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 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL

University of Tennessee
Friday, February 9th, 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

Enloe High School’s Crescenloe was founded in 2015 in order to create a student-run high school a cappella family. Originally founded by Nyla Smith and a group of Enloe’s talented singers and good-hearted people, they have developed their voice in the years since. Every group member plays a vital role, bringing their wonderful voices and unique personalities to every rehearsal. In 2020, Crescenloe won 1st place at ICHSA Quarterfinals, where Liyana Falvey was awarded Outstanding Soloist and Meghan King was awarded Outstanding Vocal Percussion. In 2023, Maya Spencer and Vivian Cao received the Outstanding Arrangement Award. Additionally, they have opened for the bands Foreigner and Loverboy at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh, N.C. with a Crescenloe-arranged medley of five classic rock songs. Their core principles are implemented throughout all areas of Crescenloe. Their acronym, CRESC, stands for Collaboration, Respect, Enthusiasm, Slayosity, and Communication. Crescenloe is committed to spreading positivity and appreciation for music inside and outside their community, and they could not be more excited to perform for you tonight! 

The Patatonics is based in White House, Tenn., at White House Heritage High School. This is their eighth year performing and they are excited to bring the beauty and excitement of a cappella music to their region though both local performances and competitions! 

Perfect Intentions is an a cappella group from the great state of North Carolina. Deep in the heart of Harnett County, Overhills High School is their home. This auditioned group started out as a competitive show choir in 2010 but switched over to competitive a cappella in 2019. They have placed in and won numerous regional and state competitions. Most recently, they were named NCASA Metrographics A Cappella North Carolina State Champions. They love to share their love and passion for music with others. Last spring, they placed 3rd at ICHSA South Quarterfinals in Tennessee and performed well at Semifinals in Florida. 

Sonic Edge is the premier vocal a cappella group from the Cobb County Center for Excellence  in the Performing Arts. Last year, Sonic Edge made their competitive debut at the National A Cappella Convention (NACC) and they are so excited to compete in the 2024 ICHSA! 

Tonal Spectrum is the long-running choral group at Crest High School in Shelby, N.C. The group began in the early 90s and has attended many competitions throughout the years. They were the ICHSA Semifinal Champions in 2015 and most recently placed 3rd at the ICHSA South Semifinals in 2022. Tonal Spectrum is made up of a diverse group of students whose interests range from farming to sports to reading, but who all love making music together. 

Traces of Blue is the advanced women's choir and pop a cappella ensemble from Sumrall High School. Traces of Blue has performed extensively throughout the United States and made their ICHSA debut in 2023, placing 1st at their Quarterfinal and 2nd at the South Semifinals. Traces of Blue’s mission is to be a light and gift to others by sharing their musical talents, inspiring a sense of confidence and individuality in younger singers, and enriching the lives of their community members. They seek to establish themselves as positive role models by spreading joy with their God-given talents. 

VocalEase! is the premier, auditioned, 15-member co-ed contemporary a cappella ensemble from Albertville High School in Albertville, Ala. VocalEase! is highly involved in both school and community events. This group recently had the privilege to perform at the Alabama Governor's mansion and appear in a Christmas commercial with the Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey. Although VocalEase! has existed for many years, this will be their very first competitive season with ICHSA! They are absolutely thrilled to be taking the competitive stage tonight! 

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Paige Betts is the orchestra director at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. She is an experienced music educator, having taught string orchestra, chorus, and musical theatre, and has twice been runner-up for Teacher of the Year. She has given clinics with various orchestras, chorus, and a cappella ensembles across the Southeast, and has taught private voice and viola lessons. Paige is a graduate of the University of Georgia and is currently working towards becoming a Double Dawg. Paige lives in Winterville, Ga. with her husband Andrew and their dogs Jake and Barbara. 

Brad Maffett is the conductor of the Athens Symphony. He previously performed with the Athens Symphony Chorus and continues to serve as a rehearsal assistant. Brad conducts band and choir at Franklin County Middle School and has previously conducted for “Musica Fraterna” of the Atlanta Children’s Choir, Local Vocals, and B Natural. He has written arrangements for over 80 a cappella groups. Brad has been involved in all aspects of music, from serving as a singing waiter to playing tuba in a polka band. When he isn’t making music, he can be found cooking barbecue in competitions throughout the Southeast. 

Caitlin Nelson is a New York City-based actress, vocalist, events professional, and cheese aficionado. Originally from Tallahassee, Fla., she attended Florida State University, where she majored in music and sang with All Night Yahtzee. Since graduating, she has served as music director for Boston's The 508s, founder and music director for Seattle’s Shot in the Dark, and music director of Empire A Cappella. She currently directs, arranges for, and performs with the six-person vocal band, Concrete, and is a member of the Founder's Board for the Contemporary A Cappella League (CAL). Caitlin has earned awards for her choreography and arranging and is featured on Voices Only 2009 as the soloist for All Night Yahtzee's “Missing the War” by Ben Folds. 

Jared Sanchez started singing in high school, leading his choir and attending All East. He has a B.A. in theater from the University of Tennessee, where he co-music directed and arranged for his college a cappella group, VOLT. During his time in the group, Jared and VOLT made the most of their five years, attending as many competitive and educational festivals and a cappella experiences as they could, including ICCA, SOJAM, BOSS, and Next Level Arranging. As of 2023, Jared remains active in music and the arts and even has received the resounding title of Mr. Knoxville Idol 2022. Jared wishes each group the best of luck and is excited to be on this evening’s panel. 

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 three placing groups at this event will advance to the 2024 ICHSA 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!

#ICHSA