DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome to Varsity Vocals’ 29th 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 700 groups and over 11,000 singers at over 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 29 years ago and we can’t wait to see how our 2025 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 GREAT LAKES QUARTERFINAL

University of Chicago
Saturday, January 25th, 2025

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ABOUT VARSITY VOCALS

Since 1996, we have encouraged students worldwide to sing a cappella throughout their lives. Our programs include both the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), and the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). 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 four or 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 26th.

The high school tournament is now in its 20th year. The winners of each of seven Semifinal rounds will advance to the ICHSA Finals at The Town Hall in New York City on Friday, April 25th.

 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

Blue Fusion is Eastern Illinois University's premier all-gender a cappella ensemble, returning for their second year of competition. Founded in 2023, Blue Fusion is composed of 13 passionate performers majoring in various undergraduate studies, including education, theatre, pre-med, graphic design, and professional writing. Blue Fusion is committed to sharing their love of music with the university and surrounding communities through sporting events, charity endeavors, and holiday celebrations. The group is excited to present audiences with a fusion of genres, rich harmonies, powerful choreography, and some sick beats. 

Counterpoint is Loyola University Chicago's premier competitive all-gender a cappella group. They arrange and perform a diverse range of music to feature at their concerts, competitions, and on their albums!

Downtown Voices is an energetic a cappella group hailing from the heart of Chicago. Known for their dynamic harmonies and diverse repertoire, Downtown Voices brings a fresh take to holiday classics, pop anthems, and soulful ballads. With performances at iconic seasonal events like Chicago's Christkindlmarket and ZooLights, as well as invitations from professional organizations such as the University of Illinois Chicago, Downtown Voices has earned a reputation for delivering memorable, crowd-pleasing performances that captivate audiences of all ages. This is their second year in a row returning to ICCA and they are very excited to share the stage with other collegiate a cappella groups. 

Fundamentally Sound (FS) is UW-Madison's only competitive lower-voiced a cappella group. Founded in 2005, the group celebrates a dynamic blend between complex musical arrangements and high energy performances. FS is always thrilled to showcase their ability to push the boundaries of collegiate a cappella while remaining confident in their suspender-clad traditions. Today, FS continues to seek new heights in musical innovation and explosive performances. In 2020, FS achieved 3rd place in the ICCA Finals. In the years since, the group has recorded and released their 2023 ICCA set and a music video of “Parent's House" on their newest album, released in November 2024. FS hopes to make the trip back to ICCA Great Lakes Semifinals this year as they kick off their 17th year. 

The Harmelodics is Northern Illinois University’s student-run all-treble a cappella group. The group includes a wide variety of majors and accepts students from every year at NIU. They pride themselves in their ability to care not just for their voices, but for one another by valuing positivity above all else. The Harmelodics strive to change the a capella world with their intricate harmonies and catchy melodies, one song at a time. 

Coming from the University of Chicago, Medusa is a powerhouse a cappella group breaking barriers with spunk, grit, and soul. Dedicated to challenging traditional gender roles, Medusa blends bold, empowering music with their signature high-voices sound. Their repertoire spans a diverse range of artists and genres, featuring covers from contemporary artists like Janelle Monáe, Florence + The Machine, and Hozier, alongside unique arrangements of songs by Sammy Rae and the Friends and Michael Bublé. Known for their dynamic performances and award-winning arrangements, Medusa has earned multiple Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) and Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB) recognition. Their latest album, A Trip Down the Other Side, showcases their evolution with tracks containing innovative takes and powerful harmonies. Medusa performed at the ICCA Quarterfinals two years ago and cannot wait to return to the competition! Listen to Medusa on Spotify, Apple Music, and more! 

Public Hearing is UW-Milwaukee's only audition-based a cappella group. Their goal is to provide an extracurricular musical opportunity for all students, including non-music majors. Much of their funding is sourced from local gigs within the community and for organizations in and around the UW Milwaukee campus. Public Hearing was officially established in 2022 and hit the ground running.They already have an impressive ICCA record, winning 1st at Quarterfinals in their first year competing, 3rd at Quarterfinals in their second year, and picking up awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement along the way. Public Hearing loves to show that new groups can succeed and hopes to inspire other new groups to take initiative. 

The Ransom Notes is an all-gender a cappella group from the University of Chicago. They have been a vocal presence in the ICCA since at least 2001, recognizable for their energetic performances and their signature blue and black color scheme. The Ransom Notes love to push the boundaries of a cappella and incorporate music from a variety of genres, from R&B to indie/folk to rock. When they’re not competing, they can be found performing at venues around Chicago and across the country on annual tours, joining with other a cappella groups in informal arch sings, or teaching music workshops to high school students. The Ransom Notes love one another as much as they love to sing. Group members can often be found gathering for late night study sessions, monopolizing niche campus jobs, and ordering way too much dim sum in Chicago Chinatown. As their friends will tell you readily, “you never see just one Ransom Note!” 

Run for Cover is the University of Chicago's award-winning low-voices a cappella group. Founded in 2007 by a group of five students, it has grown into one of the prominent low-voice groups in the Midwest. The group performs at events within and outside of the university and competes bi-annually in the ICCA, notably advancing to Semifinals in 2014. Run for Cover is releasing a new EP, Dynamically Challenged, on all streaming platforms! 

Sonata Problem is a mixed competitive, all-gender a cappella group from North Central College in Naperville, Ill. The group features students from many different areas, contents of study, and across all collegiate grade levels. The group regularly competes at the ICCA and performs throughout the year. Established in 2012, Sonata Problem has also released an EP called Exposition, performed on news stations, and recorded with Sleeping at Last. Sonata Problem aims to create an environment for its members to grow in their musical talents, personal lives, and leadership skills. Sonata hopes to inspire their community through music.

GUEST PERFORMER

Voices in Your Head is a student-run a cappella group from the University of Chicago who aim to "push the bounds of contemporary a cappella." Founded in 1998, the group consists of both undergraduate and graduate students whose studies range from eonomics to music to M.D. and Ph.D. programs. Its unique repertoire includes original pieces, as well as an eclectic mix of pop, R&B, rock, and alternative music. Voices competes regularly in ICCA and releases studio recordings of their arrangements.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

A multi-instrumentalist from age 9, Sean Binkley plays viola, violin, cello, and ukulele, in addition to singing. He found his way to a cappella after a scheduling error at Saint Louis University kept him from continuing with orchestra. He joined the Bare Naked Statues in 2012 and quickly became a featured soloiost, arranger, and character actor in the group, helping lead them to ICCA Finals as a soloist in 2014. Sean continues to compose, arrange, and perform his own multitrack music, and is currently finishing a concept album blending folk storytelling and classic rock. He also works in development at WFMT, Chicago's premier classical radio station. 

Amy J. Branahl has been teaching choral music for 24 years at the high school and middle school levels. Currently, she is the Director of Choral Activities at New Trier High School.  Amy graduated from the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) with a B.M.E. and M.M.E. in choral music education. As a published arranger, Amy is a sought out clinician for choral music and a cappella ensembles.  She is thrilled to be an adjudicator for the ICCA and ICHSA with Varsity Vocals, and is the President-Elect for the Illinois American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).  Amy and her husband have three beautiful boys and reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Best of luck to all the groups tonight!

Destinee Feliciano began her a cappella journey in DeKalb High School's mixed a cappella group Enharmonic Fusion, with whom she had the privilege of competing in ICHSA all four years, advancing to Finals in 2015, 2016, and 2017. After high school, she joined UIUC's No Comment and served as co-music director, arranging 12 songs for the group. Her music was included in their appearances at ICCA, taking the group to 1st place finishes and Semifinal appearances each time they competed. Destinee has a degree in music education from the University of Illinois and now is a music educator at Garden Hills Academy in Central Illinois. 

Samantha Rich began her a cappella journey in a mixed ensemble from Georgia Institute of Technology and never looked back. Since her days arranging, competing (yes, in the ICCA!), and serenading Atlanta audiences with her smoky voice, she spent the last decade performing and recording with various semi-professional groups. After moving from the sunny South to the Midwest, Sam is super excited to judge in the Chicago area and can't wait to hear this season's competitors! 

Michael Severino (he/him/his) began his a cappella journey at Illinois State University, where he served as the music director and choreographer of The Clef Hangers. Under his leadership, the group consistently excelled, earning top placements at the ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinals and advancing to Semifinals for three consecutive years. Michael was recognized with awards for Outstanding Arrangement and Outstanding Choreography for his contributions to their award-winning performances. Currently, Michael is the education coordinator for the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF), where he organizes the workshop schedule and collaborates closely with a cappella educators to deliver a diverse and enriching experience for attendees. He also evaluates recordings as a judge for the CARAs and A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs), helping recognize excellence in collegiate, high school, and professional groups. In his role at Cut Off Studios, Michael organizes and manages nationwide educational events designed to inspire and connect the a cappella community. Finally, as a production assistant for Varsity Vocals, he ensures the smooth operation of the ICHSA competitions, coordinating logistics, and working behind the scenes to support successful events. Michael’s extensive experience in performance, education, and event management highlights his passion for fostering growth in the a cappella community. 

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank University of Chicago, Emmanuelle Escandar, Voices in Your Head, Cilcan Pierce, Arifa Syeda, and Joseph Aquino; 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
 Senior Producer, ICCA & ICHSA West

Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
 Senior Producer, ICCA South

Arvin Zabalerio
Senior Producer, ICCA Central

Gemma Davies
Producer, ICCA United Kingdom

Emily Benjamin
Producer, ICCA Northeast

Adam McNeil
Producer, ICHSA Great Lakes

Valentyna Simon
Producer, ICHSA West

Ben Garza
Producer, ICHSA Southwest

Bryce McCracken
 Associate Producer, ICCA Central

Bri Decerio
 Associate Producer

Angelina Corbin
 Associate Producer
ICCA & ICHSA South

Sara Yood
Senior Producer

Emily Flanders
Director of Adjudication
 Senior Producer, ICCA Great Lakes

Andrew Poole
 Director of Digital Media

Charlotte Taylor
Marketing & Social Strategy

Holli Kitching
Senior Producer, ICCA Mid-Atlantic

Leah Alrutz
 Senior Producer, ICCA Midwest

Alaina Wegner
Producer, ICCA Southwest

Christopher Witham
 Producer, ICCA United Kingdom

Jillian Kimberlin
 Senior Producer, ICHSA Mid-Atlantic

Christopher Hoffman
 Producer, ICHSA Northeast

Jake Yoakum
Producer, ICHSA West

Nicole Palmetto
Associate Producer, ICCA Northeast

Tyandria Jaaber
Associate Producer, ICCA Mid-Atlantic

Rebecca Williamson
 Associate Producer, ICCA South

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 2025 ICCA Great Lakes 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!

#ICCA