THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF COLLEGIATE
A CAPPELLA
DEAR FRIENDS,
Welcome to Varsity Vocals’ 26th season! Our enthusiasm for the art of a cappella is greater than ever after more than a quarter century of presenting the best student groups on stage and in the studio.
Our tournaments have grown from a handful of events to the massive showcase they are today, this year featuring more than 578 groups and 8,772 singers at 77 events across North America and the United Kingdom.
Our original tournament inspired the hit movie "Pitch Perfect", based on the nonfiction book documenting the true story of rival groups competing against each other in our very own ICCA. The "Pitch Perfect" franchise remains the highest-grossing musical series of all time.
Despite the incredible growth and mainstream popularity we’ve enjoyed, our focus remains sharply on the promotion and development of the talent that crosses our stage. We believe competition fosters growth, as groups work together toward a specific goal and cultivate lifelong skills and relationships.
We provide insightful feedback from our highly qualified judges – but more importantly, our singers get to connect with a larger audience from across the country, learning from their peers and finding inspiration in other groups.
Two years ago, our 2020 tournament was sidelined mid-season by the pandemic, and we were unable to crown champions for the first time. In 2021, as a cappella groups were unable to gather to rehearse or perform, we adapted our program by challenging groups to create 4-minute music videos, recorded and edited remotely. The astonishing artistry and skill in these videos is a testament to the adaptability, ingenuity, and determination of our competitors, and we couldn’t be prouder.
This season, we are again challenged by the pandemic, as we attempt to present live events across thousands of miles in an ever-changing COVID landscape. Although some of our events have been postponed or converted to virtual, we are determined to see the season through. Many groups haven’t been able to compete live since 2019 – some students for their entire high school or college career. We are humbled more than ever by the importance of our role in setting the stage for the creation of so much magic.
We have seen a cappella make great strides from where it began on our stage 26 years ago, and we can’t wait to see how our 2022 competitors push the envelope. Committed to promoting our singers and energized by the incredible music they create, we look forward to another memorable season. Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Amanda Newman
Executive Director
ICCA GREAT LAKES QUARTERFINAL
University of Michigan
Saturday, February 12, 2022
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ABOUT VARSITY VOCALS
Since 1996, we have encouraged students worldwide to sing a cappella throughout their lives. Our programs include the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA), and the International Championship of A Cappella Open (The Open). We also annually produce The Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) and The Best of High School A Cappella (BOHSA) compilation albums.
Our a cappella competitions give top-notch a cappella groups the opportunity to showcase their talents for an international audience and to take home valuable feedback from our qualified judges. This year, competing groups will appear in venues all around the world, offering their energetic musical performances for your enjoyment.
The college tournament takes place from January through April in nine regions across the country and around the world. Each region holds anywhere from four to five Quarterfinals, and the top groups from each Quarterfinal advance to the Semifinal. The winning group at each Semifinal is named Regional Champion and advances to the ICCA Finals at The Town Hall in New York City on Saturday, April 23rd.
The high school tournament is now in its 17th year. The winners of each of seven Semifinal rounds will advance to the ICHSA Finals at The Town Hall in New York City on Saturday, April 22nd.
The Open Tournament celebrated its third year in summer 2019 and featured six Semifinals that lead to the Open Finals featuring those six Regional Champions, two Wild Card Champions, and our 2019 ICHSA and ICCA Champions. Those 10 groups competed in October 2019 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
For a full tournament schedule, visit us at www.varsityvocals.com/events
ABOUT TONIGHT'S SHOW
The performance order was determined by random draw this afternoon and will be announced from stage.
Tonight’s performers will be evaluated on elements of their vocal and visual performance, which carry numerical weight. The highest and lowest score from the individual judges will be dropped for each group. Our judges may recognize exceptional performances with special awards as they see fit.
There will be a 15-minute intermission. After the final group has performed, a guest performer will entertain you while the scores are tabulated.
Because each group only has ten minutes to perform, we ask you to keep your applause to an enthusiastic minimum between songs. Please feel welcome to applaud as much as you want after each group has finished its set.
Videotaping and non-flash photography for personal use is permitted during the concert, so long as you do not disrupt our performers or other patrons. Due to licensing regulations, we do not provide a video or audio recording of this performance.
TONIGHT'S COMPETITORS
Known for its show-stopping soloists, 58 Greene is the University of Michigan's premier multicultural, co-ed a cappella group. The group was started in room 58 Greene in the basement of East Quad and rehearses there to this day, though that particular classroom didn't survive the renovations. The members of 58 Greene come from diverse backgrounds, but a shared love for music ties them all together. 58 Greene's mission is to promote cultural diversity and social justice through song.
Amazin' Blue is the University of Michigan's oldest co-ed a cappella ensemble. Founded in 1987, AB has produced 14 studio albums, performed around the nation, and is one of the most decorated a cappella groups at U of M. AB has performed at many important events, on campus and off, including graduation ceremonies, service events, and opening for major concerts. Amazin' Blue sings a collection of pop, rock, and jazz covers, and recently accepted its 200th historic member! AB is proudly supported by the University Activities Center and is one of 16 members of the Michigan A Cappella Council.
The DJs is a fun-loving, goofy, diverse group of University of Michigan students. While all of the members come from different sides of campus, they share the same intense passion for making excellent music! Known for experimenting with all different types of genres and sounds, this incredibly close musical family thrives on pushing boundaries and trying new things. While “DJ” doesn't stand for anything in particular, the group does stand for fostering a fun and inclusive environment for all of its members and audiences. They are also known for having the best game nights and trying to put “DJ” in front of every word. They hope everyone is just as D-Jazzed as they are to hear and perform live music again. In 2020, they snagged 1st place at their Great Lakes Quarterfinal and are so excited to be back this year!
Emerald Harmony is EMU’s treble a cappella group! In just their fifth year, this group has a great repertoire filled with pop, country, jazz, folk, rock, and alternative pieces. They’re proud to represent Eastern Michigan and their most talented women and non-binary students.
Eastern Michigan University Evergreen is EMU's premier co-ed a cappella ensemble, with singers representing a wide array of majors, interests, and a cappella experiences. Evergreen focuses heavily on camaraderie, building musicianship, and social justice causes in the music that they create. They hope to use music as their lens through which they experience the world. EMU Evergreen is committed to creating a safe environment for everyone, regardless of their differences in race, gender, and sexual orientation. They strive to build community and create beautiful music with their fellow performers. A presence on EMU's campus since 2016, Evergreen is a young organization with vibrancy and energy that reflects the music and community they seek to create.
Gold Vibrations of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. is an a cappella group that specializes in groovy tunes and good vibes. They especially love singing the likes of Lawrence, Allen Stone, Billie Eilish, and anything that they can put their own spin on. Aside from rehearsing and reminiscing on the time they went to ICCA Finals in 2016 (even though none of the current group members were actually there), they enjoy partaking in Boneless Thursdays at BDubs and playing ridiculous rounds of Jackbox games. They have a full group of 18 members and you can find them performing at gigs and events around campus and putting on their own concerts throughout the year. They’re so excited to be back competing in the ICCA!
Founded in 2007, Maize Mirchi is the University of Michigan’s premier fusion a cappella group. Operating under the motto "South Asian-inspired, but never required,” they incorporate Indian styles of Hindustani and Carnatic music based in ragas (melodic frameworks exclusive to South Asian songs) alongside Western genres such as contemporary pop or R&B. In the same vein, they utilize both solfège (do re mi fa so la ti do) and the South Asian equivalent of Sargam (sa re ga ma pa dha ni sa) to learn music. This produces a diverse makeup of chord progressions, harmonic themes, and key signatures to explore for any given song. Synthesizing these two styles even expands their options for vocal percussion! Konnakol, for example, is a vocal expression of percussive syllables common in Carnatic music. Although Konnakol and beatboxing differ in their traditional settings, both can serve as a rhythmic foundation. Outside of their music style, Maize Mirchi prides itself on fostering a tight-knit group culture that advances each member’s creative goals and well-being. From connecting with South Asian groups on campus to competing abroad, they artistically collaborate as a family. They hope to display their signature comradery and cultural fusion in every performance!
Composed of students from a wide range of disciplines, Summit Street A Cappella is Eastern Michigan University's premier TTBB a cappella organization. Created in 2018, Summit Street began as a shared idea among three friends who wanted to expand what was available to vocalists on campus, as well as those who were interested in music production. From there, the organization has had many amazing opportunities, including performing in the official EMU Holiday video and competing in the 2021 ICCA.
Established in 2004, Treblemakers is Northwestern University’s award-winning, co-ed, premier East Asian-interest a cappella group. Their members come from all over the world, hailing from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and various parts of the U.S. To celebrate their diverse and nuanced identities, they perform and arrange songs in multiple languages and genres, from English rock anthems to Chinese ballads to Korean pop hits, just to name a few. While they strive to promote Asian and Asian-American musical excellence and share it with the surrounding community, they are also a family that loves to sing, eat, and laugh together. In 2010, Treblemakers founded Quad-A, the Asian American A Cappella Association. Quad-A is a weekend conference consisting of various workshops and performances with other East Asian-interest a cappella groups. Since its founding, Treblemakers has hosted Quad-A three times at Northwestern University. In 2014 and 2017, Treblemakers competed in the ICCA, winning 3rd place and the Outstanding Soloist at Quarterfinals. In 2016, they embarked on their first-ever international tour to Asia. In 2018, they performed for family, friends, and fans on their tour in California.
Since 2001, The Sopranos A Cappella (affectionately known as The Sops) at the University of Michigan has been a tight-knit, fun-loving, and talented group of ladies. With unique arrangements and powerhouse vocalists, this all-female University of Michigan a cappella group is a force to be reckoned with.
GUEST PERFORMER
The G-Men, or Gentlemen for long, is the premier all-male a cappella group at the University of Michigan. In addition to their unusually large triceps, The G-Men have performed for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, sang the national anthem for the Detroit Pistons and Tigers, and competed in four ICCA Finals. Rocking audiences around the country since 1995, The G-Men are honored and proud to be hosting this year's ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal!
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Dan Dade, a music professional from Lansing, Mich., strives to be a multifaceted asset for any organization with which he is involved. Dan is currently an educator with Grand Ledge Public Schools, serving as one of the high school and middle school choir directors, as well as percussion director at Walled Lake Northern High School. He also works as a freelance composer and arranger, receiving commissions and performances from all over the United States, for ensembles such as the University of Georgia Symphonic Band, the Oakland University Chorale, and military bands like the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band. Dan has produced and published his own a cappella music on all streaming platforms and currently sings and beatboxes for TBD A Cappella. Dan worked as an arranger for Voices Only and has been a clinician for many high school and collegiate a cappella groups. He is committed to musical excellence and versatility and hopes to help others grow in these areas as well. As a former member of The Michigan State University Accafellas, Dan has a love for Varsity Vocals competitions and is honored to be one of the judges for this event. Best of luck to everyone competing tonight!
Olivia Child knew as soon as she arrived at Michigan State University that she had to get involved in a cappella - specifically Ladies First, the only all-treble group on campus. Being a member of Ladies First meant a lot to her, especially because her own mother was one of the founders of the group when she attended MSU in 1985! Olivia performed with Ladies for all four years of her undergraduate career, competing in ICCA each year in the Great Lakes region and moving on to Semifinals in Chicago for two years in a row. She was an arranger for the group and served as business manager for a year and a half, thriving in the additional logistical challenges involved in these roles. After graduating from MSU in 2018, she found herself wanting even more a cappella and joined the off-season group, MSU Spartones. She competed with Spartones at the ICCA Open in 2019 and looks forward to finding more opportunities to stay involved with a cappella in the future, starting with this exciting opportunity to judge the talented groups this season!
Sarah Maskill fell in love with a cappella two weeks after joining her college group at her first big performance: the ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal! She is a former bass and business manager of Michigan State University's Ladies First. During her time with Ladies First she produced two EPs, was nominated for a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA), and was fortunate enough to advance to ICCA Great Lakes Semifinals three times. She has since workshopped with many groups in the Midwest region, performed at The Open with her group Revel, and currently runs the Artist in Residence program at A Cappella University. You may have also seen her behind a camera at Varsity Vocals events and Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) festivals.
Andrea Poole has served as director of the ICHSA since 2009. Under her leadership, the ICHSA has grown from a handful of small Semifinals to the robust, full-fledged tournament it is today, featuring more than 250 groups competing at sold-out events nationwide. Before becoming ICHSA Director, Andrea served as ICHSA Midwest producer from 2007 to 2009 and produced numerous regional and national events during her time with Varsity Vocals. Andrea is an alumna of Michigan State University‘s Capital Green, and served as president for two of her four years in the group and arranged much of the group's repertoire. She continues to arrange for and coach groups in Michigan. Before singing with Capital Green, she was part of Pine Creek (Colo.) High School’s female a cappella group, Nuance, and was actively involved in the choral program. Andrea is a full-time public relations professional at a firm in Lansing, Mich.
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank our judges, hosts, competitors, volunteers, partners, and producers; and you, the audience, for supporting Varsity Vocals programming.
Amanda Newman
Executive Director
Dave Rabizadeh
ICCA Director
Elise Hackl-Blumstein
ICHSA Director
ICHSA Great Lakes Producer
PA/MA Program Coordinator
Andrea Poole
ICHSA Co-Director
Lucy Jacobs
The Open Director
ICCA West Producer
Andrew Poole
Director of Digital Media
Erica Tackett
Director of Marketing & Social Strategy
Emily Flanders
Director of Adjudication
ICCA Great Lakes Producer
Emily Sucher
Director of Publications
Patty Floyd
Accountant
Virginia DeMoss
Album Production Coordinator
Sara Yood
Senior Producer
Holli Kitching
ICCA Mid-Atlantic Producer
Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
ICCA South Producer
Leah Alrutz
ICCA Midwest Producer
Bronwyn Jensen
ICCA Southwest Producer
Gemma Davies
ICCA United Kingdom Producer
Christopher Witham
ICCA United Kingdom Producer
Emily Benjamin
ICCA Northeast Producer
Arvin Zabalerio
ICCA Central Producer
Jillian Kimberlin
ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Producer
Danielle Sutherland
ICHSA Midwest Producer
Jake McVey
ICHSA Northeast Producer
Donald Paradis
ICHSA South Producer
Cameron Clemens
ICHSA West Producer
Courtney Jenson
Associate Producer
Emcee
Ben Garza
ICHSA Southwest Producer
Katherine Mosher
ICHSA South Day-Of Producer
Bri Decerio
ICHSA West Day-Of Producer
Jake Yoakum
ICHSA West Day-Of Producer
OUR TEAM
We have an amazing team of people who work tirelessly to make our programs so valuable for our singers and audiences alike — and they all do it while holding down full-time day jobs, too!
The top two finishing groups will advance to the 2022 ICCA Great Lakes Semifinal.
BRING THE HARMONY HOME
Find your favorite groups on The Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) and The Best of High School A Cappella (BOHSA), available for purchase on Apple Music and Amazon Music!
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