2025 ICCA South Quarterfinal @ Carolina Theatre

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 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL

Carolina Theatre
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

Acappology, the premier all-gender a cappella group, prides itself on welcoming students of all genders, backgrounds, and orientations, while embracing their mutual love for music. Founded in 1994, the group members bring diverse musical backgrounds to the ensemble. They perform a wide variety of genres and make each piece their own through their collaborative arrangement style. Continually evolving, each Acappology performance balances each member's unique talents with their intricate group dyanmic.

Ascension is ETSU’s premier co-ed a cappella group dedicated to performing an eclectic mix of music spanning various genres and eras. Since its founding in fall 2019, Ascension has become known for its creativity, blend, and exciting music. Their mission is to create concert experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages, from your grandmother to your college roommate, a little sibling to someone discovering a cappella for the first time. Ascension's dedication to excellence has been recognized with multiple ICCA awards, including a 2nd place finish at the 2022 South Semifinals. Ascension members have also earned individual ICCA accolades, including Outstanding Vocal Percussion, Outstanding Arrangement, and Outstanding Soloist. They are excited to push the boundaries of a cappella and share their passion for music with the world.

The Chariots is UNCG's premier co-ed a cappella group. Completely student-led and student-driven, The Chariots strive to provide an inclusive and inviting space that values teamwork and offers leadership opportunities, all while creating beautiful music! They study sightreading, arranging, and general singing technique to widen students' musical knowledge and abilities, regardless of their major or previous experience. The Chariots perform all over the East Coast and invite the general public and students on campus to attend their gigs.

Chordination is NC State's newest mixed-voice a cappella group, founded in 2020! Chordination strives to create an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment that emphasizes diversity, cohesion, and community through their shared love of music. With two Quarterfinals victories and one 2nd place ranking, this is only their fifth year competing! They are so excited to showcase the hard work they’ve put into their set. Prepare to be captivated as Chordination presents a haunting tale navigating the perils of the sea!

Demon Divas is Wake Forest University’s all-female, premier a cappella group. Since its founding in 1998, the group has recorded seven albums and performed at numerous events, both on campus and in the surrounding community. Although the group members come from all over the country, they have become close friends with a shared passion for music. Last year, The Divas were thrilled to place 1st in their ICCA South Quarterfinal in Durham and take home awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Choreography, all in just their second year competing. The Divas love gathering with other talented groups at the ICCA and they are so excited to be back for 2025!

Dynamix, Clemson University’s all-gender a cappella group, brings an energetic and diverse sound to every performance. Formerly known as Clemson's Dynamic Harmonium, the group was founded with a mission to serve their community through free performances and strive for inclusivity. Dynamix stands out as the only Clemson group to have competed in the prestigious ICCA, with appearances in 2019 and 2021. Their democratic approach to music-making ensures that every member’s voice is heard, blending creativity and collaboration in their setlists. With a repertoire spanning multiple genres and a focus on delivering powerful, vibrant performances, Dynamix continues to break boundaries in the a cappella world. Whether performing on campus or at national competitions, they are committed to sharing their passion for music with the Clemson community and beyond.

The Grains of Time are proud to be NC State University’s premier all-male a cappella group since 1968. The Grains love to uphold the group’s long traditions over 55 years of history, while pushing new creative boundaries with their songs and choreography. They enjoy performing live at concerts and competitions, as well as recording their music, such as their latest single, “Leave the Door Open,” which is streaming now. Over the decades, the group has undergone many changes, including broadening their repertoire from choral music and classic oldies to pop, country, hip-hop and R&B, as well as becoming a student-led organization. Their unity and brotherhood, however, transcends time and continues to define them best. With a bond that honors the group’s long history, The Grains of Time always bring their presence and energy to the a cappella stage.

PawCappella is an a cappella group from Western Carolina University. Founded in 2021, this pop-oriented group focuses on building relationships to improve their sound! They have participated in ICCA for the past two years, coming back stronger every time as they adjust their performance skills to fit the competitive setting. As an all-inclusive club, PawCappella membership is not bound by gender, sexuality, or demographic. They pride themselves on building one another up and creating a safe space for all participants. They have been working hard to bring something new to this year’s ICCA and, even with unforeseen setbacks, they are more ready than ever. As Buster Moon from Illumination’s hit film, "Sing," once said, “You will not feel afraid anymore if you just start singing.” PawCappella looks forward to being back to take to the stage and wow the crowd!

Hailing from the vibrant halls of the University of Tennessee, reVOLution is an innovative SSAA a cappella ensemble that redefines vocal harmony and community. Led by student directors under the expert supervision of the university's choral department, this dedicated group of musicians embodies the spirit of creativity, collaboration, and growth. reVOLution is a sanctuary where voices unite to explore the art of sound in a safe and nurturing environment. Each member contributes their unique talent, forging connections through shared experiences and a commitment to excellence. Together, they cultivate an atmosphere of skill and learning, encouraging one another to push boundaries and discover new depths in their artistry. With a repertoire that spans genres and styles, reVOLution invites audiences to experience the transformative power of music. More than just concerts, their performances celebrate diversity, resilience, and the joy of vocal expression.

The Tarpeggios, affectionately known as "The Tarps," is a mixed-voice a cappella group and a distinct part of UNC-Chapel Hill’s music community. Known for their inclusivity and supportive atmosphere, The Tarps bring people together to create music and foster familial connections. Their dedication and unique artistic style have led to major competitive success in their recent ICCA showings. They won 1st place at ICCA South Quarterfinals in both 2022 and 2024, and earned Runner-Up at ICCA South Semifinals in 2020 and 2021. They have also earned special awards in every category: Outstanding Choreography, Arrangement, Soloist, and Vocal Percussion.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Dr. Kevin Badanes has a D.M.A. and M.M. in conducting from Stony Brook University, with a B.M. in music education from SUNY Fredonia. He is founder and artistic director of the professional vocal jazz octet, Avante. He has been leading a cappella and jazz groups in a three-decade career at the collegiate and professional levels. An active composer and clinician in small-ensemble singing, he is the co-creator of the nationally touring production, “STEM: the Musical.”

Rachel Chalhoub has been an a cappella performer since 2002. Whether with Florida State's Acabelles and All-Night Yahtzee, or as a professional performer with Florida's Third Row Center, New York's Element, Long Island's original electro-vocal band, The Executive Board, or North Carolina’s Jaded, she has been beatboxing and singing in harmony for almost 15 years. You may recognize her face from 2013’s "Inside A Cappella," a weekly YouTube channel dedicated to news, trends, and tips for contemporary a cappella, or from Season 4 of "The Sing-Off.” Today, Rachel lives and works in Durham, N.C. as a training developer and spends her free time editing a cappella videos for groups around the world and educating at a cappella festivals. She also works summers at Camp A Cappella as its resident videographer. Rachel wishes “break a leg” to all of the contestants and hopes they enjoy every moment on stage.

According to legend (i.e. her parents), Amy Pruitt was singing before she could talk. She fell in love with a cappella at age 9, when spontaneous harmonizing broke out at a cast party (she was playing a Cratchit child in a high school musical production of “Scrooge”). The summer before freshman year of high school, Amy began an unbroken streak of continuously singing in a cappella groups that would go on for the next 20 years. Highlights include busking with her high school group on the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland, during the Fringe Festival, and performing for a crowd of more than 20,000 at UNC’s Keenan Stadium for their 4th of July celebration. While in college at the University of Michigan, she arranged, performed, and competed in ICCA tournaments with Amazin’ Blue. Since then, Amy has sung with several professional a cappella groups, including Transit Vocal Band, Avante Vocal Jazz, and her current group, THEORY: the Vocal Experiment. Amy is honored to participate tonight in memory of her dear friend, Jim Diego.

While his experience with a cappella began as a member of Eight Beat Measure in 2005, Rick Thomas has been extremely active in the greater a cappella community since 2010. Over the years, he has served as Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) Program Manager of Awards, Director of Outreach for both CASA and the A Cappella Education Association, and a member of the SoJam production team. Additionally, Rick serves as a clinician for groups across the country and works as a producer and mix engineer with Richard Thomas Music.

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 South 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