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 MIDWEST QUARTERFINAL
Washington University in St. Louis
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
Astha A Cappella is Saint Louis University's premier co-ed, South Asian fusion team. "Astha" means faith in Hindi. Established in 2006, the group was founded by six students who came together to sing Indian fusion music, hang out, and jam. They had faith in music and Astha A Cappella was born. Astha has evolved from jam-session to complex compositions. The group members come from a variety of backgrounds, all with an interest in singing melodies that combine Western and Eastern musical influences.
Decadence A Cappella is one of Saint Louis University's all-gender a cappella groups! Founded in 2010, Decadence has been competing in ICCA for over a decade, earning special awards and top placements over the years. Although the group size and composition has changed in that time, Decadence has always enjoyed performing at the ICCA competition.
Echoes A Cappella is the University of Notre Dame's all-gender a cappella group! They sing a variety of genres, including pop, soul, funk, jazz, R&B, and more. They have performed in four previous ICCA competitions, most recently in 2022. In their 2018 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal, an Echoes member (Annie Battle) won the Outstanding Soloist award.
EQ Blu is from Murray State University in Western Kentucky and this is their fourth time competing in ICCA. Last year, they were thrilled to place 3rd at Midwest Quarterfinals in Harrison, Ohio. Other festival performances include the Briarcrest A Cappella Invitational and National A Cappella Convention (NACC). The group is directed by Dr. Christopher Mitchell, a voice teacher and choral director in the music program at Murray State.
Miner Key is Missouri S and T's first and only a cappella group. Since its founding in 2018, the group has grown from eight friends with a love for music to an14-member competitive ensemble. Miner Key is composed entirely of engineering and science majors and they seek to promote a local community of music and have fun while doing it.
The Mosaic Whispers is WashU’s oldest all-gender a cappella group, with 11 award-winning albums. They perform around the Midwest and at ICCA, where they have been recognized with awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Choreography, Soloist, and Vocal Percussion. They are passionate and dedicated to music, but their sense of community truly sets them apart. Whispers work hard and play hard, from family dinners, karaoke nights, and annual spring break trips to recording music at Pixar Studios. The various alumni that travel to their spring concert each year prove that Whispers are forever, whether they’re going viral on TikTok, singing backup for Taylor Swift, or releasing music of their own!
Reverb is WashU’s premier all-gender community service a cappella group. Since its conception in 2017, Reverb has focused on making singing accessible by sharing and performing music across campus and throughout the St. Louis area. Reverb has performed for community-oriented events such as Relay for Life, WashU’s Give Thanks Give Back, the Sickle Cell Anemia Gala, and events with the St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Reverb is multi-genre, performing songs by artists such as Nina Simone, Ariana Grande, and The Beatles. They love singing all over St. Louis, bonding outside of rehearsals, and making lots of memories in the process! Reverb is super excited to be performing in their very first ICCA competition!
The WashU Sensasians is WashU's premier Asian-interest acapella group. With their music, they aim to help bridge Western and Asian culture through contemporary a cappella. Every year, The Sensasians perform at various events, including their semesterly concerts, WashU’s Lunar New Year Festival, the ICCA, and many Asian culture events around campus and St. Louis! The Sensasians are a close-knit panda family who love exploring diverse musical genres, drinking boba, and having fun together, all while striving for musical excellence and developing a richer appreciation for Asian culture.
Founded in 2014, Six-Eight Christian A Cappella is a family that seeks to bring Christian values to the Saint Louis University campus through music and community outreach. They try to emulate the values of Micah 6:8, "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly." They do this in their music by consciously choosing songs that talk about love and hope, raising money at their concerts for on-campus charities, and constantly trying to spread love among the group and to others.
Ten40! Acappella is everyone's favorite (and only) tenor/bass a cappella group at Bowling Green State University! They are ecstatic to be returning to the ICCA stage for their 11th year! Ten40! has won multiple Quarterfinals and competed in many Semifinals. Performing independently since 2010, the group prides itself on brotherhood, musicality, and unforgettable moments of fun on stage and around the community. This year's set is a journey through all forms of love, towards the self, another, or even a place! Ten40! hopes you have as much fun during their set as they have singing it!
GUEST PERFORMER
Viva Voce is an all-treble a cappella group at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Mo. Founded in 2016, Viva Voce is currently a group of 19 students with a variety of different interests, united through their love of a cappella and vocal music. Outside of rehearsals, you can find Viva Voce sharing their music at community events and concerts. Follow them @VivavoceLHS!
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
After singing in choirs since elementary school, Alli Baranski entered the world of a cappella in her freshman year at the University of Mary Washington. She joined the co-ed a cappella group, The One Note Stand, in which she sang alto and was a frequent soloist for her four years there. When Alli began with the group, they had never performed at the ICCA, and she led the group’s effort to compete in 2017 and 2018, helping them reach 3rd place at their Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Alli became affiliated with Cut Off Studios, where she coordinates and teaches at educational events. She has worked as a clinician for two years and specializes in helping groups find their identity, both musically and literally.
Aurielle (Macchi) Carter received her Bachelor of Arts in music from Missouri State University, where she was a proud member of the University's premier all-female a cappella group, A Cub Bella, and participated in the flagship touring choir, The Missouri State University Chorale. With nearly 20 years of performance experience, Aurielle has had the honor of performing in the Missouri Thespians All-State Show, at the International Thespian Festival, at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C., and at the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. After her time at Missouri State, Aurielle earned her master's degree in music therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, where she is now a board-certified music therapist. Using music as a medium for movement, expression, and communication, Aurielle finds fulfillment in supporting children, families, and organizations as they work together to achieve individual goals through music.
Ruthie Grollman has been a part of the a cappella community for nine years. Her passion for a cappella began during her sophomore year of high school when she joined Parkway North's Powder Room. During her senior year, this all-female group went to Finals in New York, where they received 3rd place overall. She continued her a cappella journey when she attended Missouri State University. She auditioned for and was accepted into MSU's premier all-female group, A Cub Bella. During her four years in the group, Ruthie served as choreographer, assistant music director, and music director. Ruthie graduated with her degree in music education in May 2018.
Jamie Perkins received a B.A. in music from Washington University in St. Louis, where he sang for four years as a member of The Amateurs, as well as Wash U's concert and chamber choirs. Jamie served as The Amateurs' music director for his final two years with the group before graduating in the spring of 2013. After graduating from Wash U, Jamie spent two years at Webster University, and earned a master's degree in choral conducting. At Webster, he sang with the Webster University Chamber Singers and worked as the assistant conductor for Webster's choirs. Jamie currently works for the Washington University Department of Music, and he is happy to be back in the a cappella community as an ICCA judge.
Lindsay Ryan has been an accomplished performer, director, arranger, choreographer, and vocal percussionist for most of her life. Born in St. Louis, she began her career performing in musical theatre productions at the St. Louis MUNY Opera. From there, her talents took her across the country with credits including the 30th Anniversary national tour of “Annie,” performing for the NBA L.A. Lakers, NBA L.A. Clippers, and the WNBA L.A. Sparks, and appearing on shows like “X-Factor” and “Oprah.” Eventually, she found her way to a cappella music, beginning with arranging and beatboxing at age 13 and going on to win multiple awards for arranging and performance at vocal and choral competitions all over the U.S. At the age of 16, she graduated high school and began her own childrens’ music education program/performance group called RockNacappella. Soon after the group was formed, they went on to perform at venues like the STAPLES Center, GRAMMY Museum, Pantages Theatre, and the L.A. Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival (winning Best Arrangement and 1st Runner Up in 2015), and released music on platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Since then, Lindsay has returned to St. Louis and continues to arrange, choreograph, and consult for various a cappella and vocal groups across the country.
SPECIAL THANKS
Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank the 560 Music Center, Washington University, Jeff Griswold, Emily Kennebeck, and all of the volunteers; 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 Midwest 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