2024 ICCA South Quarterfinal @ Trinity Preparatory 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 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL

Trinity Preparatory School
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

Gestalt is an a cappella group from the University of Florida that continuously pushes the boundaries of contemporary a cappella, bringing top-caliber innovation and creativity. Formed in 2016, Gestalt is committed to bringing something new and exciting to the stage with every performance. They perform pieces spanning the entire musical canon, including pop, rock, alternative, and even international music, but their primary aim is experimenting with sound and movement. Gestalt has received many accolades, including placing at the 2022 Acatex Festival and the 2023 Boston Sings (BOSS) competition. Most recently, they released a single and music video to the song “Blood In the Wine” by AURORA. In the past few years, Gestalt has gone through many changes and renewed their commitment to their community, their art, and most importantly, one another. In their first ICCA performance after five years, Gestalt is excited to share the rebirth of their group and hopes to inspire others to embrace the unconventional.

Accent A Cappella is an all-gender a cappella group from the University of Florida, established in 2001 as No Southern Accent. They pride themselves on their mission to create a space for people to foster their creative potential and find a tight-knit community. Their set is called “The Fall of Olympus,” and it tells a story of the Big Three gods of Greek mythos, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, and how a power struggle can cause the downfall of an entire empire.

BisCaydence is an award-winning a cappella group from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. Established in 2011, this group features some of UM's top vocal talent and embodies the spirit of harmonic cohesiveness and school pride through music made only from human voices. They take pride in the work they do and the community they share. BisCaydence hopes to share their passion for music with the world.

Phoenyx A Cappella is a co-ed group based at the University of Miami. They pride themselves on their love for music and their strongly bonded Phamily. Like the legend of their namesake, Phoenyx is a rebirth of a previous a cappella group at the University of Miami. Phoenyx is distinguished by their black and burgundy performance attire, as well as their hand sign, which consists of interlocking thumbs and facing palms inward to create a phoenix. Fueled with fire and fervor, you don't want to miss a Phoenyx performance.

The University of Central Florida Crescendudes is UCF's only all-male a cappella group. Originally founded in 2005, the group recently went through a decline, leaving only four guys left. They decided to turn the group around and they now have eight fired-up guys, all ready to compete and perform for everyone who will listen. They like to add a little charm, with fun songs and classics. This extremely close group of guys has gone through the storm and is starting to see that rainbow. Success doesn’t mean anything without the failures along the way, and The Crescendudes are ready to compete and shock everyone with what they can do. They sing everything from pop and boyband music to Disney medleys and old school classics. They perform all around campus, doing what they call Free Speech Friday, where they find a place on campus to sing for passers by. They also perform alone and alongside the four other UCF a cappella groups on the many stages around campus. The Crescendudes are excited to bring their talents to the ICCA once again.

Gemini Boulevard is the first award-winning all-gender a cappella group out of the University of Central Florida. Founded in 2009 with the idea of bringing the UCF extracurricular arts to another level, Gemini Boulevard prides themselves on their creativity, imagination, and strong sense of individuality. Gemini Boulevard has been competing at ICCA for over a decade, and some of their accomplishments include 1st place Quarterfinal wins in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022. With two albums (B.Y.O.V. in 2015 and Aftermath in 2021) and an EP (Impact in 2018) under their belt, they love the process of creating recorded music nearly as much as performing live. Last year, they shot and released their first music video to an original arrangement of “Unholy” by Sam Smith featuring Kim Petras, available to watch on YouTube! As a musical ensemble, Gemini Boulevard spends rehearsals developing each member's individual sound and the group’s blend as a whole. They also emphasize interpersonal connections, resulting in a familial group chemistry, which comes across in every performance. With a love for all genres of music, each member brings something unique to this very special group!

The University of Central Florida's only all-treble a cappella group, KeyHarmony, was founded in 2009. Donning their signature purple color, KeyHarmony has overcome many obstacles over the years that have made them stronger than ever. They have competed in many previous ICCA seasons, winning an Outstanding Choreography award in 2020 and placing 4th overall at their 2023 South Quarterfinal in Orlando. KeyHarmony is not just an a cappella group, but a group of individuals who genuinely care about one another and the growth of their group as a whole. At their very core, KeyHarmony loves to create music and give audiences unforgettable performances. KeyHarmony is a family that embraces and accepts diversity. Their music and passion for the arts stems from an understanding of the challenges they face. They strive to create thought-provoking and honest music that impacts and celebrates all audiences.

Mixed Mode is an all-gender a cappella group from the University of Central Florida. Mixed Mode is entering its eighth year competing at the ICCA. Their past ICCA accomplishments include placing top three at six of their ICCA competitions and performing at Semifinals three times. Outside of ICCA, Mixed Mode has successfully competed at other a cappella competitions, including a 1st place win at SoJam 2019 and a Runner-Up finish at BOSS 2023. Last season, Mixed Mode took home two Outstanding Choreography awards, an Outstanding Vocal Percussion award, and an Outstanding Soloist award. They also record and release music on streaming platforms, winning a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Scholastic Debut Album for Blossom.

The University of South Florida's Rocky's Angels was established in 2016 and has grown in diversity and size over the past seven years. As the only all-female group on USF's campus, the Angels strongly value inclusivity, music, and sisterhood. Through the years, Rocky's Angels has dabbled in numerous musical genres, but particularly shines in the pop and rock sectors. The best way to spot an Angel is to look for the color purple. They have claimed USF's unofficial color as their own, incorporating it into their ICCA set and beyond. Their name, Rocky's Angels, is a play on the popular film "Charlie's Angels," as well as an homage to USF's beloved mascot, Rocky D. Bull. Recently, Rocky's Angels was crowned USF's first-ever Homecoming Lip Sync Champion and has become a nonprofit corporation. The Angels are so excited to take flight this season and want to remind everyone to have their "Horns up and Wings Out!"

Scarlette Fever is the University of Tampa's treble-voiced a cappella group! They are proud to be one of the few treble-voiced competitors at ICCA. Scarlette Fever is made up of some of the most talented people at the University of Tampa. Although they come from different backgrounds, they share a goal of uplifting the women of UT while making music. Originally founded by Lily Wiggle, this is Scarlette Fever’s fourth year as a group. They are 100% student-led, including arrangements, music direction, and choreography! They specialize in singing pieces originally performed by female artists because they want to support all of the amazing women in music. The group name and color theme stem directly from their school colors, red and black. Their campus performances include singing a harmonized arrangement of the national anthem at their school’s Midnight Madness pep rally, holding showcases on campus, performing at their university's Pride Fest, and at the Luminaria ceremony during Relay for Life, where they had their own team that fundraised for cancer research. Scarlette Fever has competed at four previous ICCA competitions and they’re excited to be back!

Tones of Gold is the University of South Florida's student-run, all-gender, competitive a cappella group!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

James Kelley's competitive performance experience began in high school, where he competed in both a cappella and show choir competitions. While attending Missouri State University for vocal performance and a Bachelor of Music in musical theater, James was a member of The Beartones. With The Beartones, he performed for four ICCA seasons, including during their ICCA Finals appearance in 2018. He currently is a member of the Opera Orlando Chorus and will be in the Chorus singing behind Andrea Bocelli at the Amway Center, Feb. 18, 2024.

Darby Lestin, a distinguished Haitian-American artist, is renowned for her multifaceted talents as an arranger, vocalist, trained pianist, and two-time CARA winner. Her a cappella journey commenced in 2018, when she served as the artistic director and student arranger for the award-winning group Noise Complaint. She went on to serve as music director and in-house arranger for FSU's premier a cappella group, All-Night Yahtzee, leading them to 1st place at their 2020 ICCA Quarterfinal. Beyond the academic sphere, Darby participated as a camper at A Cappella Academy and has contributed to the orchestration of live and recorded performances by esteemed artists such as Jordin Sparks, Pentatonix, Rascal Flatts, and more. Additionally, Darby impacts the music industry through transcription work and works as a clinician and arranger for a cappella ensembles across the country. An active arranger with the production company VoicesOnly, Darby also lends her vocals to the treble quartet Red Letter Daze and is a co-director at A Cappella Academy. In every endeavor, Darby showcases an impressive blend of leadership, musical prowess, and steadfast commitment to excellence in the world of a cappella and the broader landscape of music.

Andrew Richardson is a recent graduate from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where he received a bachelor's degree in music education, specializing in choral and general music. During his time at Potsdam, Andrew was a member of The Potsdam Pitches and served as music director for two years, leading The Pitches to one of their most successful seasons since their inception. Besides directing, Andrew is also a skilled arranger who has been recognized by Varsity Vocals, the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), and the Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB) for his exemplary creative works. Andrew arranges for a variety of groups outside of the collegiate scene as well, including middle school, high school, and semi-professional groups. Currently, Andrew is a master’s student at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami where he studies music education and works with the Donna E. Shalala MusicReach program to enrich the education of underserved communities within Miami-Dade County.

Kyle Szen is a professional singer based in Orlando, Fla. He currently sings full-time with Disney’s premier a cappella group The Voices of Liberty. He studied at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music (B.M. in music theatre) and received his master’s degree from the University of Denver (arts and culture management). Credits include “Harmonious Live!” (Disney+), “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond!” (Disney World), Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, North Shore Music Theatre, Fulton Theatre, and four years singing with The USO Show Troupe, performing at military bases around the country. A true believer in the power of musical theatre performance, he loves passionate, powerful singing, and is inspired by the transfer of emotion through music!

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 South 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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