2025 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal @ Warren Central High School

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

Warren Central High School
Saturday, February 8th, 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 Purdue Acabellas is Purdue's first all-female premier a cappella group. The Acabellas are student-led and student-funded and aim to provide community and leadership to its members. The Acabellas’ set this year is inspired by witches and they hope to leave you spellbound with their performance today.

Bare Naked Statues is Saint Louis University's all-male a cappella group. Founded in fall 2000, they have gained a strong reputation among the SLU community for innovative style, musical talent, and creative performances. Performing everything, from Beyonce and Ariana Grande to the classics like Frank Sinatra and even Little Feat, the varied musical selections and unique stylistic arrangements set BNS apart from many other collegiate a cappella groups. BNS has a mission to bring a cappella music to the St. Louis community.

Founded in October 2023, The Bloomingtones was created to foster additional vocal performance opportunities for treble-voiced Indiana University students. BT takes pride in being the newest all-female a cappella group on campus and strives to show their passion for performing through their vocal talents and strong group dynamic. During its first year, BT received 2nd at their campus a cappella competition, won New Organization of the Year, sang the national anthem at The Little 500, and hosted two concerts. For their second year as a group, they wanted to challenge themselves with a new adventure by entering the ICCA. They’re excited for this opportunity and look forward to performing!

On A Side Note (OASN) is IU Indy's one-and-only a cappella crew, bringing together an all-star lineup of student vocalists since 2016. This group has passed the mic (and the spirit) from one generation of students to the next, making magic happen with just their voices. OASN’s setlists range from catchy pop hits to soulful ballads and they love showing off their skills at events like ICCA, Regatta on the Canal, and gigs on and off campus. But it’s not all about the spotlight. OASN is a melting pot of diverse personalities, united by a love for music and good vibes. Their rehearsals are a mix of hard work, laughs, and probably a few spontaneous sing-offs. Whether they’re nailing a high note or sharing inside jokes, every moment is a blast with OASN!

Purdue Soundtracks A Cappella is a student-run vocal ensemble. They aim to create a musical community for its members through rehearsing and performing contemporary a cappella arrangements. As an organization, Soundtracks seeks to provide vocal opportunities for students seeking a more intimate singing experience at Purdue. The Soundtracks seek to represent the best Purdue has to offer, both now and in the future.

Remedy A Cappella is a co-ed contemporary a cappella group from the University of Dayton. Founded in 2013 as the University of Dayton's first a cappella group, Remedy performs a variety of styles and genres, including dark pop, rock, and jazz. Remedy has traveled, competed, and won awards in different competitive circuits, including ICCA and Harmony Sweepstakes. Most recently, Remedy was named the 2024 ICCA Quarterfinal Runner-Up and received Outstanding Soloist for alum Deven Cannon in both the ICCA and Harmony Sweepstakes. Remedy competed in the Harmony Sweepstakes Finals in San Francisco this past fall, representing the Midwest region after winning the Audience Favorite award and being named the Midwest Champions last spring. Remedy also released an EP, The Compilation, on Spotify in 2021.

Hailing from Bloomington, Ind., Resting Pitch Face is an all-gender a cappella group at Indiana University. Established in 2015, this group is known for its close-knit bond and high energy. This is their ICCA debut and they are beyond excited to perform their set. Their repertoire ranges from Florence + the Machine to Sam Smith and they love to share and perform their favorite songs together. Outside of their two annual concerts, Resting Pitch Face spends each semester performing at university-led and community-based events throughout the Midwest. The group includes members from various fields of study and brings them together to make music and friendships that outlast their time spent at Indiana University. Resting Pitch Face is so proud of how far they’ve come in nine short years of existence and cannot wait to share their sound at ICCA for the first time!

Retrograde is a competitive mixed a cappella group composed of 16 members. Founded in 2021, Retrograde excitied for a busy season of music. This is their first year competing in ICCA and they look forward to sharing their music with tonight’s audience.

Tonal Eclipse is Bowling Green State University's premier competitive mixed pop a cappella group, founded in fall 2011. They perform for various events at BGSU, the surrounding community, and at ICCA. A regular presence at ICCA throughout their history Tonal Eclipse placed 2nd at their 2021 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal, won Outstanding Vocal Percussion, and went on to place 3rd at Semifinals.They also won consecutive awards for Outstanding Arrangement at ICCA Midwest Quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024. Like all of the groups on campus, Tonal Eclipse encompasses a wide variety of majors and celebrates the diverse musical backgrounds among its members. They emphasize bonding together and with the other musical organizations on campus. After all, Tonal Eclipse is but one group of many who share a love for pop a cappella!

Underscore A Cappella, founded in 2018, is one of the University of Dayton's co-ed a cappella groups. The group is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of vocal performance, celebrating the joy of music, and sharing their love of performing with every audience. Underscore believes in the power of collaboration and creativity, blending their individual strengths to create a truly unique sound. Over the years, their original arrangements and creative musical approaches have allowed them to connect with other passionate musicians, audiences, and other groups at their school. Underscore prides itself on being a home for students of all different backgrounds. Group members range from engineering majors to education majors, with everything in between. Underscore believes that no matter what you are pursuing, if you love to perform, then you should. They value learning and growing into a more cohesive group as the year progresses and are so excited to bring the group’s new members to ICCA this year. Above all else, Underscore is a family.

GUEST PERFORMER

16th Street Soul is the premier contemporary a cappella group at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. This ensemble of 11 singers will definitely leave you wanting more! In their very first year competing, 16th Street Soul achieved the title of 2023 ICHSA Midwest Champion and one of the top nine high school a cappella groups in the country. Established in 2021, 16th Street Soul has made a lasting impact on their surrounding community. In their short history, they have been able to share the stage with great a cappella groups including TAKE6, Six Appeal, and RADIUS. The group is directed by Brian Long and Kelsey Coram.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Christopher Andres attended The Ohio State University and studied music education and music performance. He also was a member of The Ohio State University Men's Glee Club and University Chorus. Chris has been singing and playing the piano since he was 5 years old and also plays flute, tenor saxophone, baritone, and trombone. Chris has performed on numerous stages around the world as both an instrumentalist and vocalist. He currently serves as the music coordinator and music director at Oakland Church of the Brethren where he directs the bell choir, adult choir, women's choir, and the contemporary praise band. He is currently in his sixth year at Greenville Senior High School in Greenville, Ohio as the assistant vocal music director and accompanist.

Cory Ellis got his a cappella start at Northern Illinois University, where he was a founding member of the all-tenor/bass a cappella group, The NIU Huskie Hunks. Cory received his bachelor's degrees in music from Northern Illinois University and Western Illinois University, where he studied instrumental music education. Cory currently serves as the director of choral music at Rochelle Township High School, where he leads two curricular choirs and Midnight Voices, the school's vocal jazz ensemble. He is also a member of the Kishwaukee Concert Band. Cory has been judging with Varsity Vocals for eight years.

Phil Kim has been involved in the a cappella community for eight years, with seven years of arranging and vocal percussion experience. He was formerly a member of Gold 'n Blues (Marquette University) and No Comment (University of Illinois), for whom he served as music director. In 2023, No Comment placed 2nd in the ICCA Great Lakes Semifinals and 2nd in the Wildcard round, featuring Phil's work as the set's lead arranger. He continues to arrange for groups and volunteers at Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) festivals around the country.

Edric Mitchell has both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University, where he studied musical theatre and executive development for public services. During his time at Ball State, he got his start in a cappella with the all-male group, Charlie's Angels. He quickly became a founding member of the all-male a cappella group, Note to Self, with whom he spent four years as a member, coordinator, and music director. In addition, Edric was a founding member and music director of Sedoctave, and founder of the Association of Collegiate A Cappella (ACA) at Ball State. ACA is an umbrella organization that unites all collegiate a cappella groups on the BSU Campus. When Edric was a competitor in the ICCA, he received two Outstanding Arrangement awards and an Outstanding Soloist award. Since 2017, Edric has been a founding member of Impromptu, an Indianapolis-based professional a cappella group that competed in The Open, placing 2nd in the Midwest Semifinal, 2nd in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes, and won the title of VoiceJam Champions in 2018. Impromptu has traveled around the world performing at a cappella festivals in Taiwan, Russia, Boston, Memphis, and of course the Midwest! As a member of impromptu, Edric has received awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement. He is currently the theatre director at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Ind., where he directs the a cappella group Titan Harmony.

Peter Sepulveda currently teaches choir at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Ind. Before moving to Indiana, he taught at McKay High School in Salem, Ore. for nine years. During his time at McKay, he directed vocal ensembles that placed at State Festivals and Varsity Vocals Finals. As a high school director, Peter has enjoyed collaborating with collegiate groups, arrangers, clinicians, and producers throughout the country on projects and festivals. He loves seeing music provide new opportunities for his students and the power it has to bring people together. When he's not working, Peter enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Nanuk.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Brian Long, the staff at Warren Central High School, 16th Street Soul for being amazing hosts, and all the volunteers tonight; 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!

VIEW ALBUMS

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