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 SEMIFINAL
The Carolina 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
The Voices is an elite performing group at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss. They serve as representatives of PRCC, singing at campus, community, and recruiting events throughout the year. The mission of The Voices is to demonstrate the Wildcat Way (Pride, Respect, Class, and Character) through meaningful performance and student leadership. In recent years, they have performed at the ACDA Southern Regional Conference in Raleigh, the Louisiana ACDA conference, and the Briarcrest Invitational. They were excited to make their ICCA debut in Miami in 2023!
For over 25 years, All-Night Yahtzee has been a close-knit musical family at Florida State University. This a cappella group celebrates the joy of making music together and creating harmonious pop melodies that resonate with audiences far and wide. Their enduring friendship and dedication to the art have earned them a special place in the hearts of their campus and community. As they go on their journey, All-Night Yahtzee continues to bond through the magic of music, proving that when voices unite, incredible things happen.
The Demon Divas is Wake Forest University's all-female contemporary a cappella group established in 1998. Their name is a play on their mascot, the Demon Deacon, showing off their school spirit, as well as their love for empowering one another as women with a shared passion for music. The Demon Divas are excited to return to their second ICCA after making their first appearance last February.The group has a mascot, Teddy, who is the furry friend of one of the Divas themselves! Teddy attends almost every rehearsal and even shows off some of his own musical expertise if the Divas are lucky. Please welcome The Wake Forest University Demon Divas all the way from Winston-Salem, N.C.!
Chordination is North Carolina State University's newest co-ed a cappella group, established in 2020. The group includes students from all different backgrounds who come together and embrace the music within. Using positivity and love as the foundation for the group, Chordination hopes to foster an environment that is both inclusive and supportive, emphasizing the importance of diversity, cohesion, and community. Chordination aspires to share their musical talents and passions with the Wolfpack community and bring joy to all of their listeners.
The Tarpeggios, affectionately known as The Tarps, is a mixed-voice a cappella group and a distinct part of UNC's a cappella community. The Tarps pride themselves on creating an inclusive and supportive space where people come together to create music and find family. They enjoy performing around campus and the Triangle, as well as competing in ICCA. The group placed 2nd at the ICCA Semifinals in 2021 and 1st at their ICCA Quarterfinal in 2022. They recently released a self-produced music video titled “MODERN ECSTACY,” which is out now.
Tar Heel Voices, established in 1988, is UNC-Chapel Hill’s oldest co-ed a cappella group. Since its founding, Tar Heel Voices has played a pivotal role in Carolina’s music scene. From performing at Late Night with Roy as the 2017 National Championship banner was presented to competing in the ICCA every year since 2018 and earning various awards along the way, they strive to spread their passion for music everywhere they go!
The Belles A Cappella is an all-female a cappella group from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., established in 2019. In addition to competing in the 2023 ICCA, The Belles have performed in various showcases, including The Pitch Perfect Night at the Fisher Center for Performing Arts. The Belles also perform in other shows on and off Belmont University's campus. Most recently, they performed the national anthem at First Horizon Park for The Nashville Sounds' last baseball game of the season. They have been invited back for The Sounds' spring season, as well as for sporting events on campus. The Belles experiment with all kinds of genres, from pop to R&B, and spanning all decades with their music. The group strives to create a safe space for women to come together and use their voices in a creative outlet in order to express themselves and perform. The Belles A Cappella is a special community promoting supportive friendships, fun, and musical growth.
Prismatics is an a cappella group of students from Belmont University making impactful music! Prismatics is known for their storytelling, dance prowess, powerful vocals, and infectious energy. Coming from all majors, identities, and walks of life, this group is anchored by their passion for music and their love for one another. Founded in 2015, Prismatics is Belmont University’s youngest all-gender a cappella group. Don’t let that fool you, though! Prismatics is a force to be reckoned with. As 2021 and 2022 ICCA Finalists, they have garnered attention throughout the a cappella community. Prismatics was featured on Voices Only 2021, Vol. 2 and Spotify’s “All A Cappella” editorial playlist. They released their first full-length album in April 2023, Metaphysical. Prismatics is extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to the ICCA stage to compete and bear witness to other fantastic groups!
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.
GUEST PERFORMER
Triadic Vocals was founded in 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. Formerly known as Spectrum Vocals, Triadic has performed across North Carolina and the East Coast at ICCA competitions, The Open, and other local shows across the Triangle. They have released two singles and an EP on all streaming services. Their membership pulls from various universities across the state, including Appalachian State University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, and ECU.
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Dr. Kevin Badanes is founder and artistic director of the professional vocal jazz octet, Avante. He has been leading a cappella and jazz groups in a three-decade career at the collegiate and professional levels. An active composer and clinician in small-ensemble singing, he is the co-creator of the nationally touring production, “STEM: the Musical.”
Isaiah Hawkins is an arranger, songwriter, and music educator from Auburn Hills, Mich. He graduated with a degree in music education from Michigan State University, where he was a music director of State of Fifths and The MSU Spartones. At MSU, he was a production assistant for the ICHSA Great Lakes region and received Outstanding Arrangement awards from ICCA and The AcaOpen. He also released an EP, Lifeline, and an album, Legacy, with State of Fifths, receiving Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) and A Cappella Video Award (AVA) nominations and awards along the way. Isaiah was also one of the members of the Voices Only Productions arranging team, sang with Flux Vocals, served as the North Region Relationship Manager for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), was on the Boston Sings (BOSS) team, and is a clinician for vocal groups of all ages!
Matt Hodge is an award-winning composer, bestselling author, musician, and professor who has worked with hundreds of clients throughout all 50 states and 31 countries spanning six continents. His credits include award-winning films, international television shows, professional theatre, commercials, radio, and video games. Matt has worked with numerous Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winners, as well as performers seen on NBC’s "The Sing-Off," FOX’s "American Idol," and in several Broadway shows. Performances of his a cappella arrangements have earned over 50 million YouTube views. He has judged numerous national and international competitions, taught at several universities (including his current professorship at William Peace University), published multiple books, and been an invited speaker at dozens of conferences and institutions. He has earned a B.A., M.A., and M.F.A. (all music-related) and his official website is WWW.MATTHODGE.COM.
Kristin LoBiondo is no stranger to the a cappella community. She has worked as the assistant director of events for CASA and performed with professional groups, Snowday, Vox Pop, and Jaded. She earned her B.A. in vocal music at Elon University, and has judged the ICCA in North Carolina and Maryland. Kristin is super excited to be judging again and can't wait to see how the aca-bop has transformed over the years.
While his experience with a cappella began as a member of Eight Beat Measure in 2005, Rick Thomas has been extremely active in the greater a cappella community since 2010. Over the years, he has served as CASA's Program Manager of Awards, Director of Outreach for both CASA and the A Cappella Education Association, and a member of the SoJam production team. Additionally, Rick serves as a clinician for groups across the country and works as a producer and mix engineer with Richard Thomas Music.
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank The Carolina Theatre Staff, Triadic Vocals, and Rebecca Williamson; 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