2023 ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal @ Skyline 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

ICHSA MIDWEST QUARTERFINAL

Skyline 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 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.

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.

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

Chelsea Gold is from Chelsea High School in Chelsea, Mich. Established in 1990 as a show choir by the name of Company C, Chelsea Gold reestablished as an a cappella group in 2020 and changed names in 2022. This is the group’s first year participating in ICHSA. They are overjoyed for the opportunity to compete and grow in the a cappella scene in Michigan and look forward to being more involved in the a cappella community!

Chicapella is an all-female student-led a cappella group at Brighton High School in Brighton, Mich. Their pieces are all arranged by the group’s music leaders, Murphy McIntyre and Emily Wilson. They love attending their twice a week rehearsals, but also love hanging out together, having Chicas sleepovers, and performing at Brighton High School Choir concerts and events. They all love music and enjoy every opportunity to make music together. They would like to thank the BHS choir director, Mr. Johnson, their parents, and finally, their friends and supporters for helping them to succeed, and more importantly, have fun.

Da Capo is Brighton High School’s co-ed a cappella group. Specializing in pop, the group has 13 members and rotating leaders. Their current leaders are Maddie McKeown (11th grade) and Alex Hoang (12th grade). They have only been around for about six years, but keep busy performing at the fall, winter, pre-fest, and spring spectacular choir concerts, as well as the school’s karaoke competition, Brighton Idol. Their goal this year is to show high school students that a cappella is a fun and exciting way to be musically creative. The songs in their set all fall under the theme of loving yourself. They hope to show others that life gets a little bit easier once you love who you are. Da Capo tries to practice what they preach within the group, believing that if they can make one person feel more content with themselves, they will have done their job.

Dynamic Pressure is the a cappella vocal ensemble of Forest Hills High School. The group was founded in 2018 by chorus director Philip Parlock II and they have performed in Pennsylvania and Maryland. They began competing in the ICHSA competition in 2022. This auditioned group performs many styles, including pop, rock, jazz, barbershop, and renaissance music. Since the group began, three of its singers have been members of the NAfME All-National Choir, one was a member of the NAfME All-East Choir, and four have been in the Pennsylvania All-State Chorus.

Let's take it From The Top! This group of high schoolers is so proud to represent Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. From The Top is only in their fourth year as an a cappella group. From The Top vocalists use this opportunity to define their purpose as musicians, artists, and friends, all while telling beautiful stories on stage. With a quickly growing repertoire and a new album on streaming platforms, this group is learning what it takes to give audiences a show they will never forget.

Kaleidoscope, from Clyde High School, in Clyde, Ohio, has been a contemporary a cappella group for eight years and is excited to return to ICHSA to compete. This group is composed of 13 members, ranging from sophomores to seniors. Kaleidoscope has performed at the National A Cappella Festival, Downtown Disney in Orlando, Fla., Camp A Cappella for two years, and opened for The Filharmonic. Kaleidoscope has a familial bond that makes this group very special.

Major VI comes from Novi High School in Novi, Mich. More than just a group, Major VI is a family. They treasure spending time together, whether playing games, singing, or simply bonding. Each member of the group brings individual talents and contributes something magical. When each of them steps foot into room 150, they enter a judgment-free space of fun, music, and kindness. Each person in the group has their own unique voice and their respect, gratitude, and love for one another knows no bounds.

Notetorious is the all-male a cappella group at Brighton High School in Brighton, Mich. They are a student-led group and rehearse for two hours every week. Every piece they perform is arranged by their own Jack Oelslager. In their free time, they love to hang out with each other, crack stupid jokes, and just enjoy each other's company. They would like to thank all of their supporters, their parents, and their wonderful choir teacher Mr. Johnson.

Orion's Belt is an all new a cappella group at Grand Ledge High School. This group prides itself on being able to show off their personalities. both individually and as a group, while performing onstage. Composed of 16 members, these singers will guide you through the stars with their voices.

Skyline Blues, from Ann Arbor Skyline High School, was founded in 2008 and is under the direction of Lindsay CieChanski and Hayla Alawi. The group meets after school twice a week and participates in performances and competitions throughout the year. They are a consistent force at the ICHSA, often advancing to Semifinals and to Finals in 2019. They have also won awards for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Vocal Percussion, Outstanding Soloist, and Outstanding Arrangement. Skyline Blues has been featured on BOHSA and Voices Only compilations and released several EPs, a single, and most recently, an EP, titled To Feel Again. In the spring of 2017, Skyline Blues was featured at the National A Cappella Convention (NACC) in Memphis and was a guest lecturer at the MSVMA Summer Workshop in August. In 2018, they represented Vocal Music at the State Capitol for Arts Advocacy Day, and were invited to sing at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids. Skyline Blues is excited to participate in ICHSA once again and is very thankful for the opportunity to sing together!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah is an alumna of Ladies First A Cappella at Michigan State University and served as the group's music director for three semesters. While Ewurama was in Ladies First, the group advanced to ICCA Great Lakes Semifinals in 2016 and 2017, the latter during her tenure as music director. Ewurama also served as a board member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, of which she is an alumna, and sang in numerous other choirs. She is currently a member of the University of Michigan Law School Chamber Choir.

Jordan Rashaun Bilbrew began his music career in his early childhood, studying classical music since age nine. After seven years of attending performing arts schools, he brought his talents to Florida State University as a leader, arranger, and focal soloist for the award-winning group, All-Night Yahtzee. There, he competed in many ICCA and Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) competitions, including an appearance in the 2016 ICCA Finals. Upon graduation, Jordan began as the lead tenor for New York City’s award-winning professional a cappella group, Backtrack Vocals. He has toured, competed, filmed numerous YouTube videos, and was even invited to headline Sing Strong A Cappella Festival. He is presently on a break from performing professionally to pursue a career in medicine, but is still very passionate about a cappella education!

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 CASA festivals.

Mason Van Gieson is an actor, vocalist, and clinician based in New York City. You might know her as the creative director of women's a cappella collective VICE (@viceacappella) or as a member of professional group HRMNX (@hrmnxofficial) or New York City's BLACKOUT (@blackout_nyc). No stranger to ICCA, she is an alumna of the University of Michigan’s Amazin’ Blue and progressed with them to ICCA Finals, choreographing their cinematic set “Chasing Love.” In addition to performing, Mason serves as a clinician for scholastic vocal groups around the nation, with a particular focus in helping students find the “why” behind their music. For more: @masongvang www.masonvangieson.com

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 ICHSA 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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