2025 ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal @ Johns Hopkins University

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 MID-ATLANTIC QUARTERFINAL

Johns Hopkins University
Saturday, February 15th, 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

The AllNighters is Johns Hopkins University's premier all-male a cappella group, established 1992. They’ve performed gigs for diverse audiences, ranging from JHU alumni to governors and world leaders. Their music ranges from Dua Lipa and Lawrence to Silk Sonic and Twice. The AllNighters have made five appearances at ICCA Semifinals, as well as one appearance at Finals in New York.

Founded in 1994, Juxtaposition is Virginia Tech’s premier all-male a cappella group. With decades of vocal excellence, Juxta has become a pillar of the Virginia Tech community. They have released 15 studio albums, with nine songs featured in BOCA compilations. Their latest album, Retrospect, is available on all major streaming platforms and showcases an eclectic range of songs from artists like Hozier, Fleetwood Mac, and Duncan Laurence. No stranger to the competitive a cappella scene, Juxtaposition has competed in the ICCA since 1998. Most recently, they were proud to be 2023 ICCA South Semifinalists, and they are thrilled to take the stage once again this season. Juxta’s repertoire spans decades, from timeless hits to today’s chart-toppers, cleverly juxtaposing classic melodies with fresh, contemporary sounds. As a student-run group, Juxtaposition continues to push creative boundaries, delivering unforgettable performances while staying rooted in their love for music and brotherhood. Follow them on Instagram @vtjuxta for updates and they can’t wait to share their set with you tonight!

The UMBC Mama's Boys hail from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County! This group was founded in 2003 by four guys who wanted to share their love for music with the world. Since then, the group has steadily grown in strength and skill. The group members bring a variety of musical backgrounds to the group’s music, covering everything from Chance the Rapper to Christina Perri and The Weeknd. The Mama’s Boys seek to try something new with every song, whether they’re adding an original rap in the middle of a Justin Timberlake song or turning the upbeat vibe of a Carrie Underwood song into a slow, burning rage. No matter what genre they’re tackling, they always bring their innovative style. In 2020, The Mama's Boys finished ICCA Quarterfinals in 3rd place and won an award for Outstanding Choreography. Although they sadly had to withdraw from last year's competition due to sickness, The Mama’s Boys are back and ready to sing it out!

Founded in 1995, Melica A Cappella is Elizabethtown College’s all-female, all-treble a cappella group, consisting of 17 fabulous members. Melica’s aims to uplift women through the undeniable power of music and to inspire women to live confidently. Melica uses a butterfly symbol to reflect their signature song, “Wings” by all-girl group, Little Mix. The butterfly also represents their mission statement, symbolizing individuality, growth, and empowerment. Melica primarily sings pop songs, but also explores R&B, indie, and alternative genres. Their original arrangements often highlight iconic female artists. Melica believes in education for service, regularly participating in Elizabethtown College’s Into the Streets Day of Service, and performing benefit concerts to contribute funds to The Clare House, the At Children’s Project, and the Elle Foundation. Their proceeds benefit homeless women and children, AT disease, and pediatric cancer. Last year, Melica returned to ICCA for the first time since 2018. In 2025, Melica will celebrate its 30th birthday and they look forward to celebrating that milestone at ICCA!

Note-oriety is James Madison University's premier award-winning upper-voice a cappella group. Founded in 1998 by Kelly Myer-Femenella and Bonnie Estes, Note-oriety performs all around the JMU campus and at events all over the East Coast. Note-oriety is a nationally recognized group, consistently ranked as one of the top upper-voice a cappella groups in the country. They have been recognized and praised by prominent figures in the music industry, including Lake Street Dive, Kelly Clarkson, TLC, and Nicki Minaj. College Magazine named them one of "The 10 Female Groups Running the A Cappella World" in February 2018. They have also been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2019, they earned 3rd place at ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals. They also won a 2016 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Female Collegiate Song for "Bang Bang" from their self-titled album, Note-oriety (2015). This song was also chosen as one of the Recorded A Cappella Review Board's (RARB) Songs of the Year, while Note-oriety was named their 2016 Album of the Year. Note-oriety is a sisterhood bound by their love for music and lifelong friendship.

The Notes of Ranvier is Johns Hopkins University's premier all-gender competitive and community service a cappella group. They perform a variety of genres, including pop, indie, and R&B.

Established in 1989, The Octopodes is Johns Hopkins University’s oldest premier all-gender a cappella group. For over 30 years, The Octopodes have performed onstage and recorded in studio, with critically acclaimed studio albums available on major streaming services and multiple appearances in the Semifinals of the ICCA. In 2023, The Octopodes claimed the title of ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal Champions and progressed to Semifinals. That same year, The Octopodes released an EP, Pendulum, which you can find on all streaming platforms. Beyond competing and recording, The Octopodes host on-campus concerts, attend a cappella festivals and gigs, and excite a wide variety of audiences at off-campus performances.

Take Note is a competitive all-treble a cappella group at Christopher Newport University. Founded in 2010, Take Note aims to empower and uplift all singers, especially those from the LGBTQ+ community. In attempts to deconstruct the binary of music, Take Note performs a diverse repertoire of songs from various genres and artists.The group deeply values amplifying the voices of its members and prides itself on arranging all pieces internally. Not only a spirited group of musicians, Take Note is a group of fierce friends and harbingers of musical excellence

The UMBC Cleftomaniacs is the premier all-gender a cappella group from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Established in 2006, their ICCA accolades include the title of 2018 ICCA Mid-Atlantic Champions, 3rd place in 2019, and Outstanding Choreography. They love performing all genres of music and are excited to be here this season!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Evan Belcher is an award-winning arranger, music director, masterclass instructor, and vocal percussionist. He joined Mason Some Noise (now MSN) at George Mason University in 2016. Evan led the group from their debut ICCA performance in 2018 to consistent competitive success including their first Semifinals appearance, and earned multiple Outstanding Awards for arrangement as well as vocal percussion. Since his graduation in 2020, Evan has stayed involved in the a cappella community, co-founding All Ears Arranging, an a cappella arranging and masterclassing company.

Charnice Frazier has a long-lasting relationship with music and has been singing since she could speak. In addition to singing in choirs from middle school through college, Charnice was part of a chamber a cappella ensemble in high school called Infinity. Through this ensemble, she realized that she wanted a cappella to always be a part of her life. In fall 2012, Charnice joined James Madison University's premier female a cappella group, Note-oriety, and served as business manager and president during her years with them. Along with leading the group, she arranged songs and helped record their award-winning album, Note-oriety. Charnice currently resides in Southern Maryland and is the choral director at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Md. Outside of teaching, Charnice sings in D.C.'s newest all-female vocal group, The District, and is one of the group’s assistant music directors.

Alex McKay is a vocalist, arranger, and music director based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. He has been performing since the age of 9, singing across the U.S. and Europe with ensembles such as the Richmond Symphony Chorus and the University of Michigan Chamber Choir, as well as state, regional, and national honors choirs. Alex earned his Bachelor of Music Arts in vocal performance from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where he studied with world-renowned operatic tenor, George Shirley. At Michigan, he served as the music director of Amazin' Blue A Cappella for three consecutive years, arranging and producing multiple award-winning ICCA sets. During his senior year, he was elected to the executive board of the University of Michigan A Cappella Council, which oversees the nation’s largest collegiate a cappella community. Competing in ICCA was a highlight of Alex’s undergraduate experience and he is thrilled to continue his journey with Varsity Vocals!

Veena Sivaraman's musical journey began at the age of four with intensive training in Carnatic (Indian classical) music. She has also trained in western vocal music and the Chitravina, a rare Indian classical string instrument. At the University of Maryland, Veena immersed herself in collegiate a cappella as a member of Anokha, the university’s Indian fusion a cappella team. As both president and music director, she led the group to the national stage three out of her four years, earning accolades for her leadership and artistry, the title of Outstanding Female Vocalist at three national competitions, along with recognition for outstanding arrangement and visual performance. Veena has performed solo classical Indian vocal concerts in India during the prestigious December Music Festival and across the United States at venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. A decorated competitor, Veena has won 1st place in multiple categories, including Rhythmic Improvisation, at the Cleveland Carnatic Music Competition. In 2014, she was also the 1st Runner-Up on the Indian reality singing show, "Star Singer U.S.A." In addition to her professional career as a Private Equity Underwriter, Veena continues to share her passion for music through performances and collaborations, carrying forward the rich traditions of Indian classical and contemporary fusion music.

Ashlyn Thomas is an award-winning music director and arranger. In her collegiate a cappella career with George Mason University's MSN A Cappella, she attended the Mid-Atlantic Semifinals and won Outstanding Arrangement before taking leadership of the group in 2020. As the president and music director of MSN, she led the group in their most successful ICCA season in 2023, earning their first-ever spot in the Wildcard round. Ashlyn was also a founding member of the award-winning professional group NOVEM who competed in The Open Northeast Semifinals in 2021. She is also a co-founder of All Ears Arranging, an a cappella arranging and master-classing company which has produced multiple award-winning sets for groups in the D.C. area.

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
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 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!

VIEW ALBUMS

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