2024 ICHSA Northeast Quarterfinal @ Danvers High 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

ICHSA NORTHEAST QUARTERFINAL

Danvers High School
Saturday, February 10th, 2024

WE'RE SOCIAL

We're talking about this event, and all of our events around the world!

varsityvocals

@varsityvocals

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

Dobbs 16 is one of three academic choirs offered in the Upper School at The Masters School. Faculty-directed and student-led, the group is a long-standing participant in the ICHSA with more than 20 years of experience competing. Members of the group have won awards for vocal percussion, arranging, choreography, and soloist and the ensemble has performed at all rounds of the ICHSA, including Finals in both New York City and Washington D.C.

Falconize is one of the contemporary a cappella ensembles from Danvers High School in Danvers, Mass. The group has been competing in the ICHSA for over 10 years, with numerous appearances at Semifinals and one trip to Finals (3rd place, 2015). Their recordings have been featured on Varsity Vocals' BOHSA albums and nominated for Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). Falconize enjoys performing for community events and at school concerts throughout the year. www.dhsfalconize.org

Saugus High School's competitive a cappella group, Tonal Chaos, has been competing in the ICHSA for five years. They have placed 1st at Quarterfinals twice and have received various other awards at competitions. Tonal Chaos also performs at local gigs throughout the year and is excited to host their very first a cappella festival this spring.

The 18 Wheelers is a diverse group of high school students who enjoy sharing their love of music with other Northeast schools, as well as singing to raise awareness and funding for nonprofits in their community. Throughout the years, they garnered national recognition by winning tracks on Varsity Vocals’ BOHSA and the Contemporary A Cappella Society’s (CASA) acclaimed SING compilations, which mostly features collegiate and professional groups. Over the years, their albums have won CARAs in the categories of Best High School Album, Best High School Song, and Best High School Arranger and Soloist. They have earned the title of Northeast Champions twice and competed in New York City at ICHSA Finals. The 18 Wheelers also appeared on two separate seasons of WGBH’s TV special, “Sing That Thing!” Most recently, they competed in the 2023 ICHSA Semifinals and won Outstanding Soloist. Above all, The 18 Wheelers are proud to bring joy to others and connect with audiences across the East Coast.

Fermata Nowhere is a co-ed cappella ensemble from Stafford Middle School, featuring students from sixth through eighth grade. Founded in 2016, the group has competed in the ICHSA three times. Members of the ensemble have won individual awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Vocal Percussionists, and the group earned 2nd place at their 2020 Northeast Quarterfinal. Fermata Nowhere released their first album, Shine, in fall 2018, and followed that up with their second album, Resilience, in summer 2022. Both albums can be purchased on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora. Fermata Nowhere has released seven music videos since the group's inception and conducted workshops under the award-winning SUNY Potsdam Pointercounts, The University of Rochester’s Midnight Ramblers, and “Pitch Perfect”’s Deke Sharon. Fermata Nowhere has been featured on the Acaville national a cappella radio station. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Luminescence, a treble-voiced a cappella group from Marblehead High School, has been entertaining audiences ever since their founding in 2005. From a competitive standpoint, the group has received awards for Outstanding Choreography and Soloist (ICHSA and NE Voices). They also won the NE Voices competition in 2014 and earned 3rd place at the 2016 ICHSA Northeast Semifinals. Since 2017, Luminescence has released three albums with The Jewel Tones, C105, Six Feet Apart, and No Time for Trouble on iTunes and Spotify. Be sure to follow Luminescence on Instagram @mhsluminescence.

The Jewel Tones is a co-ed a cappella group from Marblehead High School. Founded in 2003, the group has released four albums and an EP, which are available on all streaming platforms. They adore performing around town, at schools, and at other competitions such as ICHSA and NE Voices. They are so excited to present the set that they’ve tied together for you today, but be careful, for you never know what’s up the perc’s sleeve. Make sure you follow @mhsthejeweltones on Instagram and TikTok.

In the heart of Belmont High School's vibrant musical landscape lies a hidden gem, The Clay Pit Crooners. With a special love for angsty pop songs, this a cappella group loves making music and dancing in a semicircle! Founded in 2021, The Crooners started a tradition of hosting an annual A Cappella Night, in which groups from other schools, including The Beelzebubs from Tufts University, attend to celebrate the year’s accomplishments. They have also performed at local events in Belmont, such as PorchFest, Staff Recognition Day, and their POPs concert at the high school. The Crooners have become a heavily student-run group, with current leadership representing the class of 2025. Sophia Edrington Martinez and Sam Geiger are the student directors and help run rehearsals, while Claire Boyle and Allyson Gomez-Martin are social media business managers and manage the group’s online presence and publicity. Their rehearsals provide a safe space for the group members to make bold choices and face challenges. They are always taking risks, whether tackling a tough harmony or trying to find the right movement to showcase their energy in performanc. The Clay Pit Crooners are very excited to showcase their work at the ICHSA!

Rhythm on Rye is Rye High School's only competitive a cappella group! The group is student-directed and has been competing in ICHSA since 2010! Rhythm on Rye placed 3rd in the 2023 ICHSA Quarterfinals and 2nd in the 2022 ICHSA Quarterfinals. They are excited to be back competing this year!

Hanover High School's Dachords is thrilled to be competing in the ICHSA once again! Dachords is a co-ed, entirely student-run a cappella group from Hanover, N.H. They are one of three a cappella groups at their high school and the only group that competes at ICHSA. The Dachords co-leaders are in charge of organizing rehearsal times and locations, often including weekend rehearsals at group members’ homes. Co-leaders also independently coordinate with the music department staff to plan logistics for concerts and dress rehearsals. Each year, new student co-leaders are elected, while they and members of the group help audition new students. The group democratically votes on soloists for individual songs and arrangement material. Last year, Eli Hoffer’s arrangement of “Somebody to Love” won Outstanding Arrangement at the ICHSA Northeast Quarterfinals. Aside from ICHSA, Dachords performs around six new songs each year at three school concerts. They accepted a vocal percussionist for the first time this year, adding to their repertoire’s potential. Dachords also grows closer throughout the year, making them more than a student club, but a wholesome community as well. Thanks to Varsity Vocals, Mr. Lacrosse, and Mrs. Chambers for making this experience possible.

GUEST PERFORMER

Not Too Sharp is an all-male and nonbinary a cappella group from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H. Founded in 2002, the group performs live on the UNH campus, at other colleges, and for fundraisers, shows, businesses, and private parties in the community. Their annual benefit show supports the American Cancer Society. The Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB) says of Not Too Sharp, "All male, slightly goofy, and possessed of an infectious energy... Charisma just drips out of the speakers".

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Christopher Brody is an a cappella producer, arranger, coach, performer, enthusiast, and cheerleader. In 2016, Christopher graduated with a music education degree from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Mich. A proud alumnus of Gold Vibrations, he was a rare four-year music director and part of the team that helped lead the group to the 2016 ICCA Finals. Christopher is now an award-winning producer and arranger, having produced and arranged over 10 tracks that are featured on BOHSA, BOCA, and other compilation albums, and sings with Sound Off A Cappella. He continues to work with many college and high school groups, helping students learn and grow about the art form he is so passionate about. His dream is to create the first-ever a cappella group composed completely of pugs.

Kevin Guest studied music and audio production at Ithaca College and learned the art of stage performance, music production, and music theory through his advanced education. Kevin had the distinct pleasure of being a four-year member in the award-winning (and 2008 and 2009 ICCA Finalists) all-male a cappella group, Ithacappella. Based just outside of Boston, Kevin has given numerous workshops and master classes around the New England area and the continental United States, regarding musical artistry and performance techniques for all levels of contemporary a cappella and choral ensembles, including classes at the NE Voices High School Festival, Boston Sings, SoJam, and the National A Cappella Convention (NACC). His arranging, production work, and singing has garnered multiple CARA wins and nominations. Kevin has gained recognition at the regional and national levels at the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival (as an arranger and performer), and has appeared on multiple SING, BOCA, and Voices Only Forte compilation albums. He’s currently an arranger, clinician, and producer at Cut Off Studios, an Executive Board member of the NE Voices High School Festival, an office delegate of the Ithacappella Alumni Association, and is the bass for award-winning, professional a cappella group, Ball in the House.

With over a decade of arranging under their belt and a lifetime love of music, Erin Hudkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) has spent most of their life pursuing music (arranging, editing, performing, you name it). Her work has made it to the ICCA stage, Voices Only compilation albums, the Television Academy’s Festivals, the Nintendo Switch, and more. Ever since falling in love with treble a cappella in college, Erin has dedicated her focus towards directing, arranging for, and uplifting treble groups in particular. Erin is beyond excited to judge for Varsity Vocals and looks forward to hearing all the talent brought to this year’s stage.

Kera Keene got her start singing a cappella in college with The Sapphires at University of North Carolina at Greensboro and took her love for a cappella to her semi-professional group Deviate after graduation. Kera went from client to contractor with The Vocal Company in 2013 and has been working with them ever since. She spends most of her weekends away from her day job traveling the East Coast and running sound for TVC clients and events (including Quarterfinals during the past several seasons of ICCA and ICHSA). One of her favorite memories as an aca-professional is traveling to Miami in 2014 to assist with sound for the first annual Betsy A Cappella Festival, formerly known as All Roads. Kera lives in Greensboro, N.C.

A graduate of Ithaca College, Shannon McNulty is a vocalist, educator, event planner, and mom of two. Currently, Shannon is the executive producer of the NACC and a member of Blacklight, a Boston-based a cappella group with strong ties to the beatbox community. Previously, Shannon taught music at Marlborough High School, where she directed two choirs and developed and taught their award-winning a cappella recording class, Music Production. Shannon holds a B.M in vocal performance and music education (Ithaca College, 2007) and an M.M. in music education (Boston University, 2012).

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 ICHSA 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

#ICHSA