree,
Silhouettes, Longest Time, Up On The Roof, Kiss Him Goodbye, Goodnight
Sweetheart. (These arrangements are based on the most popular a cappella
versions of these songs, and are arranged in SATB format that's easy to
adapt to TTBB or SSAA.)

     * A Cappella Junction *
     They inventory consists almost entirely of Christian music, and they
have a wide variety of materials for singing groups as well as
arrangements (including cassettes, CD's, choral octavos, videos, song
books, t-shirts, tote bags, research reports, children's music, caps,
etc.). Write for a free catalog.
          
          A Cappella Junction
          PO Box 48464
          Fort Worth, TX 76148

     * Columbia Pictures Publishing *
     Another publisher that has some a cappella arrangements.

          Columbia Pictures Publishing
          PO Box 4340
          Hialeah, FL 33014
          Phone: (305) 620-1500

     * Ken Purchase * 
     Ken will email or regular mail a list of arrangements to anyone
interested. He has men's, women's and mixed music, and sends it out for
either a small copying fee or a trade:

          Ken Purchase
          705 E Colorado #207
          Urbana, IL 61801-6372
          Email: k-purchase@uiuc.edu

     * Penders Music Company *
     They have access to a number of published a cappella arrangements in
a variety of styles. Give 'em a call at:
     Local: (405) 722-3303
     Nat'l WATS: (800) 772-5918
     Toll Free Fax: (800) 772-8405
     Local Fax: (405) 722-6353

     * Other Resources *
     Max Ziff (ziff@cs.uchicago.edu) posts "Basic Collections for A
Cappella Singing" to the rec.music.early, rec.music.classical.performing
and rec.music.a-cappella newsgroups periodically - this lists sources for
madrigals, motets, chansons, etc. around the world.

     Ruth Cross posted information about a book published by Hampton
Institute Press called "Religious Folk-Songs of the Negro", edited by R.
Nathaniel Dett. It is available from:

          University Store
          Hampton University
          Hampton, Virginia 23668

     "The book is a hymnal-size hard-cover, containing over 200 spirituals
collected in the late 1800's at the Hampton Institute, one of the first
colleges for former slaves. The songs were transcribed as sung by the
students, with some harmonies added, and are meant to be sung a cappella.
Almost all are 4-part, often with solo parts; some are solo/tutti. The
current book is a reprint of the 1927 edition, edited by Nathaniel Dett,
and includes a new introduction with a history of the music, and copies of
prefaces from the previous editions.

Q. Where do I go to get a song custom arranged for my group?

     * UAAS *
     The Ultimate A Cappella Arranging Service is staffed by professional
arrangers experienced in creating custom tailored a cappella arrangements
for groups of any size, composition or style. 

          UAAS
          1850 Union Street, Suite 1441
          San Francisco, CA  94123
          Phone: (415) 563-5224
          Fax: (415) 921-2834
          Email: casa@casa.org
          Web: http://www.casa.org/uaas_info

     CASA members receive a 33% discount.

     * Zach Nelson's Arranging Service *
     Zach - I know you're doing custom arranging now - please send us info
so that we can include it.

Q. Where can I get one of those electronic pitchpipes?

     The Franz Quartz Pitchpipe is a small black electronic device, about
the size of a wallet, that can generate over 2 octaves worth of pitches.
They're useful if you want more than one person in your group to be able
to get the pitch (standard pitchpipes vary in tuning quite a bit), or if
you're sick of lint getting stuck in your pitchpipe's reeds.

          Franz Manufacturing
          240 Sargent Dr.
          New Haven, CT 06511
          Phone: (800) THE BEAT

Q. Are there any a cappella conferences or workshops? 

     Yes, several organizations and groups do.

     *A Cappella Summit *
     Held semi-annually (In October on the West Coast and in April on the
East Coast), the A Cappella Summit is a weekend of concerts, workshops,
master classes, seminars and sing-alongs that is co-sponsored by CASA, the
Harmony Sweepstakes, and Primarily A Cappella. For more information about
the next summit, contact:

          John Neal
          PO Box D
          San Rafael, CA 94979
          Phone: (415) 455-8602
          Email: harmonys@netcom.com

     * Phil Mattson * 
     Phil Mattson (of the Phil Mattson Singers) has set up a school for
vocal jazz and arranging that offers summer workshops.

          Phil Mattson
          Southwestern Community College
          1501 West Townline Road
          Creston, IA 50801
          Phone: (515) 782-7081

     You can also attend the school full time (fall-spring) and receive a
certificate in a variety of different vocal and a cappella related topics

     * Steve Zegree *
     Steve arranges vocal jazz music for Hal Leonard and other publishers,
and offers week-long summer workshops on vocal jazz singing and education.

          Steve Zegree
          School of Music
          Western Michigan University
          Kalamazoo, MI 49008
          Phone: (616) 387-4689
          School: (616) 387-4667

     * Western Wind *
     Western Wind, an a cappella group based in New York City, runs
workshops several times a year.  You can enroll as a group.  You get
coaching for your group by real experts, and a chance to prepare and
perform several works (with the rest of the attendees as audience).  The
summer workshops are typically a week, and perhaps they've done some that
are just a long weekend during the school year. It is also (or at least
was) possible to arrange a private coaching session with them. Their
performing repertoire spans just about everything - renaissance, folk,
jazz, etc. They announce their concerts, recordings, workshops, etc., in a
sporadic but free newsletter: call 1-800-788-2187.

          Western Wind
          263 West 86th St.
          NY, NY 10024
          Phone: (212) 873-2848

     * The A Cappella Company *
     Keith Lancaster, Acappella and AVB host the annual Acappella
Christian Music Seminar (ACMS) in July in Murray KY on the campus of the
state university.  It is a week long (Sunday through Friday night) series
of workshops and concerts capped by Acappella's and AVB's annual
homecoming concert on Friday night. (Murray KY is about 30 miles from
their homebase in Paris, TN.) There is choir, men's voice and women's
voice training. The choir this past summer got to open the Friday night
concert as well as sing for a convalescent hospital earlier in the day. 

          The Acappella Company
          PO Box 15
          Paris TN 38242
          Phone: (901) 644 1771
          or  (800) 233-2031

     * The Melbourne A Cappella Festival *
     * Sydney A Cappella Association *

     Both are held annually (what month?) in their regions of Australia,
and include performances as well as workshops. Anyone with information,
please contact us

Q. Are there any a cappella competitions?

     There are a few major a cappella competitions: one open to all
styles, and the others devoted specifically to certian styles of music.

     * Harmony Sweepstakes *
     An annual a cappella competition throughout the US, founded in 1983
by Lisa Murphy in San Rafael, CA as a local a cappella competition. Since
that time it has been produced by John Neal, and has grown to become a
national phenominon. Heats are held in various parts of the country, with
the regional winners travelling to the SF Bay Area for the finals in early
May. The Harmony Sweepstakes also join forces with CASA and Primarily A
Cappella to present the annual A Cappella Summit in San Francisco.

          Harmony Sweepstakes
          John Neal, Producer
          PO Box D
          San Anselmo, CA, 94979
          Phone: (415) 455-8602
          Fax: (415) 459-1622
          Email: harmonys@netcom.com

     The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival is a charming and
unique national celebration of vocal music groups performing 
in all styles, with the added excitement of a competition.
Founded in Northern California's Marin County in 1984 and 
originally designed as a casual get-together by and for Bay Area
singers, The Harmony Sweepstakes has grown into a national
showcase for the best vocal groups. Winning groups from
regional competitions around the country join together at 
the finals to perform for celebrity judges and enthusiastic 
a cappella audiences for the title of Grand National Champions,
as well as for cash and prizes. Judges in previous years 
have included such noted entertainment figures as 
Todd Rundgren, Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci),
and Peter Tork (Monkees) in addition to other respected 
members of the entertainment industry and the media. 
Winners of the finals have unfailingly benefited from the 
experience and have enjoyed increased notoriety, confidence, 
and earning power.

     From its humble beginnings at a small pub, The Harmony
Sweepstakes finals now are held at the 2000 seat Marin
Veterans Auditorium in San Rafael, California. The finals
feature the top notch groups who have won regional
competitions in Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland/Seattle and
San Francisco.

     Past winners of the Harmony Sweepstakes:

1995  Accidentals (from New York)
1994  Trenchcoats (from Seattle)
1993  17th Ave All Stars (from Denver)
1992  Acme Vocals (from Chicago)
1991  North Shore A Cappella (from Boston)
1990  The Knudsen Brothers (from Los Angeles)
1989  The Edlos (from San Francisco)
1988  Finesse (from SF)
1987  Pastiche (from SF)
1986  The Flips (from SF)
1985  Just Friends (from SF)

Regional Winners in 1995:

Boston         Five o' Clock Shadow
Chicago        Chicago Voice Exchange
Denver         Silk Threads
Los Angeles    Heart & Soul
New York       The Accidentals
Philadelphia   The Metronomes
San Francisco  Boyz Night Out

Prize Categories:

Regional winners win round-trip airfare and accomodations
to the finals in San Francisco.

National Champions:     $2,000.00
First Runner Up:          $500.00
Second Runner Up:         $300.00
Best Original Song:       $500.00
(Larry Vargo Award)
        
Prizes are also awarded for the Audience favorite
and best Original Arrangement.

They are also seeking groups who would like to compete in the 1996 events.

     * Barbershop Competitions *
     All three barbershop organizations (SPEBSQSA, SAI, Harmony Inc.)
sponsor competitions for their member groups. The guidelines and rules or
judging are very specific, and groups prepare arrangements and rehearse
for months and years with these in mind. If you're interested in entering
your group in one of these competitions and haven't been in contact with
the sponsoring organization yet, contact them ASAP so that you can prepare
accordingly (addresses of these organizations in FAQ #1).

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End of FAQ part 3
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     _/_/_/    _/_/      _/_/_/    _/_/  THE CONTEMPORARY A CAPPELLA
  _/        _/    _/  _/        _/    _/      SOCIETY OF AMERICA    
 _/        _/_/_/_/    _/_/    _/_/_/_/      email: casa@casa.org  
_/        _/    _/        _/  _/    _/      phone:  (415) 563-5224  
 _/_/_/  _/    _/  _/_/_/    _/    _/      web: http://www.casa.org 
1850 Union Street #1441, San Francisco, CA 94123.  fax:(415) 921-2834
