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 MID-ATLANTIC QUARTERFINAL
West Chester University
Saturday, February 26, 2022
WE'RE SOCIAL
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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
West Chester University's High Street Harmonix is a gender-inclusive a cappella group created in 2013. The group consists of students who come from all different majors, but are brought together by their love of music. Performing in the ICCA every year is one of High Street Harmonix’s most highly anticipated events. They are thrilled to be back onstage and hope you enjoy their performance!
The Lehigh Melismatics is the oldest co-ed a cappella group at Lehigh University. These 15 singers perform songs from all kinds of genres, such as pop, alternative, hip-hop, and more. The members come from various academic disciplines but come together to share a common passion for music. All of their music is arranged and taught by the group’s own members, making them a completely student-run group! They have accomplished many milestones, such as opening for “The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular,” which they enjoyed for their third time in November 2021. The group also recently released an EP, Chains, their fifth major music issue during the COVID pandemic, which can be found on most streaming services. The Melismatics have also competed for many years in the ICCA, placing in several of them. The Lehigh Melismatics will be celebrating their 20-year anniversary this season and celebrated with an alumni concert last November.
LiaChorus is a gender-inclusive, contemporary, and competitive a cappella group, dedicated to bringing high-level performances to the general public and Temple and Philadelphia community. LiaChorus prides themselves on their unique blend, musical versatility, and competitive history. They have competed in the ICCA three times, made it to Semifinals twice, and earned the title of Quarterfinal Champions in spring 2020.
Based in Philadelphia, Pitch, Please is Temple University’s queer advocacy a cappella group. Founded in 2014, their group mission is to spread queer advocacy and empowerment through their music, specifically by covering queer artists. They perform on and off campus at LGBTQIA+-centered events, and collaborate with other groups in the greater Philadelphia and Mid-Atlantic region. Pitch, Please is so excited and grateful to be here, performing together live and in person after over a year!
Soulfege A Cappella is one of Lafayette College's all-voices a cappella groups. Made up of 15 students brought together by a shared love of singing, Soulfege is known for its high energy and smooth harmonies. They specialize in pop music, covering artists ranging from Amy Winehouse to Pentatonix. Throughout the year, they perform at various events on campus, including Lafayette’s annual Evening of A Cappella, their Christmas concert, and a spring concert with the other groups on campus. When they’re not working hard on their songs, you can catch them painting pumpkins together, making TikToks, or having a proper cup of coffee in a proper coffee pot (their favorite vocal warmup). They are so excited to perform here tonight and hope you enjoy their set!
The Lafayette Chorduroys is Lafayette College's premier all male-identifying a cappella group.
Golden Blues is the University of Delaware’s oldest all-gender a capella group. Founded in 1988, the group is coming up on 34 years of making music together and being a staple of UD's community. Golden Blues has performed in a wide variety of venues and events, including UD's Parent and Family Weekend, UDance, and as an opener for Drew Carrey and the cast of “Whose Line is it Anyway?”. These 17 amazing group members are involved in different organizations around campus but still find time to make music and have a good time. These organizations include UD’s leadership program, professional career development societies, the university’s event planning board, and many more. Golden Blues is proudly diverse in all aspects and extremely proud of the community they take care to foster within the group. Check out @goldenbluesud on Instagram to stay up to date on opportunities to hear them sing their hearts and souls out!
GUEST PERFORMER
OneManJamz is a Virginia-bred singer, rapper, beatboxer, and loop artist. Blending the solo style of Bobby McFerrin with the contemporary a cappella sounds of Pentatonix, his band consists of just his voice making drum beats, bass grooves, and harmonic layers to create full, one-of-a-kind tracks. His songs are genuine and human, discussing topics of love, loneliness, struggle, and success. His covers seek to take the listener to a different place than the original song would, either amping up the energy to tell a new story or chilling out for a more introspective, vulnerable vibe.
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Allison Bannon studied voice at York College of Pennsylvania and graduated in 2015. During her time there, she was fortunate enough to be the music director of YCP Rhapsody for three years, forming arrangements, choreographing, and instructing the group. She was involved in their first-ever competition and loved the thrill and reward of competing. She led the group to pursue local competitions throughout eastern Pennsylvania, including the ICCA. Since graduating, she has continued to pursue music as a private vocal and piano instructor, music-directing productions at York College, and leading worship at the LCBC York Campus.
Carissa McIlwain is a mezzo-soprano from the greater Philadelphia area. Carissa fostered her a cappella career at Elizabethtown College by singing with and arranging for the all-female group, Melica. Her arrangements helped redefine the group as they evolved their sound from sweet to sassy. She currently performs with a small folk trio, The Hesperides, and works as both a preschool music teacher and a studio music teacher, specializing in voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele. Carissa continues to arrange music for a cappella ensembles and her students. She believes that individuals are inherently musical and that talent can be accessed through patient, compassionate guidance.
Joshua Singer served as music director and arranger for two-time ICCA Finalists, University of Maryland Faux Paz. In 2016, he was awarded Outstanding Arrangement for the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, Josh arranged the winning 2017 BOSS Scholastic Competition set for Faux. His work has been nominated for multiple Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs), including a 2016 nomination for Best Electronic Song for his arrangement of "Our Own House" by Misterwives. Josh won the CARA for "Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement" for Faux Paz's single, "Where Are Ü Now" by Justin Bieber, Skrillex, and Diplo. Josh was a featured director on the second season of Pop Network's “Sing It On," which followed his group's ICCA journey to Finals. Josh continues to engage with the a cappella community through his arrangements, collaborations, and workshops, and actively works to inspire groups across the country to take their music and performance to the next level.
Ian Wolfe is a Pennsylvania State University graduate and self-proclaimed a cappella nerd. At Penn State, he spent four years singing in a co-ed a cappella group, The Coda Conduct. He served as music director for Coda and helped them release an EP, Out of the Dark, and a full album, SPECTRUM. Ian competed in ICCA twice with The Coda Conduct, winning several Outstanding Arrangement awards. He also competed in the 2018 BOSS Scholastic Competition in Boston, Mass. Ian currently sings with the international 3rd place medalist barbershop chorus, Parkside Harmony, is a percussionist, and works with the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) as a nominator and judge for the CARAs.
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Under A Rest; 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 Mid-Atlantic 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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