2023 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal @ Liberty High School

DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome to Varsity Vocals’ 27th 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 610 groups and over 9,100 singers at 85 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 cinematic 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.

We have seen a cappella make great strides from where it began on our stage 27 years ago, and we can’t wait to see how our 2023 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

Liberty High School
Saturday, February 4th, 2023

WE'RE SOCIAL

We're talking about this event, and all of our events around the world!

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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 29th.

The high school tournament is now in its 18th 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 28th.

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

Astha A Cappella is Saint Louis University’s premier co-ed fusion a cappella group. “Astha” means faith in Hindi. The group was established in 2006 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 evolved from jam sessions to complex musical compositions. The singers come from a variety of backgrounds and share an interest in singing melodies that combine Western and Eastern musical influences. They compete annually in South Asian A Cappella Bid Competitions and recent achievements include placing 1st at their 2022 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal and 3rd at the 2022 ICCA Midwest Semifinals.

The Hibernotes is Missouri State University's premier all-gender a cappella group. Established in 2012, The Hibernotes is officially 10 years old and planning an anniversary extravaganza for this spring. When not competing in ICCA, The Hibernotes can be seen performing out in the community, going on group mini-golf outings, or taking pictures using the wide lens feature on their phones. They also enjoy the occasional fart noise and keeping up with all of the popular TikTok sounds. During their busy fall semester, The Hibernotes enjoyed performing with Missouri State University’s two other a cappella groups in a charity event called iCare day. This event was in service of Harmony House, a shelter for people who have experienced domestic violence. Another highlight from last semester was partaking in the annual “Rockstar” competition for MSU’s panhellenic community. While singing brought them together, they love to think of The Hibernotes as chosen family in which everyone just happens to love music. Look out, a cappella world, The Hibernotes are back and so excited for ICCA season!

Miner Key is Missouri S&T’s first and only a cappella group. Since its founding in 2018, the group has grown from eight friends with a love for music to a 13-member competitive ensemble. Composed of predominantly engineering and science majors, their goal is to create a local community of music and have fun while doing it.

Located in Kirksville, Mo., Minor Detail is Truman's only all treble-voiced a cappella group on campus. They have 12 members this semester, all coming from various backgrounds. From psychology to biology majors, they are united by a joint passion for music. Outside of rehearsals (held Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings!) you can find them participating in other organizations on campus, such as student government, honor societies, and Greek life. As for hobbies, MD members love thrifting, exercising, and cooking for friends. This close-knit group of singers holds bonding events each semester that help new friendships blossom into family. They perform at many on and off-campus events and compete in ICCA every spring. They try to incorporate all sorts of music into their sets, including rock, pop, and even country! Minor Detail is excited to celebrate their 20th anniversary this year. Founded in 2002, they have always been and always will be all treble, all a cappella, all the time!

Mizzou Forte is a co-ed a cappella group at the University of Missouri- Columbia. This fun and energetic group sings pop songs that range from upbeat songs to beautiful ballads. Mizzou Forte is a safe space for its members to express who they are, share their love of music, and have a great group of friends for support.

Redhawk Rhythm is from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Founded in 2018, the group is Southeast Missouri State University’s first and only a cappella group. They have competed in the ICCA twice before and had a fantastic time! This year, they are an all-girl group with 12 members, but have been a mixed-gender group in years past. They perform concerts on and off campus, as well as for school events on different occasions. They are super excited to compete in the ICCA again this year!

The Beartones is Missouri State University’s all male-identifying a cappella group. They’re best known for singing complex arrangements spanning multiple genres, from pop-rock to indie-electronic to soul! More than just their music, The Beartones have a culture of encouragement, authenticity, and friendship. The group members share a genuine bond (forged in the fires of MarioKart) that brings their music to the next level. By encouraging making mistakes and trying new things, they create a family of singers who can grow together without fear of judgment. The Beartones love performing in their hometown, Springfield, Mo., and have traveled to St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and New York!

The Naturelles is The University of Missouri's all-female-identifying a cappella group, founded in 2007. This group of non-music-majors works tirelessly to compose and perfect their own music to entertain audiences across Missouri, all while building strong friendships. They pride themselves on being a group that encourages women to be themselves and know that they are worthy and strong. Give it up for The Naturelles!

GUEST PERFORMERS

Viva Voce is a treble-voice a cappella group at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Mo. Founded in 2016, Viva Voce is an extracurricular group of highly dedicated students who come together to share their love of a cappella music with their peers and community.

JayBlues is a mixed-voice a cappella group at Liberty High School in Liberty, Mo. The founding members of this ensemble began singing together before and after school and soon realized they wanted to take it to the next level. Together, they collaborate on programming and technical aspects of the group, all contributing to their inspired performances. JayBlues is composed of talented, dedicated students, all of whom share a deep love of making music.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Tim Arnold is the director of Wild Scats at Hazelwood West High School. He is a former member of the award-winning gospel quartet Closer, a founding member of Flawless Intuition, and was the director of Voices of Harmony at Hazelwood Central High School for eight years. Tim is a frequent clinician for a cappella groups and traditional choirs, but he hopes to leave that all behind when he becomes a reality-show millionaire.

Connor Ewens is a middle school vocal music education teacher at Discovery Middle School in Liberty. She received her degree in vocal music education from Missouri State University. During her time at Missouri State, she was a member of the Missouri State Chorale for three years and the Missouri State a cappella group, Sound Bearrier, for four years.

Briana Link graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in vocal music education. After graduation, she served as a graduate assistant at MSU for the esteemed Dr. Guy Webb while completing her Master of Music, with an emphasis in choral conducting. She was a four-year member of the a cappella group, A Cub Bella, serving as music director for two years. Briana competed with the group at several ICCA events and was twice recognized with the Outstanding Soloist award. She was also a member of Missouri State University's prestigious Concert Chorale for five years, where she served as soprano section leader for three years and one term as vice president. Briana is currently a music teacher at the Licking R-VIII School District, where she teaches junior high and high school band and choir. Since starting her job as a music educator, she founded a mixed a cappella group at Licking High School called The Cat’s Meow which has performed at ICHSA for the past seven years. Briana and her husband, Dylan, are the parents of a very active 21-month-old boy named Wade, who enjoys music just as much as his parents!

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Liberty School District, Danaya Roller, Cadence Arnold, and Taylor Northern; 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
PA/MA Program Coordinator

Lucy Jacobs
The Open Director
ICCA West Producer

Emily Flanders
Director of Adjudication
ICCA Great Lakes Producer

Andrew Poole
Director of Digital Media

Erica Tackett
Director of Marketing
& Social Strategy

Emily Sucher
Director of Publications

Sara Yood
Senior Producer

Holli Kitching
ICCA Mid-Atlantic Producer

Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
ICCA South Producer

Arvin Zabalerio
ICCA Central 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

Jillian Kimberlin
ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Producer

Danielle Sutherland
ICHSA Midwest Producer

Jake McVey
ICHSA Northeast Producer

Cameron Clemens
ICHSA West Producer

Ben Garza
ICHSA Southwest Producer

Luke Thomas
ICHSA South Producer

Adam McNeil
ICHSA Great Lakes Producer

Nicole Kholweiss
ICCA Central Day-Of Producer

Courtney Jenson
Associate Producer
Emcee Extraordinaire

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 placing groups at this event will advance to the 2023 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!

VIEW ALBUMS

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