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 SEMIFINAL

Carolina Theatre
Saturday, March 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

UGA Kalakaar is the premier South Asian a cappella ensemble at the University of Georgia, uniting talented vocalists with a shared passion for music. Since its founding in 2013 by four ambitious singers, Kalakaar has grown into a nationally recognized, nonprofit organization that performs across the U.S. Their diverse repertoire blends Bollywood, Carnatic, Hindustani, and Western styles, pushing creative boundaries and showcasing their unique fusion of cultural traditions. Driven by a mission to inspire aspiring musicians, Kalakaar promotes the power of music as a universal bond that transcends boundaries. They are dedicated to musical excellence and the ability to unite people through the beauty of vocal harmony.

Cockappella is the oldest co-ed a cappella group at the University of South Carolina, founded in 2008. This diverse group of students includes all different majors and shares a passion for music. They keep busy by performing at lots of different events around USC and Columbia. Last season included performances for the New Student Convocation, a Fireflies baseball game, South Carolina's governor's inauguration, and features on UofSC's Instagram and TikTok! They have been competing in the ICCA for eight years. They achieved 4th place at their 2024 ICCA South Quarterfinal and were awarded Outstanding Choreography for their entire set! In 2023 and 2022, they advanced to Semifinals in Durham, N.C. Cockappella has an incredible set prepared for this year's competition and they’re excited to perform again!

Prismatics, founded through friendship in 2015, is an all-gender a cappella group from Belmont University, committed to making meaningful music. Prismatics is no stranger to the ICCA stage, competing for the first time in 2017 and every year since. Prismatics has been blessed enough to attend ICCA Finals in 2021 and 2022, as well as many ICCA Semifinals, including last year's 2024 season, winning several awards along the way. They have won multiple awards for Outstanding Soloist, Outstanding Vocal Percussionist, and Outstanding Choreography, including two Outstanding Choreography awards during the 2024 season, at both Quarterfinals and Semifinals. Prismatics is ecstatic to return to the ICCA stage and compete with their peers, while sharing their passion for music.

The Pitchmen is an all-male a cappella group from Nashville, Tenn., composed of 18 students from Belmont University. Achievements include their debut album, Ultraviolet, becoming the 2023 ICCA Champions, and winning numerous ICCA awards for Outstanding Soloists, Outstanding Choreography, and Outstanding Vocal Percussion throughout the competition season. With every success, this student-run group sets itself apart through its members’ dedication to their craft and to one another. Encompassing the modern Nashville sound, they pride themselves on singing a broad range of music that offers something different for every audience member to enjoy. 

All-Night Yahtzee is an award-winning, all-gender a cappella group, known for its dynamic performances and rich harmonies. Founded in 1998 at Florida State University, the group has been captivating audiences for over two decades with its innovative arrangements and diverse musical selections. Their repertoire spans pop, R&B, and even EDM, showcasing the vocal talents of passionate singers from all walks of life. The group has consistently excelled in national competitions, including the ICCA, placing 2nd at South Semifinals last year, while also maintaining a strong campus and community presence. All-Night Yahtzee recently released their newest album, XXV, which showcases a fresh and captivating collection of a cappella performances. More than just performers, All-Night Yahtzee is a tight-knit family that celebrates the power of music to connect and inspire. They continue to push the boundaries of a cappella music while fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for their members and audiences alike. 

TrebullDawgs A Cappella is the premier a cappella group from Mississippi State University in Starkville, also known as Starkvegas. Founded in 2016, this harmonious and passionate group of singers is dedicated to spreading the joy of a cappella music across their campus and beyond. Nine years in, they have definitely accomplished that feat. More than just an a cappella group, they feel like one big family singing together onstage, which is a rare gift to find. This will be TrebullDawgs’ second time competing in the ICCA. In their ICCA debut last year, they placed 4th at Quarterfinals and won an Outstanding Soloist award for “Chains” by Nick Jonas. They are extremely excited to participate in their second season and hope to represent Mississippi to the absolute fullest! Hail State! 

“A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead.” “Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.” “Stories are cyclical in nature—it’s a tale as old as time. “What is today, was before. What was yesterday, will be tomorrow.” “Stories never really end...even if the books like to pretend they do. Stories always go on. They don't end on the last page, any more than they begin on the first page.” “Stories don’t end. They just turn into new beginnings.” —Graham Greene, Steven Pressfield, David Hatcher Childress, Cornelia Funke, and Voicebox 

BisCaydence is an award-winning a cappella group from the University of Miami, founded in 2011. Known for their vocal excellence, they placed 2nd at ICCA in 2019 and earned a spot on the BOCA 2020 album. In 2024, they advanced to the ICCA Finals and released Frostbite, an EP featuring their competition set. Dedicated to pushing creative boundaries, BisCaydence captivates audiences with their unique sound and sets themselves apart within the a cappella scene.

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. 

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!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Alexander Alberti (Alex, he/him) is a music educator and arts administrator, living in Raleigh, N.C. Alex formerly held the positions of Director of Instrumental Music at Longleaf School of the Arts (LSA) in Raleigh, N.C., and Director of Music at Southern Lee High School. Alex has taught various courses, including concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, contemporary a cappella, AP Music Theory, music history, AP Psychology, and The Psychology and Philosophy of Music. He currently serves as the Showcase Manager for the National A Cappella and Choral Convention (NACC) and is a researcher in educational technology. Alex earned his master’s degree in music education with a post-baccalaureate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2020. He is also an alumnus of Appalachian State University, where he holds a Bachelor of Music in music education and a minor in psychology. In his spare time, Alex composes both choral and instrumental works, judges for Varsity Vocals, serves as the Artistic Director of the Triangle Pride Band, and participates in the semi-professional a cappella group, Triadic Vocals. 

Jessica Efird was a member of Duke University's Sapphire for five years and missed the collaborative nature of a cappella after graduation. After a year in a community a cappella group called The Raleigh Jaychords, she co-founded Second Shift A Cappella in 2007. Second Shift has now been performing in the triangle region of North Carolina for 16 years, during which time Jessica has served multiple terms as the group’s business director and musical co-director. 

Kristin LoBiondo is no stranger to the a cappella community. She has worked as the assistant director of events for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA), and performed with professional groups, Snowday, Vox Pop, and Jaded. She earned her B.A. in vocal music at Elon University, and has judged the ICCA in North Carolina and Maryland. Kristin is super excited to be judging again, and can't wait to see how the aca-bop has transformed over the years. 

Dr. DeMar Austin Neal, IV currently serves as an Associate Professor of Music at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, N.C. He also maintains positions at Meredith College and NC State University, where he teaches a wide variety of classes and voice lessons in diverse styles. He holds a doctorate in voice performance from Florida State University, a master's degree in voice from the Boston Conservatory, and a bachelor's degree in voice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also possesses post-doctoral certifications in Vocology and Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy. DeMar has been involved in a cappella since his undergraduate days and his arrangements can be found on compilation albums including Varsity Vocals’ BOCA and CASA's Sing. Follow DeMar on Instagram @demarnealbaritone and visit www.demarneal.com 

A triangle area native, Freddy Perkins’ love for music emerged at a young age. He began his musical career as a saxophonist, and attended Appalachian State University to study classical saxophone and music therapy. There, Freddy co-founded Enharmonix, a co-ed a cappella group , where he served as the group's president and arranger for three years. In addition to his a cappella background, Freddy has performed in jazz vocal ensembles, musical theatre productions, community choirs, and voice recitals. Since graduating, Freddy has stayed involved in a cappella, recently co-founding Spectrum Vocals, a semi-professional a cappella group, based in the triangle. Freddy is a board-certified music therapist, and uses music to improve socialization, emotional expression, and speech/language with children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Ken Matz and Catch 22; 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!

#ICCA