2025 ICCA Northeast Quarterfinal @ Berklee College of Music

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 NORTHEAST QUARTERFINAL

Berklee College of Music
Saturday, February 15th, 2025

WE'RE SOCIAL

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

varsityvocals

@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

Distilled Harmony is one of the many collegiate a cappella groups in Boston and one of three all-gender groups at Northeastern University. Founded in 2003, they are an energetic, creative, and dedicated group, performing all types of music, from Phoebe Bridgers to FLO. In addition to singing at Northeastern, they perform at shows throughout the Greater Boston Area and have progressed to ICCA Semifinals! Last year, DH released a live performance video series and EP, titled Nova, on all streaming platforms. They also performed at the 2024 National A Cappella Convention (NACC) in Orlando, Fla., and will release their performance set as an EP soon! Their large catalog of studio projects includes their 2022 ICCA EP, Mirage, and a new single, “How Ya Doin’?” by Little Mix. Despite all their hard work, Distilled Harmony is a group full of heart and laughter and they love sharing that essence through their music! Stay up to date on DH activities by following them @distilledharmonynu on all social media platforms.

UMass Lowell is the home of The Riverhawks. In 2009, Hawkapella spread its wings, becoming the first and only all-male a cappella group on campus. Hawkapella prides itself on their pop and rock-influenced repertoire, their commitment to making audiences smile, and their bond of brotherhood. In the 2016-2017 academic year, Hawkapella recorded its first-ever studio EP. Hatched dropped in 2017 and is available to stream or purchase on major platforms. Between the academic years of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, Hawkapella recorded and released its first full length studio album. How to Tie a Bowtie released in 2019 and is also available to stream or purchase on major platforms. Hawkapella is very excited to participate in the 2025 season of ICCA!

The Hawkettes is an SSAA a cappella group formed at University of Massachusetts Lowell in spring 2014. This tight-knit group is composed of fun-loving and hard-working individuals from all different majors and class years. They focus on sharing their love of and passion for music with the community, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all members, including those who are LGBTQ+. The Hawkettes’ fresh arrangements are all created by current group members or alumni and emphasize themes of empowerment. The group has also released recordings on Spotify, including an EP, Lavandula, and their hit single, "Here." Their newest single, "Who Do You Love," was released in fall 2019. In addition to their annual winter and spring concerts, The Hawkettes are involved with various events throughout the year, both on and off campus. The group often performs the national anthem at UMass Lowell ceremonies, fundraisers, and ice hockey games. For the last two years, The Hawkettes participated in the ICCA and are thrilled to be back! Follow them on Instagram @thehawkettes for more!

In 1949, four Brown University students broke away from the traditional men’s glee club to form their own independent singing group, The Jabberwocks, making them the oldest a cappella group at Brown. With innovative, reimagined musical performances, The Jabberwocks are committed to pushing the envelope of a cappella excellence. The “Wocks" have had multiple tracks featured on the BOCA albums, won multiple Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs), and toured all over the world, including to South Korea last summer. In 2019, The Jabberwocks transitioned from all-male TTBB group to all-gender. Over the past two years, they have placed 3rd and won Outstanding Choreography in their ICCA Quarterfinals.

Off the Clock is an auditioned a cappella group that provides a positive environment for both musical and social development. The group focuses on vocal production, ear training, and performance skills. Composed of undergraduate students, Off the Clock brings their passion for music and the arts to every performance. The group performs for a variety of organizations and events, including the Bentley Benefactor Dinner, the First Falcons Pinning Ceremony, and many self-hosted concerts.

Pitch, Please! is a women-centered treble a cappella group from Northeastern University. Since they were founded in 2012, they have pushed boundaries and challenged standards of traditional collegiate a cappella. Last spring, they earned 3rd place overall at ICCA Finals, after placing 1st in the Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds, winning numerous awards for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Vocal Percussion, and Outstanding Soloist along the journey. Last year, they also won the Audience Favorite Award at SingStrong AcaIdol Competition, placed 3rd at the Boston Sings (BOSS) Scholastic competition, and earned awards for Outstanding Vocal Percussion and Most Captivating Solo. They have won 11 CARAs including Best Upper Voices Album for both their album, Obsidian, in 2020 and their most recent EP, Indigo, in 2023. Performance highlights include the Boston Red Sox’s first international women’s celebration game, City of Boston events featuring Mayor Michelle Wu, and “The Today Show” in New York for International Women’s Day in 2020. Follow them @NUPitchPlease on all social media platforms for more exciting music and projects coming soon!

Suffolk University’s The Ramifications is the school’s oldest all-gender a cappella group and one of many voice groups on campus. The group members represent all different backgrounds and majors and bond as an ensemble through a shared passion for music. They work hard throughout the year to learn a variety of complex arrangements and perform throughout the Greater Boston Area. The Ramifications are very excited to be competing again this year and looking forward to sharing the stage with friends from other universities.

Founded in 1996 around three core ideals (fun, love, and music), The Boston University Treblemakers is a dynamic community that spans generations. These values remain the heart of everything they do, uniting members past and present in their shared passions for music, connection, and creativity. The Treblemakers have released nine studio albums and three EPs over the years, with their latest project, Afterglow, now streaming on all platforms. Their YouTube channel features a vibrant collection of live music videos, showcasing their infectious energy and musicality for audiences worldwide. Known for their diverse repertoire, high-energy performances, and talented soloists, The Treblemakers have a reputation for captivating audiences. They’ve also made a name for themselves in the competitive scene, regularly participating in the ICCA and most recently securing 1st place at the 2023 Northeast Quarterfinals. Beyond competitions, The Treblemakers traveled to last year’s Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF), where they performed, joined masterclasses, and received feedback from expert judges. Whether onstage, in the studio, or creating memories together, The Treblemakers are committed to spreading joy through music, one performance at a time.

GUEST PERFORMER

Louis Shriber is a New England-based conductor, composer, director, and singer. He is currently concluding a bachelor's degree in music composition and jazz performance at the University of Rhode Island. He serves as the music director of The Rhody Rhapsodies, URI's premier a cappella group. He’ll be performing repertoire ranging from Great American Songbook, cool jazz, along with some originals. He’s so excited to be back at the ICCA to watch the show and perform!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Jessica Chen is the Senior Director of Development and External Relations at the Community Music Center of Boston. Prior to her current role, she received her M.A. in child study and human development from Tufts University and worked in various roles at Tufts, ZUMIX, and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. In the contemporary a cappella community, Jessica serves as the Executive Producer for the NE Voices Festival and as the Director of Awards for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA). Other interests include video games, Boston sports, and all dogs ever.

Jarell Green has been involved with a cappella since middle school where he was able to perform with then-winners of NBC's “The Sing-Off,” Pentatonix. A recent graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied packaging science and music, he was the music director of Eight Beat Measure. With Eight Beat, Jarell worked on multiple CARA-nominated tracks, competed in ICCA, and was fortunate enough to win three ICCA Outstanding Soloist awards and an Outstanding Choreography award. Jarell has also been involved with The Hyannis Sound, a professional, male-identifying a cappella group that performs all along Cape Cod and the surrounding New England area all summer long, where he has performed at hundreds of concerts for thousands of people and varying audiences.

Amy Malkoff is one of the producers of the Haunted Harmonies festival in Salem, Mass. She has served as the marketing director for the A Cappella Education Association, as well as the media director of the Women's A Cappella Association (WACA), and on the board and as web content director for CASA. She is a longtime ICHSA/ICCA judge, as well as a certified judge for other vocal events. She is a workshop teacher, master clinician, writer, designer, social media manager (www.amymalkoff.com), and a singer/songwriter and studio musician (www.amymalkoffmusic.com). She currently runs and manages the New Hampshire-based performance venue Club Sandwich (Sandwich, N.H.), where celebrity John Davidson performs on weekends, along with a lineup of nationally known artists on Thursdays. She was a founding member of the groups All About Buford and Deadline Poet and has appeared onstage and in the studio with acts such as Wayne Brady, Jonathan Brooke, The Persuasions, Ellis Paul, Vance Gilbert, GrooveLily, Patty Griffin, and Dar Williams. She has a degree in music from Kenyon College, with music studies at Youngstown State University and master’s-level coursework at the New England Conservatory of Music. Amy's music has appeared on both the Rounder Records and Hear Music/Starbucks labels. @amalkoff

Tyler Nordin is a full-time performer, arranger, producer, and educator based in Boston. He is a member of Ball in the House, an internationally touring pop/R&B/soul a cappella group. Tyler’s a cappella journey began in high school, leading him to attend A Cappella Academy in 2015 and 2016. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in music business & management from Berklee College of Music in 2020. Throughout his career, Tyler has performed with groups such as Upper Structure, On The Vox, Sound Off, and Inside Voices, and his arranging and production work has been featured by vocal groups across the country. When he’s not making music, Tyler is an avid professional wrestling fan and enjoys playing video games.

Sarah Thomson is a seasoned ICCA competitor and lover of all things a cappella. She attended the College of William and Mary where she double majored in vocal music, directed the mixed-voice group, The Cleftomaniacs, and helped found the College's sole competitive a cappella group, No Ceiling, in 2015. She is now a current member and co-director of the award-winning post-collegiate a cappella group, Sound Off, in Boston. She is also active in the choral community and has performed with numerous organizations, including the Back Bay Chorale, Harmonium Choral Society, and Botetourt Chamber Singers. When she isn't making music, you can find her managing international infectious disease research at Boston Medical Center and curating her food Instagram in her tiny Boston apartment kitchen.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank the staff at Berklee Performance Center and Jill Clark Productions; 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 Northeast 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

#ICCA