2024 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal @ St. Joseph's University, Long Island

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 NORTHEAST QUARTERFINAL

St. Joseph's University, Long Island
Saturday, February 17th, 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

Founded in 2019, Cadence of Yale is Yale University’s only competition-focused a cappella group. In a school that focuses so heavily on tradition, Cadence aims to break the mold. This co-ed group is dedicated to telling stories through music and collaborating with the global a cappella community. Cadence firmly believes that songs are more than just the sum of their notes and aims to deliver the impact of these subtleties to a broader audience. They also believe that harmony within their group creates better musical harmony and they strive to create an environment of trust, positivity, and encouragement. You can find the most eclectic and ever-changing picks in Cadence’s repertoire, largely determined by the personalities of current Cadencees, featuring everything from pop-funk to rock, indie to mainstream, and even (sometimes) video-game music mashups.

Frequency is Pace’s bold and innovative collegiate a cappella group. In the fall of 2017, Frequency was founded by a few Pace students to offer a creative outlet for them to develop their musical gifts. Frequency’s mission is to be a place where students from all different cultures and backgrounds can express their love for music. Frequency also works to build a versatile sound, arranging and performing songs across all genres to connect with all audiences. They are a club as well as an auditioned competition group.

Makin’ Treble is Hofstra University’s only all-treble a cappella group. Makin’ Treble is a group of 20 talented, kind, and supportive people that love to sing, have fun, and share in the musical community. They are proud to be the only all-female a cappella group on campus. They placed 3rd at their 2021 ICCA Quarterfinal. They released a single, “Funny/Habits,” and an EP, Here We Go Again, on all streaming platforms. Makin’ Treble’s repertoire includes a variety of music, ranging from Queen to Bonnie Tyler to Corinne Bailey Rae to Phineas and Ferb, all arranged by current members or alumni. They perform at various Hofstra events, including concerts, invitationals, and open houses, giving them abundant performing experience for live audiences. The tight-knit Hofstra a cappella community provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere to both new and returning members. Makin’ Treble is incredibly excited to continue the tradition of performing at the ICCA, showcasing their talent and passion for singing!

Sigma'cappella is Hofstra University's oldest award-winning all-voices a cappella group! Founded in 1998, they have been bringing their love for a cappella all across Hofstra's campus and the Long Island area for 25 years! Over this time, they have grown together as outstanding musicians all while developing love for one another and a shared sense of family. They perform at various campus events, throw their own concert once a semester, and host and attend invitationals with other groups in the a cappella community. They recently released a deluxe edition of their pandemic EP, Unveiled, with four brand-new tracks available to buy and stream! Additionally, they have been recording lots of new music to release on streaming platforms very soon! They are so excited to return to the ICCA after placing 4th and winning Outstanding Arrangement for "Various Storms and Saints" by Florence + The Machine (Jack Goodman) in their 2023 Quarterfinal! They are honored and delighted to perform for you again this ICCA season. Follow them on Instagram @sigmacappella for further updates on their musical journey, including live shows and recordings!

The Hofbeats is one of Hofstra University's all-voiced, award-winning a cappella groups. This dynamic group views music as a vessel for expression and creativity, as well as a foundation for the strong relationships among group members that have made them a family. The Hofbeats have been competing in the ICCA since 2017 and have loved every minute of it! They won 1st place at their 2023 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal, along with awards for Outstanding Soloist, Choreography, and Vocal Percussion, 3rd place at the 2022 Northeast Semifinals, and 3rd place at the 2022 Northeast online Quarterfinals. When The Hofbeats are not competing, you can find them performing at different events around campus, including Accepted Students Day and Family Weekend. They love to travel off campus for special events, such as invitationals, to share their music with other schools, support other groups, and make new friends! The Hofbeats are also passionate about recording and uploading their music to streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Last year, The Hofbeats released their award-winning set, "Rattle," as an EP and plan to release more music this year. Follow them @thehofbeats on all streaming and social media platforms.

The Vocaholics is the fiercest a cappella group at NYU! They sing a variety of contemporary songs by artists ranging from Chloe x Halle and Miley Cyrus to Daft Punk and Florence + the Machine. The group includes members from all across NYU, representing several different majors and programs. They aim to cultivate a diverse group of singers and friends who share a love for performing.

Vocal Synergy is the premier treble a cappella group at Wagner College. They have been an active group for 16 years and have released three albums. The group has been touring since 2014 and performs a wide range of music, from jazz to pop to rock. This group of soprano and alto voices performs on campus and all across the country. They are aca-excited to be back performing at their fifth ICCA! Vocal Synergy is a previous ICCA Semifinalist (2014) and Quarterfinalist (2018). Be sure to check out their most recent album, Positively Synful, on all streaming platforms!

Vocollision is a premier competitive a cappella group at New York University focused on exploring diverse genres. Founded in 2008, this co-ed, all-inclusive group has performed nationwide, released singles, an EP, and music videos, and competed in many ICCA events, including the Northeast Semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Above all, Voco is a family that loves to chill and have fun but they’re ready to kick ass when the time comes!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Steven Alexander is a graduate of the University of Miami's Frost School of Music with a degree in music education. While there, he led the award-winning a cappella group BisCaydence to a 2nd place finish at the 2019 ICCA Finals. He served as an associate conductor with the Miami Children's Chorus and at the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. His passion for a cappella and vocal continues to this day, and he actively serves as a clinician for groups around the country. Steven recently completed a dual M.A./M.B.A. at the Eastman School of Music/Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.

Kevin DeLisa is a charismatic, well-rounded vocal educator with a bachelor's degree in music education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in music and music education from Columbia University. He has taught in a wide variety of musical spaces throughout his young career, allowing for a sense of diversity in educational thought. Kevin’s pedagogy for music education through an instrumental, vocal, and theoretical basis all prove to give high-level musicianship, community, and performance opportunities for his students. Kevin has also been nationally recognized for his vocal and a cappella arrangements, including a 2018 ICCA award for Outstanding Arrangement and a 2021 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Male Collegiate Arrangement. He has written over 90 vocal arrangements for collegiate, professional, and high school ensembles, all of which return with high praise of engraving, voice leading, and enjoyment. His writing style focuses on cohesion of line for the performers, without sacrificing intrigue and emotional development for the audience. His scoring is succinct, advanced, and comprehensive for any level of performance.

Aldon Knolls attended the University of Michigan, where he studied vocal percussion and linguistics. While there, he served as the assistant music director for Amazin' Blue, helping lead the group to ICCA Finals in 2017 with the set "Chasing Love," and winning several Outstanding Vocal Percussion awards along the way. Aldon now serves as the vocal percussionist for New York-based group Black to Gold, who recently headlined New England Voices and won SingStong NYC. Aldon is an a cappella clinician across the country for full groups and vocal percussionists, as well as a sea shanty and barbershop specialist.

Ryanne Solinsky is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, holding a degree in music education. While in college, Ryanne sang, arranged for, and served as a vocal percussionist for treble a cappella group A Sharp Arrangement. The group competed in ICCA for all four years, where they advanced to multiple Semifinals and Ryanne received an Outstanding Vocal Percussion award. She most recently taught music at the middle school level, leading the choir and teaching general music, before moving to attend New York University, where she is working toward her master’s degree in musical theatre vocal performance with an Advanced Certificate in vocal pedagogy. She thanks Varsity Vocals for having her and wishes good luck to everyone competing this season!

Alyssa Sposato, a native of Long Island, N.Y., earned her B.M. in music education with a minor in music business from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. With a diverse background in a cappella, Alyssa served as president and music director of her collegiate group, The Potsdam Pitches, leading them to numerous ICCA Central Semifinal placements. Additionally, she spent three years as a member of the professional treble a cappella group, Cape Harmony. Alyssa currently works as a music educator for the Middle Country Central School District, specializing in elementary general music. She extends her passion for performing through music directing at Theatrics Performing Arts, guiding students of all ages to realize their potential onstage. Alyssa extends her best wishes to all competing groups this season.

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 Northeast 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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