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 SEMIFINAL
The Pabst Theatre
Saturday, March 16th, 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
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.
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.
The Undertones is a competitive co-ed a cappella group that was founded in 2001 at Northwestern University. They love to sing, laugh, and bust a move, and have toured both nationally and internationally to places like Barcelona, San Francisco, and Fort Lauderdale. In 2016, they performed at The White House! Affectionately called The Tones, they have loved competing in the ICCA throughout almost their entire history. In 2022, The Undertones won their ICCA Quarterfinal and took home Outstanding Soloist, Outstanding Arrangement, and Outstanding Choreography. As one alumna put it best, “The Undertones take their music very seriously, and themselves not seriously at all.”
Founded in 2013, Urban Sound is a student-run, gender-inclusive a cappella ensemble at the University of Minnesota. The group provides singers an opportunity to combine their love of singing with meaningful outreach. Urban Sound entertains audiences from both the U of M and greater Twin Cities area with concerts, events, and benefits. Urban Sound strives to be a part of the community through service and awareness of local issues. Each year, the group collectively selects a charity they all strongly support and a portion of the season's showcase proceeds go towards this respected foundation. They pride themselves in their shared love for music and are happy to consider their fellow members as family!
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!
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.
Clef Hangers was the first mixed a cappella group at Illinois State University founded in August 2008 by a small group of ambitious students who shared a passion for a cappella music. Since its formation, the group has lost and gained various members, who have made the group what it is today. The group has competed in ICCA for the last seven years and have won numerous awards such as Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement. Outside of performing, the group is very close and loves to spend time together doing various non-music activities.
No Comment is a 14-member, all-gender a cappella group hailing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This group of best friends shares a passion for music and creating together. NoCo has been wowing audiences for two decades and has no intention of slowing down any time soon. They reached ICCA Finals in 2013 and have been perennial Semifinalists ever since, releasing multiple studio albums, EPs, and singles along the way. With new projects and releases on the horizon, NoCo is sure to leave you wanting more!
7Days A Cappella is the oldest group on the University of Minnesota campus with a rich history of musical talent, performance ability, and national presence. All genders are welcome to audition. Founded in 2003 by Anthony Brown and Brienne Foyt, 7Days began as an opportunity for students to come together and connect through a shared love of music and performance. Today, the group competes annually in ICCA and has a history of success. In 2023, the group took 3rd place at Quarterfinals and won Outstanding Vocal Percussion. 7Days A Cappella works hard to create musical connections on campus and across the region. The group frequently performs at concerts, galas, professional events, meetings, charity performances, and high schools around the Twin Cities region. 7Days also works to expand the U of M a cappella presence by connecting with other groups from the U of M and universities across the nation. In previous academic years, 7Days has traveled to Boston to perform with Distilled Harmony, New York City to watch the ICCA Finals, and Los Angeles to connect with a cappella groups from UCLA.
The Marquette Naturals is Marquette’s oldest a cappella group. Founded in 2003, they had a great time celebrating their 20th anniversary last year! The Naturals love performing, catching a vibe, and the pain that comes with tying a bow tie. In 2019, they won their Quarterfinal and hope to impress again this year. They are so excited to be back at the ICCA!
GUEST PERFORMER
Pitches & Notes is the competitive treble a cappella group based out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Pitches & Notes was founded in 2009 and this will be their ninth year participating in the ICCA. They are returning this year after being named ICCA Champions at the 2022 ICCA Finals. This is an experience they look forward to every year and they are excited to return with new members and share their music!
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Dr. John Bragle is a former member and coach of The Michigan State University Accafellas, and in addition to several high school a cappella groups, has provided arrangements for MSU’s Capital Green, University of Michigan's The Friars, and SUNY Buffalo’s Royal Pitches. From 2005-2022, he served as Director of Choirs and Instructor of Voice at Interlochen Center for the Arts Academy and Camp. Currently, he is the Director of Community Programs at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where he supervises more than 50 music teaching artists who provide instruction to more than 12,000 students across southeast Wisconsin who would otherwise have no access to music education.
Heather David is a proud alumna of Syracuse University's Main Squeeze, for whom she sang, arranged, choreographed, and did vocal percussion. Since graduating, Heather has remained active in the a cappella world as social media coordinator for Boston Sings (BOSS), Program Manager of Social Media for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), associate producer of Voices Only, and an instructor for workshops and masterclasses at a cappella festivals nationwide. She has won ICCA awards for Outstanding Arrangement and Outstanding Vocal Percussion as a college student and Varsity Vocals has held a special place in her heart ever since.
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.
Molly Pufall-Brown is happy to be judging for Varsity Vocals again this year. She was a member of the Millikin University OneVoice group that won the ICCA Champion title in 2004. She holds an M.M. from Northern Illinois University and taught full-time at the collegiate level for eight years in Milwaukee, Wis. She currently works at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and directs a church choir in Brookfield, Wis. Molly is also a founding member of The Marion Consort, a professional Chicago-based early music ensemble. She thrives on educating people about the art and aesthetics of singing with others, particularly in small ensembles.
Ben Saunders teaches choir and music at Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Ill. At LTHS, he directs six ensembles, including the contemporary a cappella group Vocal Point. Vocal Point has placed at the ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinals, competed in the ICHSA Wildcard round, and has been featured on the BOHSA compilation album. Ben graduated with distinction from Northern Arizona University with a Master of Music and received the award for NAU Outstanding Graduate in Master of Music. He served as artistic director of the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, the Arizona Mountain Chorale, and the NAU Men’s Chorale. Ben has sung professionally with choral groups including Cor Cantiamo and the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. He has performed onstage with notable artists including Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Sarah Brightman, The Real Group, and New York Voices.
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Elise Hackl-Blumstein, Amanda Newman, Bryan Pennington, Andie Poole, Elise Schroeder, McKinley Uelmen, Robyn Schultz and the staff of the Pabst Theatre, Audio Max, and all of our incredible Great Lakes 2024 competitors; 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 placing group at this event will advance to the 2024 ICCA Finals.
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!
#ICCA