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
Liberty High School
Saturday, February 17th, 2024
WE'RE SOCIAL
We're talking about this event, and all of our events around the world!
varsityvocals
@varsityvocals
Follow us @varsityvocals on Facebook and Instagram, and join the conversation using #ICCA
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
Butler A Cappella, representing Butler Community College, is thrilled to make its inaugural performance at the ICCA! These students, irrespective of their majors, are awarded full tuition and book scholarships for their participation in the choir, adding to Butler's established reputation for excellence in show choir and classical music. While this a cappella group may be relatively new, Butler A Cappella is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. They’re ecstatic to extend their reach beyond El Dorado, Kan. and onto the Varsity Vocals stages to learn about and share in the joy of a cappella music outside their area.
The Bare Naked Statues is Saint Louis University's premier all-male a cappella group. Founded in 2000, they have covered songs from a variety of artists, such as Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Frank Sinatra, and even Soulja Boy. The Statues have competed in ICCA for over 10 years, and look forward to it more and more each year! They are grateful for their past experience making it to ICCA Semifinals and Finals, but their true reason for participating is the opportunity to share their passion for music with one another and their audiences. The Statues recently released music on all major streaming platforms and encourages everyone to check out their social media accounts @slu_bns. Lastly, they would like to thank Varsity Vocals for yet another great year of competitive a cappella and wish the best of luck to each and every one of their competitors!
Beyond All Reason, Saint Louis University's trailblazing all-female a cappella ensemble, boasts a rich history that began in 2002. With a legacy spanning two decades, they recently celebrated their 20th birthday, marking a significant milestone in their journey. Since the group’s inception, they have continuously pushed the boundaries of gender representation and musical versatility. Their original roots in 2002 set the stage for Beyond All Reason’s evolution into the dynamic group they are today. With every performance, they reinforce their commitment to celebrating diversity, empowerment, and artistic expression. Their repertoire, inspired by classic rock, R&B, and modern pop, reflects their constant quest to explore new musical horizons. This is a testament to the group’s growth and adaptability over the years, staying true to their founding principles while embracing the evolving landscape of a cappella music. Beyond the stage, Beyond All Reason has always aimed to foster a sense of community at Saint Louis University. Their concerts and annual showcases have been pivotal in uniting students, faculty, and the broader SLU community to celebrate the transformative power of music.
Minor Detail is Truman State University's treble-voiced a cappella group. They have been performing for over 20 years and competing in ICCA for as long as the current group can remember. Every other year, they host an A Cappella Fest at TSU and invite potential ICCA competitors to perform with them. This year’s group includes students from a wide range of degrees, from nursing to classics to business. The a cappella community serves as a home away from home for them to build friendships and foster their shared love for music. Dedicated to the group’s success, the members of Minor Detail spend time outside of rehearsal to practice their music and are self-taught arrangers and vocal percussionists. It's extraordinary to see their arrangers and vocal percussionists improve over their time with Minor Detail. Their all-original arrangements cover music from a variety of genres, but they are currently focused on pop. Minor Detail is and always will be all-treble voices, all a cappella, all the time!
Sweet Nothings is Truman State Univeristy's premier gender-inclusive a capella group. They have placed 3rd at ICCA Midwest Quarterfinals and have released two albums, titled Get Pitch or Die Tryin' and Sweeter Than Sugar.
True Men is the premier all-male a cappella group at Truman State University. Founded in 1997, the current group is composed of 14 student members. In addition to gigs on campus and around town, they sing at A Cappella Fest each year, an event at Truman where other a cappella groups from across the Midwest are invited to sing together in a friendly and noncompetitive way! They also put on annual Christmas concerts, featuring one-of-a-kind skits and arrangements of beloved Christmas carols. At the end of each year, True Men holds a spring concert, serving as the culmination of their work for the year. They have participated in ICCA for many years and placed 1st at their 2017 Midwest Quarterfinal. They compete biannually at the competition and release professional-grade albums on their years off. With only a few exceptions, each of True Men’s songs is arranged by a current or former member of the group. Their mission is to provide entertaining a cappella performances and maintain a fraternal spirit centered around the art of making music. ICCA provides a perfect opportunity for both!
Mizzou Forte proudly stands as the premier co-ed a cappella group at the University of Missouri, specializing in the captivating world of pop music. For many years, they have been representing their school in the ICCA with enthusiasm and dedication. They’ve built a reputation for delivering electrifying performances, thrilling audiences with their captivating harmonies and infectious energy. Their repertoire spans a wide range of pop hits, from the latest chart-toppers to timeless classics. They take pride in their ability to reinvent these songs with a unique a cappella twist, helping their performances resonate with audiences. Mizzou Forte is also a close-knit family and the group members share bonds of friendship, laughter, and a common love for music. Together, they’ve cultivated their musical talents, honing their craft and building connections that extend beyond the stage. More than just an a cappella group, Mzzou Forte is a pop phenomenon, a university tradition, and a powerhouse of talent. Join them and let the enchantment of Mizzou Forte's a cappella magic wash over you.
The Naturelles is the all-women and gender-nonconforming a cappella group on campus at the University of Missouri-Columbia! Founded in 2007, The Naturelles strive to be unique and creative. They perform at many campus events and love to visit and perform at other campuses around Missouri. The Naturelles enjoy a variety of music, especially songs originally performed by empowering female artists. The group includes students from diverse majors who enjoy coming together twice a week to sing and have a fun time. They placed 3rd at their 2022 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal and 1st at their 2017 ICCA Quarterfinal. They are committed and passionate about what they do and are proud to have arranged all of the pieces in their ICCA set, even though the group is composed of non-music majors. The Naturelles is a place where women and gender non-conforming singers can do what they love most: singing!
The Stereotypes is a TTBB a cappella group from Washington University in St. Louis. Founded in 2001 as a fresh take on “stereotypical” a cappella, they sing music from genres ranging from pop and rock to soul and folk (and some originals)! Their arrangements are all completely original and made by current members or group alumni! The Stereotypes approach singing with a performance mindset, engaging with their audience and communicating each song's individual message. They participated in ICCA for eight years and took 4th place at 2011 ICCA Finals. They are best known for their annual concert, Mr. Stereotype, where they each embody their own “stereotype” and compete in their world-famous a cappella beauty pageant, all while coming together to put on an incredible vocal performance!
Founded in 1991 by a group of friends with a love of music, The Washington University Amateurs is now an award-winning, all-gender collegiate a cappella group. In 2020, the Amateurs opened for “The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular” at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Regularly competing in ICCA, The Amateurs won both Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement at the 2019 ICCA Midwest Semifinals and won their 2017 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal. Most recently, they earned Outstanding Soloist at the 2023 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinals and 4th place at the 2023 ICCA Midwest Semifinals. The Amateurs travel across the country to perform and compete in national a cappella festivals, including performances at Voice Jam, “America’s Got Talent,” and the a cappella reality show, “Sing it On!” The Amateurs have released nine studio albums to date and are set to release their 10th in the coming year. No matter what they do, The Amateurs stay true to their motto, “Do it because you love it.” The Amateurs sing for the sake of singing and have become a family that is truly a home away from home.
GUEST PERFORMERS
JayBlues is a mixed-voice a cappella group at Liberty High School in Liberty, Mo. The founding members of this ensemble began singing together before and after school and soon realized they wanted to take it to the next level. Together, they collaborate on programming and technical aspects of the group, all contributing to their inspired performances. JayBlues is composed of talented, dedicated students, all of whom share a deep love of making music.
Viva Voce is a treble-voice a cappella group from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Mo. Founded in 2016, Viva Voce is a musically talented, highly dedicated group of high school students who come together to share their love of a cappella music with their peers and community. This extracurricular group currently includes 22 students. The Vivas pride themselves on being involved in many sports and activities at LHWHS, but always finding time to sing and keep their lives musical.
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Tim Arnold is the choral director at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Mo. Prior to moving to Hillsboro, he taught in the Hazelwood School District for 15 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Baptist University and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is a frequent clinician and adjudicator for ensembles around the Midwest, including traditional choirs and contemporary ensembles. Tim’s contemporary a cappella journey started in Flawless Intuition at Washington High School in 1993. He traveled with the gospel quartet Closer for several years at Missouri Baptist University before beginning his teaching career. He has directed numerous groups, including Voices of Harmony, Wild Scats, and For Ladies Only in the Hazelwood School District and Hawkapella, Hawkabellas, and Hawkafellas at Hillsboro High School. Tim has served on the Executive Boards for both the Missouri Choral Directors Association and the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association. Most recently, he was awarded Teacher of the Year Honors for the Hillsboro School District, as well as the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. He is an active member of the worship team at Gracelife Chapel and wants to thank his wife Jessica and his two children, Cadence and Caleb, for all their support.
Aurielle (Macchi) Carter received her Bachelor of Arts in music from Missouri State University, where she was a proud member of the University's premier all-female a cappella group, A Cub Bella, and participated in the flagship touring choir, The Missouri State University Chorale. With nearly 20 years of performance experience, Aurielle has had the honor of performing in the Missouri Thespians All-State Show, at the International Thespian Festival, at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C., and at the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. After her time at Missouri State, Aurielle earned her master's degree in music therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, where she is now a board-certified music therapist. Using music as a medium for movement, expression, and communication, Aurielle finds fulfillment in supporting children, families, and organizations as they work together to achieve individual goals through music.
Ruthie Grollman has been a part of the a cappella community for nine years. Her passion for a cappella began during her sophomore year of high school when she joined Parkway North's Powder Room. During her senior year, this all-female group went to Finals in New York, where they received 3rd place overall. She continued her a cappella journey when she attended Missouri State University. She auditioned for and was accepted into MSU's premier all-female group, A Cub Bella. During her four years in the group, Ruthie served as choreographer, assistant music director, and music director. Ruthie graduated with her degree in music education in May 2018.
Alex Smith is a graduate of Missouri State University, from which he holds a Bachelor of Science in Music degree, with an emphasis in voice. His love for a cappella started when he attended his first ICCA competition as an audience member in 2016. During his undergrad, Alex performed and toured nationally and internationally with the Missouri State University Chorale. He also sang in the men's chorus, choral union, and multicultural ensemble. Alex was a member and music director of The Missouri State University Hibernotes from 2017-2020. He performed in four ICCA seasons throughout those years, winning a Midwest Quarterfinal in 2018 and music directing multiple award-winning sets. Alex’s professional engagements include singing as a young artist with CORO and the Des Moines Choral Festival in their 2019 season, commercially released albums and singles with the MSU Chorale, Springfield Chamber Chorus, and MSU Hibernotes, as well as recording projects with various publishing companies. Alex works at Missouri State University as an administrative assistant in the music department. He also works with Cut Off Studios as the Director of Client Retention and Assistant Director of the Internship Program. He sings with Springfield Chamber Chorus and the Queen City Chorale, the latter of which he serves as a member on the advisory board. Additionally, Alex is a Choral Scholar at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and is active as a church soloist and chorister in Southwest Missouri.
Weston Thomas is a graduate of Missouri State University (MSU) and is currently based in Kansas City, Mo. During his time at MSU, he was a member of The Hibernotes and competed with them in ICCA for three years. In recent years, Weston has become assistant director of Kansas City A Cappella: SoundProof (2022 ICHSA Champions). Overall, Weston has been involved with Varsity Vocals competitions in some capacity for approximately 11 years and doesn't plan to stop anytime soon. Outside of the a cappella world, Weston is a seasoned performer and has worked across a variety of professional theatres, community theatres, and entertainment production companies throughout the Kansas City metropolitan and Springfield, Mo. areas. Thank you for supporting Varsity Vocals and all of the competitors today!
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Liberty School Fine Arts Program, Danaya Roller, and Colin Carmody with Liquid 5th; 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!
#ICCA