2025 ICCA Mid-Atlantic Semifinal @ The Grand Wilmington

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 SEMIFINAL

The Grand Wilmington
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025

WE'RE SOCIAL

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

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@varsityvocals

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

Off Track is an all-gender a cappella group founded in fall 2021. What originally began as a group of friends looking for a musical outlet turned into an award-winning group, when they performed for the very first time at the ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals and won 1st place. Even with such a humbling achievement, the group continues to value fun and friendship. Above all, Off Track seeks to foster a supportive and diverse environment where anyone with a passion for singing can succeed and have fun while doing it.

The Trentones is TCNJ’s premier competitive a cappella group. This group of 18 musicians spans various majors and backgrounds and shares a common love for music. The Trentones was founded in 2002 by a group of passionate artists and the current members carry out their legacy of cultivating friendship, creativity, and art for all to hear. Since the group’s genesis, The Trentones have competed annually in the ICCA, taking home several awards in the process. They are so excited to have the chance to compete again this year!

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.

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!

Faux Paz is UMD's oldest all-gender a cappella group, performing mainly R&B and pop arrangements. In 2021, the group placed 1st at ICCA Finals and had the opportunity to come back to New York the following year to guest perform at ICHSA Finals. Back in 2016, the group was featured on Pop TV's docu-series, “Sing It On,” which was produced by John Legend and followed the group’s journey as they prepared for that ICCA season and ultimately took 3rd place at Finals. Nowadays, Faux Paz travels to perform at nearby schools, continues to compete, and is in the process of recording another album which will be released on all streaming platforms.

The Supernovas is Villanova’s oldest all-gender a cappella group. Villanova does not have a music major, so the group members come from a wide range of undergraduate studies, including engineering, nursing, finance, and more. Even so, The Supernovas are dedicated singers and come together to arrange and perform their own music all year. You can hear The Supernovas’ latest work by searching “The Supernovas” wherever you stream your music. Tonight, The Supernovas are proud to take the stage for their ninth ICCA season!

Ramifications is a premier, award-winning a cappella group from Virginia Commonwealth University. Founded in 2009, the group started out as The Compass Singers, but officially changed their name to The Ramifications by summer 2010. Specializing in contemporary a cappella, the group covers a wide range of genres, from pop and rock to R&B and indie hits. In the 14 years since, The Ramifications has grown in talent and notoriety, establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with. The Ramifications host Richmond Rhythm, Virginia's very own annual collegiate a cappella invitational, and have competed and performed all around Virginia. In 2018, they were the first group from VCU to advance to the international stage of the ICCA as 2021 ICCA Finalists. In addition to releasing their first studio album in 2019, titled Genesis, The Ramifications were featured on the 2020 BOCA for their song, "Bellyache," and the 2021 BOCA for their song, "Freedom." They will soon release their next single, “Mania,” on all streaming platforms. You can find The Ramifications on Instagram @ramificationsvcu!

Sons of Pitch is the George Washington University's premier a cappella group for tenor and bass voice parts. Founded in 2003, SOP has spent the past 21 years making music for the GW community, D.C., and beyond. They've performed at Nationals Park, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and at various universities around the DMV. Check out their music on Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen! #SOPWhat?!

Under A Rest is one of four a cappella groups at West Chester University, and just celebrated 10 years as a group! As one of two competitive groups at the school, UAR is a gender-inclusive a cappella group that performs contemporary a cappella music in and around the West Chester community. In 2024, Under A Rest competed in and placed 2nd in the ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals, 3rd at the Mid-Atlantic Semifinals, and 2nd in the Wildcard round. UAR is so grateful for the experiences that they have had sharing their music with the community! In 2022, UAR traveled to New York City, to perform as the opening act for the Radio City Rockettes on the Radio City Music Hall Stage! Under A Rest made its SoJam debut this past November in North Carolina! UAR has been working on recording their newest repertoire to share on all streaming platforms, with an album release tentatively planned for this upcoming summer. Keep an eye on their social media for more updates and information.

Founded in 2013, High Street Harmonix is a dynamic and inclusive a cappella ensemble from West Chester University. Since its ICCA debut in 2015, the group has consistently excelled, earning top placements on four occasions since 2018. Known for their talent and innovation, they’ve garnered multiple accolades, with awards recognizing their outstanding vocal percussion, and solo performances. High Street Harmonix has released three studio albums: XCLAMATION, Exhale, and With An X, each highlighting the group’s unique style and evolving sound. They will be working on their fourth album this year, which will showcase a variety of new arrangements and fresh voices from the current group. In addition to their vocal talent, the group’s success stems from their commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. High Street Harmonix pushes the boundaries of contemporary a cappella, experimenting with new musical styles, and embracing bold, creative risks. In recent years, their growing reputation has opened doors to more performance opportunities, including gigs at local music venues, campus events, and collaborations with other a cappella groups at universities. Beyond the stage, they actively engage with their community and work to inspire the next generation of a cappella performers.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Jenna Camacho is a passionate music educator in the School District of Philadelphia, with a specialization in a cappella and choir. Jenna graduated from Temple in the spring of 2022 with a B.M. in music education and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in music education. She continues to share her love of a cappella and vocal music with her students. She currently sings with VICE, a women’s a cappella group based in New York. Most notably, she served as the music director of Cape Harmony, Cape Cod’s professional female a cappella group from 2020-2022. She has competed in the ICCA and The Open with various groups and loves to experience how a cappella music evolves over time. Jenna is excited to give back to Varsity Vocals, since this organization helped inspire her passion for a cappella.

Kevin DeLisa is a charismatic, well-rounded vocal educator with a bachelor's degree in music education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in music and music education from Columbia University. He has taught in a wide variety of musical spaces throughout his young career, allowing for a sense of diversity in educational thought. Kevin’s pedagogy for music education through an instrumental, vocal, and theoretical basis all prove to give high-level musicianship, community, and performance opportunities for his students. Kevin has also been nationally recognized for his vocal and a cappella arrangements, including a 2018 ICCA award for Outstanding Arrangement and a 2021 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Male Collegiate Arrangement. He has written over 90 vocal arrangements for collegiate, professional, and high school ensembles, all of which return with high praise of engraving, voice leading, and enjoyment. His writing style focuses on cohesion of line for the performers, without sacrificing intrigue and emotional development for the audience. His scoring is succinct, advanced, and comprehensive for any level of performance.

Kate Elmendorf is a passionate advocate for contemporary voice pedagogy, currently serving as a Professor of Commercial Music at Shenandoah University and Temple University. With a master's degree in contemporary voice pedagogy, a B.M. in music education from Berklee College of Music, and background as an alum of Upper Structure (collegiate) and Sound Off (professional), she brings a wealth of knowledge surrounding vocalists and commercial music. Based in Philadelphia, Kate balances her teaching with a career as a professional vocalist. Her research focuses on vital topics such as transgender allyship in voice teaching and music education and the effects of COVID-19 on singers, all aiming to create inclusive spaces and address challenges faced by vocalists in today's ever-evolving landscape. tinyvoicestudio.com

JT Fryer graduated from the University of Delaware in 2014 and began his teaching career in Madison, N.J. In 2015, he founded Scarlet Sound A Cappella at Neptune High School, leading the group to three consecutive appearances at ICHSA Semifinals. In 2022, JT jumped at the opportunity to lead the choral program at West Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska. During his year at West High, he founded Fermata Nowhere A Cappella, organized the first-ever Anchorage School District A Cappella Festival, and collaborated with Pipeline Vocal Project. Since moving back to the East Coast, JT has made the transition to educational administration. He remains involved in the music community and continues to advocate for equity and accessibility for all musicians and students.

Steve Weber is a graduate of both Cedarville University (B.A. in music) and Boston University (M.A. in music education). He has been teaching high school music for 24 years in southern New Jersey, where he currently directs The Foxy Jukebox, the a cappella group from Moorestown Friends School. This group has been featured on Philadelphia radio many times and competed at the ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Semifinals in four of the past seven years. In his spare time, Steve works with many regional music groups, including The Philadelphia Vocal Conservatory, Triple Threat Theater Productions, and The Ritz Theatre Company of Oaklyn.

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 placing group at this event will advance to the 2025 ICCA Finals.

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

#ICCA