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 UNITED KINGDOM QUARTERFINAL

 

Theatre Royal Stratford East
Saturday, February 18th, 2023

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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

Nth Harmonic from Imperial College London is a close-knit, mixed group with a wide range of songs in their repertoire. As the newest group on campus, they stand out with their unique sound and complex arrangements. They have shared their skills by performing on Imperial College campus in concerts throughout the year, as well as busking all over Westminster. They can be found in Covent Garden every Saturday whatever the weather! On top of this, they upload weekly 30-second covers of popular songs on TikTok and other social media platforms. Group members are scholars of science, engineering and medicine courses, so being part of Nth gives them a chance to show off their collective love of music, have lots of fun, and become close friends with people whom they otherwise might never have met. The group is the strongest it has ever been and they are ready to take on the ICCA as their biggest challenge yet. They are all incredibly excited and honoured to perform on their largest stage so far alongside other talented groups and show the rest of the U.K. what Nth Harmonic can do. 

RadioOctave is a mixed a cappella group from the University of Nottingham. Over the past few years, the group has grown and flourished while competing in numerous competitions, producing music videos, and releasing an album, Blue. The group hopes to build on last year’s momentum and perform again at Nottingham Splendour Fest, on BBC East Midlands, and more before returning to the Edinburgh Fringe in August. They love performing at the ICCA and this year’s set is full of crunchy chords and intensity! They hope you enjoy! 

Sheffield University's one-and-only a cappella group, Steelworks, is back again! Ever since its formation in 2014, the group has skyrocketed to success, placing as U.K. Semifinalists in their last two ICCA seasons. After some time away from performing, Steelworks is returning stronger than ever, with a few familiar faces and some brand-new talent in the mix. It is safe to say that they have put the WORK in Steelworks. This summer, they are aiming to perform their debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe. As for tonight, watch out for their eye-catching black and silver looks, vivacious stage presence, and stellar vocals on stage! 

SUSSINCT from the University of Sussex is more than just a group of friends, but a dysfunctional family. They haven’t been together long, but it just feels right. You might remember them from last year, when they attempted K-pop and may or may not have done it a disservice. This year, you’re in for a treat with some original compositions. They will be butchering Disney, slaughtering R&B, and genuinely trying to embarrass themselves. This will definitely be a performance to remember and most probably their last time here. On the bright side, they enjoy what they do and have had loads of fun making music together. 

The Oxford Gargoyles has been scatting and schmultzing since 1998, celebrating their 25th anniversary this year! They're notorious around Oxford for their nifty quarter-zip fleeces, inventive scat syllables, singing “My Baby Just Cares for Me” at almost every gig, and performing in black-tie. Primarily a jazz ensemble, this group is no stranger to a “dm tsm” bassline, a big juicy harmony, or involving lots of improvisation in their performances. Unlike the grotesque statues dotted around the city, they’re actually quite a lighthearted bunch and aren’t adverse to a bit of movement either, thanks to choreographer Tiggy Jones and the infectious grooves of their in-house arrangements. Highlights of The Gargs’ average academic year include an opening gig at a 13th century pub, a Christmas and cocktails concert, recording albums and videos, performing at black-tie events and balls, and the annual Edinburgh Fringe, which they were delighted to return to for the 15th time last summer. The Gargs are supremely excited to be returning to competitive a cappella this year and hope to wow everyone at the ICCA with a new generation of sizzling voices. 

The Rolling Tones, founded in 2007, is an a cappella group from Kings College London. Throughout the years, the group has performed all over the world, including the U.S. and Asia. The two-time United Kingdom Champions have picked up numerous awards over the years for Outstanding Choreography, Arrangements, Vocal Percussion, and Soloist from competitions such as The Open, Voice Festival U.K., as well as the ICCA. They recently performed at Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 with their six-day show, “The B-aca-chelorette,” and released their debut, self-titled album on all streaming platforms back in July, so be sure to check it out! 

Celebrating their 15th anniversary, somehow The Techtonics are still here. With a strong legacy of epic croquet, an exceptional lack of decorum, and some harmony that can't be found in Grade 5 theory, these enigmatic individuals from Imperial College London are ready to groundbreak some more British a cappella.

A whirlwind of heavy harmonies and vulnerable lyrics, The Truetones is a collection of nine students and friends of ICMP University. Taking inspiration from old and new vocal harmony groups alike, Truetones are thrilled to bring their debut ICCA performance this year, featuring two anthemic songs and an original composition that speak to the current times. They are driven by a shared love of harmony in every sense of the word. 

The Trinity Belles is an all-female a cappella group from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Bridging the unique sounds of Irish music and contemporary Western music, The Belles cultivate a safe, inclusive space for women in music. They arrange all of their own pieces and regularly gig around Ireland. Some of them study music, but they come from a wide breadth of disciplines, from medicine to creative writing. They are committed to climbing the approximate 54783297 steps to get to each rehearsal and putting on a smile while doing theatrical exercises immediately afterward. In addition to practicing songs, The Belles use rehearsal time to help members improve their technique and encourage stage presence. By the time the girls graduate, they're professionals! They’veperformed at weddings, festivals, balls, Christmas markets, and even in Paris. They also collaborate with a cappella groups from other universities around the world, such as The Columbia Kingsmen and The Fordham Ramblers. Previous repertoire includes an Ariana Grande medley, "Bicycle Race" by Queen, "Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan, and many others. They even have a pair of sisters in the group! Truly a family affair. Plus, their parents think they’re really good, so that should say it all.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Matt Chinery is an a cappella singer and recording engineer with over a decade of experience in contemporary a cappella. He sang for two years with Oxford University's Out of the Blue, and with them, finished 2nd place at the 2006 ICCA Final in New York. He also directed scratch group, Last Minute, in the 2008 BBC television series, "Last Choir Standing." He currently sings with AfterParty A Cappella, a former Shard Choir of the Year and member of the Contemporary A Cappella League (CAL). As a recording engineer, Matt's credits include one Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) and several further nominations, a track on prestigious compilation album Sing 9, a Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB) Pick of 2015, and multiple tracks on U.K. Compilation, The Voice Collection. In his limited spare time, he is a lawyer. 

Sophie-Lee Colchester is a choir leader, teacher, and award-winning musical director. She has been Director of Fitznells Music Centre for more than a decade, where she teaches singing, piano and percussion, and leads both adult and children’s choirs. She was the musical director for the world premiere of "5, 6, 7, 8: A Steps Musical" at the Camden Fringe Festival in 2017 and more recently for the award-winning 2019 production of "I Love You Because" at Wimbledon Studio Theatre. She is also a singer, having performed in choirs and onstage since childhood and has sung for Mary King, Bob Chilcott, and Sampha.

Connie Richards has been involved in the U.K. a cappella scene for the last seven years. In addition to having a master’s degree in songwriting and music production, they have been in and depped for over 10 a cappella groups, serving as an arranger, vocal percussionist, and vocal parts ranging from alto 2 to soprano 1. They currently manage Algorhythm, a group made up entirely of beatboxing aca-lumni. Connie can't wait to see what this year's groups will bring to the competition and wishes best of luck to everyone! 

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

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 United Kingdom 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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