2024 ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal @ Jenison Center for the Arts

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 GREAT LAKES QUARTERFINAL

Jenison Center for the Arts
Saturday, February 3rd, 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

Established in 2002, Fish N Chips stands as a remarkable testament to the rich musical life at Central Michigan University. As the oldest contemporary a cappella group on campus, they have spent over two decades cultivating a legacy of vocal excellence and showmanship that continues to live through the hearts of the current members and their loyal audience. Their journey has been marked by a seamless blend of classic and contemporary music, captivating audiences from various walks of life and across generations. Fish N Chips recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with various alumni and reflected on the group's origin, their ups and downs, and how it brought modern a cappella music to their school. The current group is filled with excitement and determination for their next 20 years. Fish N Chips invites you to join them on this ongoing melodious odyssey as they explore the boundless horizons of music along with the enduring magic of harmony and friendship. With the past as their foundation and the future as their canvas, Fish N Chips is poised to create a symphony of memories that will echo for years to come. Thank you for being part of their incredible journey!

Grand Valley State University’s Euphoria is a tight-knit, fun-loving, competitive group of all voice parts. The group takes pride in their sound, performing in various concerts and appearances around the GVSU and Grand Rapids community. They have made their mark in multiple competitions through the years, competing in both ICCA and VoiceJam festivals in 2023. This year, Euphoria welcomes seven extremely talented new members to the stage. Outside of rehearsals, Euphoria loves to spend time together playing games, going on fun adventures, and bringing the house down for Karaoke Tuesday at their local pub. Euphoria members have become a family and they absolutely love to spend time together and share their craft. When you listen to Euphoria perform, you will experience Euphoria yourself.

GrooVe is an auditioned co-ed a cappella group from Grand Valley State University. GrooVe has been singing on Grand Valley's campus and in the surrounding Grand Rapids area since 2009, singing in talent shows, competing at A Cappella-Offs, and performing gigs throughout their community. When not singing, you can probably find them eating half-off apps at Applebee’s or enjoying group movie nights!

State of Fifths is an award-winning co-ed a cappella group that was founded in the fall of 2008 at Michigan State University. This diverse group of undergraduate students comes together from all different majors to make amazing music and incredible memories. State of Fifths performs a wide variety of music, all arranged by members of the group! You can find them rehearsing twice a week on MSU's campus, working hard to sound their best for every show, gig, and competition!

Capital Green A Cappella is Michigan State University’s oldest all-gender a cappella group on this side of the Red Cedar River. Known on and off the stage for their infectious energy and tight-knit friendships, Cap Green fully embraces their 25-year legacy. In a group that dedicates several weekly rehearsals to perfecting their harmonies, the phrase "getting sick of each other" simply doesn't apply. In fact, an enduring group inside joke suggests they rehearse seven days a week, reflecting just how close they are outside of their formal practice sessions. This dedication to their community and musicianship makes them stand out onstage. If you like what you hear tonight, they encourage you to follow them on Instagram @MSUCapitalGreen and stream their brand-new EP, Vitality, on all streaming platforms.

The Accafellas is Michigan State University’s award-winning, tenor-bass a cappella group. Since 1996, The Accafellas have been proudly showcasing their strong musicianship and unique personality in various concerts and community events. They hope to entertain you with tight harmonies, slapping rhythms, and a boisterous stage presence. The Accafellas is 15 members strong this year and all of them hope you enjoy their performance.

Ladies First A Cappella from Michigan State University is the premier and only all-treble a cappella group on campus. Their favorite genre to sing is pop, but also love indie music and R&B. Their motto is "honest, grounded, powerful,” and they honor that by supporting one another and creating a beautiful community in which all members feel they have a space on campus where they belong. Ladies First believes in uplifting women's voices through the art of a cappella and they love singing songs written by women. The group members push themselves creatively by learning new voice parts, honing vocal percussion skills, and arranging songs. A cappella is a big time commitment, but the group members are happy to rehearse every week because they love the space they created on campus. Ladies First is a diverse group including various majors, ages, and walks of life. The group’s executive board consists of co-president and business manager Jackie Cimino, co-president and music director, Alivia Young, treasurer Khushi Gooroochurn, and secretary Kate Dooley. Ladies First last participated in the 2020 ICCA was in 2020, where they won 2nd place at their Midwest Quarterfinal.

On The Rox is an all-treble a cappella group from Central Michigan University. They perform various songs, including one of their favorites, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” You can see them perform around campus at different events, including their fall concert at the Broadway Theater. ICCA is one of their biggest events of the year and they have high hopes for this season! On the Rox comes together three times a week to rehearse and share their love of music. Many friendships and memories have been made over the past 20 years in this group and they hope to continue for many more to come.

Treblemakers has competed in ICCA four times: twice at University of Chicago (2014 and 2017), once at the University of Wisconsin Madison (2019), and once at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (2022). In their 2014 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal, Treblemakers was awarded 3rd Place and Outstanding Soloist for Sam Garcia’s solo in “忽然之间 (Suddenly).” In addition to competing, the group also embarks on out-of-state tours, a cultural exchange between the group and global audience through a mutual love of music. They perform for alumni, friends and family, and educational workshops and performances at local high schools and universities. In 2016, Treblemakers toured Asia, visiting Seoul, Beijing, and Hong Kong. They also toured California in 2018 and 2023, visiting schools in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Nearly 20 years since its founding, The Treblemakers continue to bring together diverse singers through the power of performance, sharing music that inspires their audiences to think. They hope to celebrate a space where cross-cultural education, musicianship, and storytelling can thrive altogether.

Gold Vibrations is the premier a cappella group at Oakland University, established in 2009. They love performing music that connects with both group members and their audience. Throughout the year, they perform at numerous events in the Oakland County area and they have concerts twice a year to showcase their repertoire. This year’s group has 13 people, each one as different from the next as they are talented. After rehearsals, you can find them enjoying one another's company with some half-off apps at their local Applebee’s. They are so excited to take the stage and make music together again!

GUEST PERFORMERS

For five years, From The Top has represented the best of the best musicians at Northview High School! Their late-night rehearsals bring laughter and friendship to their choir room in Grand Rapids, despite the tiring sports practices, musical rehearsals, and homework assignments that took place beforehand. Their tradition of hard work and incredible musicianship has led them to an ICHSA Quarterfinal win in 2020, a Runner-Up spot in 2023, a debut EP in 2021, and a trip to Boston for the BOSS a cappella festival in 2023!

Orion's Belt is an up and coming a cappella group hailing from Grand Ledge High School. They had the opportunity to compete in ICHSA last year for the first time and were lucky enough to progress to Semifinals. This year's iteration of the group is composed of 18 members that are out of this world. Each member is uniquely themselves, allowing them to create a wonderful blend of sound.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Conductor and bass-baritone Dusty Francis enjoys an active career as a performer, clinician, and educator across both the United States and the United Kingdom. He currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor. Past roles have included musical leadership of the New York City Master Chorale, London's The Fourth Choir, and the Brooklyn-based Park Slope Singers, as well as classroom teaching positions with the American School in London and Collegiate School in New York City. Dusty has directed and arranged for high school, university, and adult ensembles. Dusty holds a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Josh Huls is an arranger, composer, and music director originally from Grand Island, Neb. While studying music education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he sang with and directed The UNL Bathtub Dogs. Since graduation, he has been working full-time as an arranger/composer for a variety of musical groups in California, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and New York. Best of luck to all the competitors today. May the aca-Gods be with you.

Megan Smania is an accomplished ensemble singer with experience in classical, contemporary, musical theatre, and pop. She received her bachelor’s degree in music from the Univeristy of Michigan and was a member of the co-ed a cappella group Amazin’ Blue. During her time as music director, she arranged their set and led the group to become 2017 ICCA Wildcard Champions and ultimately place 4th at ICCA Finals in New York City. She then got her Master of Music at the University of Cambridge, where she was also a member of the award-winning Choir of Trinity College Cambridge. She has judged ICCA Quarterfinal and Semifinal competitions in the U.K. and U.S. since 2018 and sings with various professional groups in southeast Michigan. Megan is delighted to be judging today!

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Joseph Aquino, Jenison Center for the Arts and Brian Bennink, Svenja Penic Schippers, Daniel Dade, Jack Phillipson, Lane Wallis, Orion's Belt, and From the Top; 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 Great Lakes 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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