2024 ICCA Central Quarterfinal @ University of Waterloo

DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome to Varsity Vocals’ 28th 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 650 groups and over 10,000 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 28 years ago and we can’t wait to see how our 2024 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 CENTRAL QUARTERFINAL

University of Waterloo
Saturday, January 20th, 2024

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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 27th.

The high school tournament is now in its 19th 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 26th.

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

On That Note is Toronto Metropolitan University's award-winning a cappella group for women and queer performers! Founded in 2020, On That Note boasts a unique sound, an outside-the-box artistic vision, and a repertoire of songs originally performed by women and queer artists. This vibrant group bonds over a shared love for singing and one another, as well as a passion for creating unique sets that deliver a powerful message. Thrust into the pandemic just a few months after its founding, On That Note adapted to the creative challenges of making music remotely while providing a safe space for women and queer performers. During the group’s in-person ICCA debut in 2023, On That Note earned the title of ICCA Central Champion and advanced to Finals with a powerful, narrative-driven set that explored the complexities of generational trauma and the unwavering spirit of resilience. They hope to carry on their legacy of dedication and heart into the 2024 ICCA season!

RESONATE is a competitive a cappella team from Toronto Metropolitan University based in Toronto, Canada. They placed 1st at ICCA Quarterfinals for two consecutive years: in 2021, for their pop medley “Money, Everywhere,” and in 2022, for their all-original set “A Matter of Time.” RESONATE members have also earned ICCA awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Outstanding Mix, Outstanding Videography, Outstanding Choreography, and Outstanding Vocal Percussion. Since their formation in 2013, the group has performed at various concerts and events throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including the Parados Festival and the Toronto Christmas Market. They also produce virtual covers, which can be found on social media @resonatetoronto. Over the years, their repertoire has grown to include diverse genres, from pop to R&B to popular soundtracks, and spellbinding sets that transport audiences on a storytelling journey. Beyond accolades and awards, RESONATE is a collective of talented individuals and close friends who are passionate about music, with members who release their own work and perform solo at various events. RESONATE is very excited to participate in the ICCA once again and is honoured to be representing Canada in this international competition.

Surround Sound is an award-winning all-gender a cappella group at the University of Toronto and recently won 2nd place at the 2022 ICCA Central Quarterfinals. Drawing on a variety of styles within pop and R&B, they pride themselves on featuring hidden gems and original music that will leave you wanting more! Founded under the faculty of music, they are an all-faculty group, ranging from music students to computer engineers. They love to create music and share their passion with everyone!

WIBI A Cappella is an a cappella student group based at York University in Toronto, Ontario. They are Canada's longest running collegiate a cappella group, having just celebrated their 35th anniversary. Previously known as WIBI Jazzin', the current group performs more contemporary music such as pop and R&B, with the occasional hint of other genres, and includes members from various faculties. WIBI A Cappella is a previous ICCA Semifinalist and looks forward to returning to the ICCA stage for the first time since 2021.

Hawkapella is Wilfrid Laurier University's first a cappella group! They are a group of talented and passionate individuals who love to sing and represent many faculties across campus. Their repertoire is arranged by current and past members and includes a variety of genres, such as pop, film soundtracks, indie, hip-hop, and funk, to name a few. Hawkapella performs in their own concerts at the end of each term at Laurier, at football games, and for Valentine's Day. The group is fresh off of a 1st place win at a competition hosted by Queen's University in spring 2023 and they’re excited for another season of being aca-amazing!

In Full Colour is an award-winning mixed-voice group based in the University of Waterloo. Founded in fall 2017 with the aim of pushing the boundaries of a cappella, In Full Colour has since won multiple accolades, including three ICCA Quarterfinal Championship titles and an ICCA Semifinal Runner-Up title in 2018. With a focus on combining music and choreography into masterful storytelling, In Full Colour aims to give their audiences unique and emotional experiences. As a natural extension of this goal, In Full Colour started creating original pieces during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to tell their own personal stories. When In Full Colour is not competing in the ICCA, many group members pursue their own creative projects, resulting in mashups of familiar songs, experimental music production projects, and vulnerable lyrics that tell deeply personal stories. They are especially encouraged to collaborate and foster a creative community that extends well beyond university. These projects premiere annually at their coffeehouse in an opportunity for members to showcase their creative pursuits and demonstrate their growth over eight months with the group.

The Musical InterDudes is a small-sized mixed-voice auditioned group from the University of Waterloo with a focus on musical comedy. Founded in fall 2014, The Dudes is a close-knit community with a focus on tight harmonies and a commitment to pushing the envelope of what a cappella means. They strongly emphasize member input and strive to incorporate everyone’s ideas into tear-producing, knee-slapping, rolling-on-the-floor-laughing sets they create for end-of-term concerts, gigs, and anything else you can imagine. They are also known for exploring music from a variety of genres, with a recent emphasis on nostalgia-inducing soundtracks from TV shows and movies! The Musical InterDudes performed for the first time on the ICCA stage in 2017 and won Outstanding Choreography at their 2018 ICCA Quarterfinal. They look forward to tugging on your heartstrings, tickling your funny bone, and overall giving a performance to remember!

The AcaBellas is the University of Waterloo's first upper-voice a cappella group. The AcaBellas was the first a cappella ensemble at Waterloo to incorporate choreography as a major part of their performances. The AcaBellas aim to enrich the Kitchener–Waterloo area through a cappella, performing genres ranging from well-known pop songs to obscure indie tracks. The AcaBellas aim to share a message of empowerment and represent upper-voiced singers within the a cappella community. They also promote well-rounded a cappella development for their members through their arranging, beatboxing, and choreography teams.

The Unaccompanied Minors is a mixed-voice, auditioned a cappella group from the University of Waterloo who have been belting out bangers since 2009. They love delivering powerful, passionate, and high-energy performances that span genres from top 40 hits to indie to R&B. Focusing on blend, musicality, and performance, they have been spreading the aca-love wherever they go, from the Kitchener-Waterloo area to Toronto to the United States. In 2020, The Unaccompanied Minors placed 2nd at ICCA Central Quarterfinals, where their members won awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement. In 2021, they remotely competed in the ICCA, where they placed 2nd at Quarterfinals and received special awards for Outstanding Vocal Percussion and Outstanding Videography. They advanced to Semifinals and placed 3rd, also receiving the Outstanding Mix award!

The Water Boys is the University of Waterloo A Cappella Club's lower-voiced a cappella group, founded in 2008. With a repertoire ranging from ballads and classics to pop hits, The Water Boys have competed in ICCA for over 13 years. They were ICCA Finalists in 2017 and most recently placed 3rd in their 2023 ICCA Quarterfinal at the University of Waterloo.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Kristen Antunes is a musician and music industry professional based in Toronto, Canada. She is a graduate from the University of Toronto’s Master of Music Technology and Digital Media program and holds a Bachelor of Music from the same institution. She brings extensive experience from across the Canadian entertainment industry, including music rights management, artist management, publishing, and digital media development, and currently works as an Account Executive with Canadian performing rights organization, SOCAN. She was recently selected as a participant for Women in Music Canada’s inaugural Leadership Accelerator programming, beginning this January. Kristen is a staunch advocate for music rights and fair compensation for artistic work and is an accomplished arranger, songwriter, performer, and clinician. She regularly writes commissioned arrangements for schools across Canada and acts as a producer for several Toronto-based artists. Recent projects include working with Grammy winners Jimmy Webb and Thelma Houston for a vocal arrangement of, "Someone is Standing Outside," and Danielle Sum's debut EP, Still, Softness, funded in part by the Canada Council for the Arts. More information can be found at her website: https://www.antunesmusic.com/

Brandon Burgess, a native of Western New York, received his B.M. in music education, and M.M. in music performance (clarinet), at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. While there, Brandon spent several semesters in the co-ed cappella group, The Potsdam Pitches. He held several board positions while in the group. Most notably, Brandon was president of The Pitches when they were named ICCA Central Champions and advanced to the 2018 ICCA Finals. An active teacher and performer, Brandon teaches elementary band in the North Tonawanda City School District and maintains a dynamic private studio. He currently serves as the Niagara County Music Educators Association vice president, and performs regularly with the Erie County Wind Ensemble (E-flat and B-flat clarinet) and as a woodwind specialist in many Buffalo area pit orchestras. Brandon wishes luck to all groups competing in ICCA and ICHSA competitions this season! Go Bills!

Allison Cranmer is a graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with degrees in music education and mathematics. While at Potsdam, Allison music directed and arranged for A Sharp Arrangement, the only all-treble group on campus. As the music director, she led the Sharps to their first-ever ICCA Semifinal, toured around New York State, and recorded several different projects. Currently, Allison is the vocal and general music teacher at Palmyra-Macedon Middle School. She shares her love of a cappella with her students by listening, arranging, and performing a cappella music with them daily.

Bryce Davis is a performer and arts administrator based in Rochester, N.Y. His love for a cappella was ignited in high school by a grainy YouTube video of Rockapella performing "Sixteen Tons," and he never looked back. Bryce studied music theory and history at the University of Rochester, where he sang bass in the Midnight Ramblers and served as creative director of their three-time Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA)-winning 2021 release, Things That You Say. He has also performed and directed with ROC Players Musical Theatre and Wellsville High School's WAVE. He currently serves as the Director of Institutional Partnerships of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Philip Jarosz has appeared on various stages throughout Western New York, including Studio Arena, Artpark, and Lancaster Opera House. He has also performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and in Opera Sacra productions. Philip is a founding member of the The Lake Effect all-male a cappella ensemble, Vocalis, and the Harmonia Chamber Singers. Philip teaches in the Kenmore-Tonawanda school district where he has directed productions of "The Laramie Project," "Six Degrees of Separation," "Sweeney Todd," "Les Miserables," and "The Drowsy Chaperone," to name a few. In 2018, Philip was named Buffalo Theatre Person of the Year.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Bryce Mckracken, Chelsea Perticone, UW A Cappella Club, ACE, Carlos Fernandez, Janelle Rainville, Jennifer Lee, and The Humanities Theater; our judges, hosts, competitors, volunteers, partners, and producers; and you, the audience, for supporting Varsity Vocals programming.

Amanda Newman
Executive Director

Elise Hackl-Blumstein
ICHSA Director
PA/MA Program Coordinator

Dave Rabizadeh
ICCA Director

Emily Sucher
Director of Publications

Lucy Jacobs
ICCA West Producer

Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
ICCA South Producer

Arvin Zabalerio
ICCA Central Producer

Gemma Davies
ICCA United Kingdom Producer

Emily Benjamin
ICCA Northeast Producer

Danielle Sutherland
ICHSA Midwest Producer

Adam McNeil
ICHSA Great Lakes Producer

Cameron Clemens
ICHSA West Producer

Jody Hagler
ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Producer

Bryce McCracken
Associate Producer

Bri Decerio
Associate Producer

Courtney Jensen
Associate Producer
Emcee Extraordinaire

Sara Yood
Senior Producer

Emily Flanders
Director of Adjudication
ICCA Great Lakes Producer

Andrew Poole
Director of Digital Media

Charlotte Taylor
Marketing & Social Strategy

Holli Kitching
ICCA Mid-Atlantic Producer

Leah Alrutz
ICCA Midwest Producer

Bronwyn Jensen
ICCA Southwest Producer

Christopher Witham
ICCA United Kingdom Producer

Jillian Kimberlin
Senior Producer

Christopher Hoffman
ICHSA Northeast Producer

Ben Garza
ICHSA Southwest Producer

Luke Thomas
ICHSA South Producer

Alaina Wegner
Associate Producer

Jake Yoakum
Associate Producer

Rebecca Williamson
Associate Producer

Andrea Poole
Consultant
ICHSA Director Emeritus

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 2024 ICCA Central 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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