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 MIDWEST QUARTERFINAL
Washington University in St. Louis
Saturday, February 19, 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
Miner Key is Missouri S&T’s first and only a cappella group. Since its founding in 2018, the group has grown from a group of friends with a shared love for music to a competitive ensemble. Composed of predominantly engineering and science majors, their goal is to promote a local community of music and have fun while doing it. Miner Key competed in the 2020 ICCA Quarterfinals and took home Outstanding Choreography, as well as 2nd place overall. Although COVID interrupted that season, they are excited to repeat that success and more!
Astha a Cappella is Saint Louis University’s premier co-ed fusion a cappella group. “Astha” means faith in Hindi. Established in 2006, the group was formed by six students who came together to sing Indian fusion music, hang out, and jam. They had faith in music and Astha a cappella was born. Astha has grown from casual jam sessions to complex compositions. The singers come from a variety of backgrounds, but all of them are interested in singing a mixture of melodies that combine Western and Eastern musical influences. They compete annually in South Asian A Cappella Bid Competitions and their most notable achievement is placing 2nd at two bid comps and being ranked in the top three nationally among the top seven South Asian a cappella teams.
Beyond All Reason is Saint Louis University's only all-female-identifying group on campus! They sing a lot of pop songs, but you will also find them singing songs from a few Disney classics like “Lemonade Mouth” and “Phineas and Ferb.” They all come from different musical experiences in high school, and yet they always come together and create performances that make them proud! Being an all-female-identifying group has pushed them to find their style where they sound the most full and beautiful and they all love the chance to be creative and test their limits. The bond they share really makes them sparkle and they believe that this combination of friendship and hard work is what makes this group so special.
Decadence A Cappella is Saint Louis University's ONLY co-ed contemporary a cappella group. Founded in 2010, Decadence A Cappella has over a decade of music-making under their belt. Even more importantly, this group has created many wonderful friendships. This close-knit group includes members from all different backgrounds, interests, and areas of study, but they all love spending time together and doing things as a "Deca-fam."
Six Eight Christian A Cappella aims to be a strong Christian witness among both the a cappella performance groups and campus worship communities. Their threefold mission of ministry, worship, and entertainment, guides their repertoire selection and spirit of performance. As an inclusive Christian community, they seek to maintain an atmosphere of respect, creativity, and collaboration.
It was the year 2000 when The Bare Naked Statues, SLU’s premier all-male a cappella group, first revealed themselves and every day since has been a journey. Performing songs by anyone from Frank Sinatra to Twenty One Pilot, Beyoncé to Franz Biebl, The Statues have made a name for themselves in the Midwest and beyond. In 2014, they traveled to New York to compete at ICCA Finals and just a couple years ago they traveled to Indiana for ICCA Semifinals. They revel in pleasing a crowd, shattering barriers, and setting new standards for the art form. So take a seat, hold onto it tightly, and experience The Bare Naked Statues!
The Sensasians is Washington University in St. Louis's premier Asian-interest a cappella group. Founded in 2009, The Sensasians specialize in bilingual mashups of Asian songs and Western songs. They have sung in languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tagalog, from artists such as BTS, Justin Timberlake, Blackpink, Illenium, EXO, and much more. In 2016, The Sensasians won the Midwest ICCA Quarterfinal and advanced to Semifinals. They compete in ICCA almost every year and take pride in their high-energy performances and diverse array of languages. On campus, The Sensasians are known for being a kind, welcoming, and musically talented group that always shows up to events with a cup of boba tea. They are affectionately known as the "Singing Pandas." Following a year of remote rehearsals due to Covid-19, they proudly welcomed 11 new singing pandas to The Sensasians and are so excited to perform with them. They are excited to take to the ICCA stage once again and showcase their musical talent, cultural diversity, and love for one another.
The University of Iowa's Hawkapellas, established in 2001, is a student-run organization open to all majors. They are dedicated to creating a supportive group of woman-identifying individuals united in a cappella performance. They are the only group at the University of Iowa made up of soprano and alto voice parts and the only group to audition for the ICCA. Their music selection spans genres and decades, but is primarily focused on female pop hits, ranging from Little Mix to Christina Aguilera to Shania Twain to The Andrews Sisters. They perform around campus, Iowa City, and the state of Iowa, sharing their talents with the community.
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Born and raised in Barnhart, Mo., Chris Boemler’s love for music was inspired by his mother at a young age. At the age of seven, he and his brother, Derek, were singing in church and in a children's choir. He began playing trombone in junior high, and formed his own barbershop quartet in high school, receiving many district and state music honors. At Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., Chris received dual bachelor's degrees in vocal and instrumental music education, studying under the batons of Dr. Guy B. Webb, Dr. Belva Prather, Mr. Jerry Hoover, and Dr. Robert Quebbeman. Chris was also a member of The Missouri State University Beartones, singing bass, baritone, or any other part that needed to be filled. Upon graduating in 2012, Chris was hired by the Jackson R-2 school district in Jackson, Mo., where continues he teaches both junior high and high school choirs. During the school day, Chris co-directs two men's choirs, a women's choir, and three mixed choirs. In total, he teaches just over 350 students a day and even knows their names. In 2014, Chris received his Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Ill., graduating in just 13 months. Currently, Chris resides with his wife, Laura, in the beautiful town of Jackson, Mo.
Destinee Feliciano began her a cappella journey in DeKalb High School's mixed a cappella group Enharmonic Fusion, with whom she had the privilege of competing in ICHSA all four years, advancing to Finals in 2015, 2016, and 2017. After high school, she joined UIUC's No Comment and served as co-music director, arranging 12 songs for the group. Her music was included in their appearances at ICCA, taking the group to 1st place finishes and Semifinal appearances each time they competed. Destinee has a degree in music education from the University of Illinois and now is a music educator at Garden Hills Academy in Central Illinois.
Kenny Kabak is a native of St. Louis, Mo. He is currently pursuing his Master of Music with an emphasis in choral conducting from Missouri State University, where he previously earned a Bachelor of Music Education and graduated with honors. Currently, Kenny is the children’s choir director at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Mo. He recently served as the Conductor of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Kenny served as the student representative for the Missouri Choral Directors Association and was the sole planner and designer of the Student and New Teacher Academy. He has also served as music director for the contemporary a cappella group, The Beartones, which ranked as one of the top a cappella groups in the Midwest and performed at the National A Cappella Convention (NACC). He has toured extensively with the Drakensberg Boys Choir, as well as with the Missouri State Chorale, including trips around the U.S., Scotland, England, South Africa, and Japan. Professional affiliations include the American Choral Directors Association and the Missouri Music Educators Association.
Jamie Perkins received a B.A. in music from Washington University in St. Louis, where he sang for four years as a member of The Amateurs, as well as Wash U's concert and chamber choirs. Jamie served as The Amateurs' music director for his final two years with the group before graduating in the spring of 2013. After graduating from Wash U, Jamie spent two years at Webster University, and earned a master's degree in choral conducting. At Webster, he sang with the Webster University Chamber Singers and worked as the assistant conductor for Webster's choirs. Jamie currently works for the Washington University Department of Music, and he is happy to back in the a cappella community as an ICCA judge.
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Dan Fister, Claire Golden, Viva Voce, and Sam Glass; 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 Midwest 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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