2024 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal @ Harrison High School

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 MIDWEST QUARTERFINAL

Harrison High School
Saturday, March 2nd, 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 a Side Note was first established in 2016 in Indianapolis at IUPUI by founder Hanna Beers. Today, they remain IUPUI’s one and only a cappella group. On A Side Note includes vocal percussionists who perform a variety of songs, ranging from pop, R&B, and hip hop. They aim to provide a comfortable environment for students who enjoy singing, no matter their musical background. They strive to inspire, motivate, and grow their craft together.

Just Duet is the only co-ed a cappella group on Miami University's campus, originally founded in 2013. The group is made up of talented and diverse members who love to make music and put on a good show. JD sings anything from R&B to pop, from country to funk, and they love to showcase their style in every song they bring to the stage. At Miami, Just Duet performs in seasonal fall, winter, and spring concerts each year. They enjoy performing around town for local community and school-related gigs and traveling to other schools for invitational concerts. They have been competing in the ICCA since 2020 and were ecstatic to place 2nd at their Midwest Quarterfinal last year. They had a blast performing in St. Louis at Semifinals and can't wait to see what this year brings. Just Duet hopes you enjoy tonight’s show.

Introducing Mount St. Joseph University's Voices of Gold (VOG), where passion meets performance! Led by director/choreographer Kelsey DeMange with arrangements by Nicholas Wright, VOG's latest set takes you on a journey of love, temptation, and heartbreak. More than just an a cappella group, VOG is a force igniting Mount St. Joseph University with unparalleled talent and boundless creativity. Catch them hitting up campus tours and electrifying university concerts and stay tuned for their upcoming music video, showcasing their innovative style and game-changing approach. As they take the stage for their second ICCA, Voices of Gold is honored to share this musical journey with such incredibly talented competitors. To all performers, break a leg and may the harmonies of success resonate for each and every one of you today!

EQ Blu is one of the many vocal ensembles in the Department of Music at Murray State University. Their director, Dr. Christopher Mitchell, is a member of the voice faculty and founded the group in 2014. EQ Blu was honored to perform at the National A Cappella Convention’s (NACC) collegiate showcase in 2019 and again in 2022. They have also performed at the Briarcrest A Cappella Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. several times. This is their first time participating in ICCA since 2018.

Forged in the sun-scorched mountains of Columbus, Ohio, Buck That!, a masc-identifying a cappella group from The Ohio State University, takes the Midwest by storm. The group is full of voices that are smooth like butter, sliding down a hot, fluffy stack of aca-pancakes. Established in 2010, they have performed all across the East Coast and Midwest, and have earned many ICCA accolades. Buck That! is made up of 16 unique singers that come together to form one energetic and soulful voice. As a tightly-knit community, the group emphasizes companionship, good energy, and strong musical prowess. While teaching music through tenor and bass voices is their goal, Buck That! is truly a family. They perform music from many different genres, eras, and arrangers, all to compliment the group’s sound. This year’s set explores the nuances of life, death, and grief. With a blend of pop and traditional choral music, Buck That! is excited to share a message that is traditionally suppressed by men. As a masc-identifying group, Buck That! hopes their audience finds this message as gratifying as they do. They hope this set will “buck” you up!

Founded in 2017, The Flying Solos is a "no- fella" a cappella group made up of undergraduate students from The University of Dayton. Members of this group come from all different majors, from future teachers to future physicians, and various musical backgrounds. This "no-fella a cappella group" is constantly striving to grow as performers and musicians. The Flying Solos seek to develop their individual musical skills and come together as an ensemble to perform both within their community and in competitions. They pride themselves on their love of music and for the family they have created. This will be The Flying Solos’ fourth time appearing on the ICCA stage and they cannot wait! They want to wish their fellow a cappella groups the best as they hit the stage and share their amazing talents!

Underscore is a co-ed collegiate-level a cappella group from the University of Dayton. This group of talented undergraduates encompasses a diverse range of majors. Underscore is uniquely warm and welcoming to anyone who has the interest and the drive to make music with a group. They sing a wide variety of music, from indie to pop to anything in between.

Avocalypse is the University of Cincinnati’s first all-female and nonbinary competitive a cappella group. The group was founded in 2017 with a goal to empower people with powerful voices. The group strives to create opportunities for its members to come together and feel empowered doing the thing that they love. They have performed in various regional showcases, events, and art expositions on campus and in the Greater Cincinnati Area. The group specializes in pop and rock, with a hint of jazz and R&B flair to their selections. Avocalypse has competed in ICCA since 2018. In 2022, they were named ICCA Midwest Semifinalists for the first time in group history, also winning Outstanding Arrangement at Quarterfinals.

The University of Cincinnati Vocaholics is addictively a cappella! Established in 2014, The Vocaholics is UC's premier competitive a cappella group. Specializing in pop with arrangements made from scratch, they welcome performers of all genders, classes, and colleges within the university. The Vocaholics started as a group of friends who simply wanted to sing together and although they have evolved, that mission remains the same. Therefore, they pride themselves in creating an environment where they blend their sound and personalities for great performance vibes, while maintaining professionalism and poise! This detail-oriented group aims to take their audience through a subtle story of emotions through their set. You may also notice an abundance of their group colors: burgundy, silver, and black!

The Audio Pilots is the University of Dayton’s only tenor-bass group. Founded in 2014, The Audio Pilots consists of 11 undergraduate singers from a diverse range of backgrounds and majors. The Pilots pride themselves on learning and performing a wide range of musical genres, from pop to indie to classic rock and everything in between, while bonding as a group both on and offstage. No strangers to the spotlight, The Audio Pilots cannot wait to take the ICCA stage for their seventh consecutive year. For 10 years now, the group’s mission has been to build community, both on and off campus, through music.

Remedy is a co-ed contemporary a cappella group from the University of Dayton. Founded in 2012, Remedy is their school’s first a cappella group and regularly travels, competes, and wins awards in different competitive circuits. They were the ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal Champions in both 2019 and 2020, as well as Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes National Finalists in 2020. Remedy was also the Audience Favorite at Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes in 2020 and 2022. Individual members have achieved several special awards for their performances. Remedy's EP, The Compilation, was released in the summer of 2021. Remedy loves sharing their passion for a cappella and is grateful for every opportunity to entertain audiences across the country.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Christopher Andres attended The Ohio State University and studied music education and music performance. He also was a member of The Ohio State University Men's Glee Club and University Chorus. Chris has been singing and playing the piano since he was 5 years old and also plays flute, tenor saxophone, baritone, and trombone. Chris has performed on numerous stages around the world as both an instrumentalist and vocalist. He currently serves as the music coordinator and music director at Oakland Church of the Brethren where he directs the bell choir, adult choir, women's choir, and the contemporary praise band. He is currently in his sixth year at Greenville Senior High School in Greenville, Ohio as the assistant vocal music director and accompanist.

Kelly Korpusik has enjoyed working with the students at Centerville High School since 2016. Currently the head choral director at CHS, she has the privilege of directing all four choirs and Forte A Cappella during the school day, along with Summit A Cappella and music-directing their school musicals after hours. She received her Bachelor of Music in vocal music education from Miami University in 1999. She started her music career teaching general music for grades one through six in the Winton Woods School district. During this time, she was also on staff with the Cincinnati Children's Choir at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Kelly has taught private piano and voice lessons for over 20 years and has performed professionally with the Cincinnati Camerata. Music has always been a big part of her life and she loves getting to share it with her students.

Ben Spalding is a former choir director and founder of Forte. Forte is a four-time Runner-Up and the 2016 Champion of ICHSA Finals. He is an avid supporter of a cappella music, and wrote a book with Deke Sharon and Brody McDonald, called "A Cappella" (available on Amazon and other resellers). Ben is also a founding member of the A Cappella Education Association (ACEA) and is associated with several other a cappella organizations. He is a sought-after clinician and continues to travel the country workshopping a cappella groups. Ben also founded professional group, Vocalight, and is bringing them back in 2024.

Jeremy Witt is an educator, conductor, and performer from Hilliard, Ohio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education from Cedarville University and a master's degree in music education from Kent State University. At Cedarville, Jeremy founded the school's first contemporary a cappella group, The Inversions, and served as music director/president for four years. Jeremy currently serves as the Director of Choirs at Hilliard Bradley High School, conducting the symphonic choir and tenor-bass concert choir. In addition to his responsibilities at Bradley, Jeremy directs the seventh and eighth grade tenor-bass choir at Memorial Middle School. Alongside his coworkers Alyssa Schott and Kelsey Burkett, Jeremy established the Jaguar A Cappella program. This program boasts four contemporary a cappella groups, including one middle school group, Blue Notes, and three high school groups, WAVE, ECHO, and the award-winning Shades of Blue. In 2023, Shades of Blue won the ICHSA!

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

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 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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