2024 ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal @ University of Michigan

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

University of Michigan
Saturday, February 17th, 2024

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 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

Summit Street A Cappella was founded in 2019 as Eastern Michigan University’s first TTBB a cappella group. Founding members Trevor Miner, Andrew Richardson, and Parker Lazar saw a need for this type of group on campus and pooled their former knowledge and a cappella experience to make it happen. Now in their fifth Year, Summit Street’s accomplishments include the release of their debut album, Maroon, three ICCA appearances, singing the national anthem for The Detroit Pistons, and a new EP in the works. For more information on their upcoming events, follow the socials @summitstreetemu!

Emerald Harmony is a group of bakers, artists, teachers, readers, fidget toy enthusiasts, poets, and musicians who sing together every Monday and Wednesday night! This group of treble voices performs music from various genres, including pop, rock, and indie. Their love of singing brought them together and they’re now a large group of friends who enjoy performing and hanging out together during their free time. Here's to another year of aca-bopping fun!

The Expressions from Macomb Community College is a long-established elite ensemble on campus originally designed to perform a variety of jazz music, either accompanied or a cappella. In 2017, the group transitioned to focus on contemporary a cappella music. Members are selected through auditions and are students of the music program at the community college. The ensemble performs at the college’s Extravaganza Shows, as pre-show entertainment in the lobby of the college PAC, and throughout the community

Maize Mirchi is the University of Michigan’s premier fusion a cappella group. Performing on and off campus and competing all across the nation, Mirchi operates by the motto "South Asian-inspired, but never required." Last year, they placed 1st at ICCA Semifinals in Milwaukee and competed at ICCA Finals in New York! Aspiring to build a beautiful musically inclined family full of love and mutual respect, Maize Mirchi is so excited to capture your ears and your hearts!

Amazin’ Blue (or AB for short) is the oldest all-gender a cappella group at the University of Michigan. With over 36 years of existence, AB has explored all the realms of aca-bilities, producing award-winning competition sets, recording 16 studio albums, performing at venues throughout the nation, and even painting themselves blue for their “Amazin' Blue Man Group” concert in 2011. AB is passionate about pushing the boundaries of contemporary vocal music, telling stories with their performances, and challenging themselves in the process. Three decades of history comes with many transformations, but the core principles of AB remain constant: take care of one another, take creative risks, and take a few musical theatre kids. Beyond competing and performing for the University, AB's ultimate goal is to inspire a love of a cappella in their audiences!

The DJs is a fun-loving, goofy, diverse group of students, and while all members come from different sides of campus, they share the same intense passion for making music! Known for experimenting with all different types of genres and sounds, this incredibly close musical family thrives on pushing boundaries and trying new things. While they prioritize fostering a fun and inclusive environment for all group members, audiences, and friends, they also compete in the ICCA, where they snagged 1st place at Great Lakes Quarterfinals in 2020 and 2nd place in both 2019 and 2022. They are also seven-time ICCA Semifinalists and hold their own biannual concerts! They most recently recorded their 2023 ICCA set in their new EP, Confessions, which is streaming on all platforms!

The Sopranos is a fun-loving, tight-knit treble a cappella group at the University of Michigan, united by their commitment to musical excellence and long-lasting friendships. Their members come from all over campus but share a deep love for music. Founded in 2001, this hard-working family of passionate musicians records their own music and aims to positively impact the world of collegiate a cappella.

Founded in 1979, The Harmonettes is proud to be the first all-treble a cappella group at the University of Michigan. With their unique sound, these passionate musicians pride themselves on their inclusivity, tight-knit friendships, and innovative music. Outside of rehearsals in the Bell Tower, they can be found studying late at the Union Panera, feeling supported by their favorite stuffed cow, and bonding over their love for Lizzy McAlpine. The Harmonettes are so excited to be back competing at ICCA and to share the stage with other talented groups tonight.

58 Greene is a multicultural, all-gender a cappella group at the University of Michigan and takes pride in their talented soloists, incredible group dynamic, and excellent merch. Their emphasis on tight-knit bonds translates to their cohesive, self-arranged sets that have graced the Ann Arbor campus since 1993. Performing a variety of genres from pop and R&B to funk and alternative rock, 58 Greene continues to elevate their sound in every song they perform.

Melodytroit is Wayne State University’s only a cappella group and aims to bring the spirit of Detroit in their sound. None of the group’s current members have attended ICCA before, so this is a completely new experience. Their board has worked tirelessly to get the group competition-ready and they are excited for the journey. Under the supervision of student music director Lauren Crossman, president Melina Pardales, and board members Braeden Milbrandt, Thearin Dawson, and Ysabella Macalino, this group has transformed in their short time together as a whole group. Since the group was reformed, they have sung the national anthem at a Detroit Pistons game, held multiple student performances, and revamped their outdated social media presence. Wayne State University is known for its diverse student body and Melodytroit centers diversity and inclusion in their mission, striving to be a safe space for all group members and honoring their identities in performance. Their choreographers have worked hard to incorporate dance into this year’s setlist, a first-time endeavor since the group’s reformation. Melodytroit’s passion for music and their city inspires them to represent Detroit at the ICCA!

GUEST PERFORMER

The G-Men, or Gentlemen for long, is an all-male a cappella group at the University of Michigan. Since their founding in 1995, The G-Men have performed for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, sang the national anthem for the Detroit Pistons and Tigers, competed in four ICCA Finals, and entertained audiences throughout the Ann Arbor community, the state of Michigan and around the country. They can all read minds, work out a lot, and are super charismatic. When not performing, you can catch The G-Men having sauna nights, comparing triceps, or taking board games way too seriously.

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 with numerous other choirs. She is currently a member of the University of Michigan Law School Chamber Choir. She loves a cappella and is excited to support the students who care about this art form!

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.

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 Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) festivals.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank tonight's sound engineer Joseph Aquino, The University of Michigan, Jacob Wesolek, the staff of Hill Auditorium, The Michigan G-Men, and all our volunteers; 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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