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

ICHSA MID-ATLANTIC QUARTERFINAL

Bayonne High School
Sunday, February 3rd, 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 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.

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.

 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

Amandala, the all-female identifying a cappella group of Highland Park High School, is a testament to musical diversity and indomitable student initiative. Amandala was founded in 1992 by Farzaneh Hemassi, and has flourished with every generation of talented and capable women. Over the years, Amandala has performed all over Highland Park and beyond, memorably collaborating with the Yale Slavic Chorus back in 2016. Amandala celebrates the rich and vivid tapestry of world cultures through music, with repertoire from Europe, South America, Asia, and other regions around the globe. A highlight of Amandala's music is the South African Zulu songs, including their anthem, “Akanamandla,” which translates to "He has no power" and carries a message of unity and empowerment. Past members have stated how the music they learned and the friendships they made in the group stay with them forever. This year, Amandala takes the stage with its ensemble of 14 talented young women, with strong leadership from Aurora Gibney-Krashen, Cora Kaper-Dale, Emma Shannon, Jahan Mladnick, and Violet Pyatt. Far more than just an a cappella group, Amandala represents that music is a universal language and sharing it is the greatest gift of all. 

GLissando, Governor Livingston High School's competition a cappella group, is excited to return to the ICHSA. Formed in October 2022, GLissando includes students of all ages and interests around GL. GLissando was thrilled to compete last year at ICHSA and had an absolute blast. Along with their annual concerts, GLissando continues to support the GL community with their voices. They hope you enjoy their set! 

LumeNAtion is from Newark Academy in Livingston, N.J. This is the group’s 11th year in the ICHSA and they are incredibly excited to perform for you! They've advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Semifinals three times and would be honored for another opportunity this year. The group takes pride in their exciting sets and this year does not disappoint. LumeNAtion hopes that you enjoy their set tonight. Let’s hear it for Newark Academy’s LumeNAtion! 

Remix is Montclair Kimberley Academy’s a cappella group. They love singing together in performances at school and in their community. In addition to music, Remix plans performances for various charitable causes each year. The group includes 18 members, two student captains, student choreographers, a director, and a student music arranger. They have been a part of ICHSA for many years and most recently advanced to Semifinals in 2023!  Participating in ICHSA is always a highlight of their year and they’re excited to meet and hear other a cappella groups in the 2024 season! 

Scarlet Sound is Neptune High School's premier vocal ensemble. Scarlet Sound has competed in the ICHSA for the last eight years. The group has also been nominated to the N.J. State Teen Arts Festival six times, garnering a Distinguished rating each time. Scarlet Sound has been a featured performer at the NATO Parade of Nations and has been chosen to perform in Disney World twice. The Scarlet Sound's mission is to challenge the young students of NHS to achieve the highest level of musicianship that they can and make a few amazing memories along the way. 

The Bee's Knees from Bayonne High School was founded in 2018 under the direction of Samantha Herskowitz. The group is composed of current Bayonne High School students in grades 10-12, many of whom are involved in multiple music programs at the school, including the award-winning Bayonne High School Marching Band and Drama Society. Last year, The Bee’s Knees competed in their second ICHSA season, placing 1st at their Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal and 2nd at Semifinals. Last June, The Bee’s Knees performed at the North Jersey Pride Festival in Maplewood, N.J. and were happy to share in the love of the LGBTQ community. The Bee's Knees perform at community events, clinics, and concerts and are so excited to be competing for the third year in the ICHSA.

The Foxy Jukebox hails from Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, N.J. This group is made up of student musicians who enjoy making beautiful harmonies and improving their talents. They have been honored with four ICHSA Semifinals appearances over the last five years, with a few personal awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement. They are also a five-time top nine Finalist in Philadelphia B101.1 FM's yearly Christmas Choir Competition. The students would like to thank all of their family and friends who come to support them at all of the yearly events! 

The Spartones was founded in the fall of 2019 at Steinert High School in Hamilton, N.J., by their new choir director, Miss Madelyn Curtin. Since then, Spartones has become an unbreakable musical family. They take every opportunity they can to perform and are excited to be back at the ICHSA for their fourth year in a row. In the past, they have performed at the National Jazz Fest and A Cappella at the Rock. They are also proud and honored to host their own festival, the Spartan A Cappella Showcase, at their own school in the spring. They are excited to share their stage with so many other great groups! Enjoy the show! 

Varsity Vocals is the premier a cappella group at Carteret High School. Varsity Vocals was founded in 2015 and has performed at many venues locally, regionally, and statewide. Varsity Vocals has received high praise and positive feedback from adjudicators in recent competitions, notably earning the title of Wildcard Champion in the 2022 ICHSA and winning 1st place at their 2020 Quarterfinal. They are extremely thankful for their supportive faculty, student body, parents, and administrators! CHS Varsity Vocals is proud to represent Carteret Public Schools and return to compete in ICHSA with their fellow artists. 

Vocal Resolution is the first a cappella group established at Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, N.J. As their name suggests, they love a good musical suspension followed by a resolution. This aca-family is stoked to return to ICHSA and share the stage with other incredible groups for a fun night of a cappella!  

GUEST PERFORMER

Casual Harmony is the premier tenor-bass a cappella group at Rutgers University. Casual Harmony is composed of members from diverse academic backgrounds, majors, and disciplines, all brought together by their love of music. Whether they're recording and producing albums or competing in the ICCA, Casual Harmony always strives to be the best of the best. With this year marking their 20th anniversary as a group, Casual Harmony invites you to sit back, relax, and enjoy 20 years of a cappella. 

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Yang Chen is a passionate music and theatre creative based in New York City, originally from Toronto. He studied both systems design engineering and music at the University of Waterloo, where he served as a music director, arranger, and choreographer for several a cappella groups, including The Water Boys (2017 ICCA Finalists), ACE, and two groups he founded, The Committee, and In Full Colour (BOSS 2021 Champions). Under Yang's leadership, The Committee became an ICCA Quarterfinal Runner-Up and Semifinalist in two years. In his senior year, Yang led In Full Colour to 1st place at ICCA Quarterfinals and 2nd place at Semifinals, also earning awards for arrangements and choreography. Yang also co-founded the annual Canadian A Cappella Conference (CanACC) and hosted the first all-Canadian ICCA Quarterfinal during his three-year tenure as president of the UW A Cappella Club. As a performer, Yang played Princeton in “Avenue Q,” Peter in “Bare: A Pop Opera,” and sang in “The Comeback Cabaret” at Don't Tell Mama NYC. In New York, he produced, directed, and music directed the sold-out musical theatre concert series, "In Harmony." Yang is also co-writing his first musical, “In a Year,” and can be found singing with Gaia Music Collective. Yang is dedicated to helping others achieve their full creative potential and is available as a clinician, coach, and arranger, reachable at yang.chen.3355@gmail.com. 

Elena Georgieva is a Brooklyn-based music technology researcher, singer, and vocal producer currently pursuing her Ph.D. at NYU. In her work, Elena uses data science methods to study the vocals of pop songs. She is an accomplished arranger and award-nominated vocal producer with 11 years of experience in a cappella music. She is best known for her work with the a cappella groups at Stanford University, where she completed her master’s degree in 2019. Elena actively sings with the Sirens of Gotham competitive barbershop chorus and the Yasna Voices Bulgarian folk choir. 

Leon Hua is a vocal percussionist, arranger, performer, and music educator living in New York City. Leon is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he was a part of the five-time ICCA Champions, The SoCal VoCals, as a VP, singer, and arranger. Notably, he has performed with a cappella groups like Pentatonix, The Nor’easters, and Pitch Slapped. Leon began his a cappella journey in high school, when he attended A Cappella Academy, a summer camp co-founded by Ben Bram, Rob Dietz, and Avi Kaplan. Since then, Leon's performances and arrangements have appeared on BOCA, BOHSA, Voices Only, the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs), and the A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs). 

Originally from Southern California, Hannah Juliano attended Berklee College of Music and led its co-ed group, Pitch Slapped, to ICCA Finals two years in a row. The group was crowned ICCA Champion its second year and went on to win the SoJam competition in 2011 and then appeared on season 2 of NBC’s “The Sing-Off.” After college, Hannah became a member of Musae, a professional all-female frontier blazer, and Delilah, the all-female powerhouse group from season 3 of “The Sing-Off.” She has since performed all around the world, taught workshops and masterclasses, and arranged for groups and individuals around the country. Her clients include Leslie Odom Jr., Eden Espinosa, Joshua Henry, Karen Olivo, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Ledisi, Josh Groban, Ingrid Michaelson, The Beverly Belles, and VoicePlay, among others. She toured for two years with Deke Sharon’s a cappella show, “Vocalosity,” as a performer and music director, was a soloist at Carnegie Hall for the “Total Vocal” show, and is a performer in the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. She is a commercial session vocalist working in New York City, singing on ads for Pepsi, Adidas, Mazda, Samsung, and others, as well as performing and producing in multiple bands for weddings and events. She is also married to Bryant Vance, bass man extreme, who sings for Rockapella! 

Sean Patrick Riley has worked for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) on the social media and talent teams for ACappellaFest, SoJam, the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF), and BOSS, and has served in CASA's ambassador program for the past seven years. He holds a bachelor's degree in both music and communication, as well as a master’s degree in nursing from Saint Louis University. At SLU, Sean served as music director and business manager of recent ICCA Finalists, The Bare Naked Statues, and was featured on the Voices Only and BOCA compilations. Sean coaches a cappella groups across the country, and is the camp nurse and counselor for the L.A.-based summer camp, A Cappella Academy. He is a nurse practitioner for the Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health Babs Siperstein PROUD Center. 

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank John Niesz - Superintendent of Schools, Tim Craig - Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Keith Makowski - Principal of Bayonne High School, Serge Puchinsky, Brendan Wahlers, Lauren Alexander, Gabriella Megale, Lydia Megale, Bee's Knees Parent Volunteers, BHS Custodial Staff, and the Bayonne Board of Education; 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 ICHSA Mid-Atlantic 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!

#ICHSA