2025 ICCA Southwest Quarterfinal @ the Rococo Theater

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 SOUTHWEST QUARTERFINAL

Rococo Theater
Saturday, February 1st, 2025

WE'RE SOCIAL

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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

In 2002, two University of Nebraska students gathered a group of their most talented friends to sing together. Since then, their small group of singers has evolved into a thriving a cappella ensemble known as The Bathtub Dogs. Today, Bathtub Dogs is the premier tenor-baritone-bass a cappella ensemble at UNL. When they’re not in class, The Dogs perform on campus and all across the state and region. Notably, the group has made it to ICCA Semifinals the past two years, taking home 3rd place and Outstanding Choreography in Phoenix last year. Their goals as a performing ensemble are simply to entertain and have fun!

Boots & Cats, the premier treble a cappella group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was founded in 2011 and features 18 undergraduate students. Entirely student-led and directed, the members of Boots & Cats are involved in a variety of majors and activities across campus. B&C enjoys performing in the Lincoln community and recording music. They have released two albums, four singles, and two EPs, including their 2023 ICCA set, entitled Where Do I Go? Boots & Cats is grateful for every opportunity to share their friendship and love of music!

Butler A Cappella is thrilled to be involved with ICCA for the second time. Last year, they came out with no idea what to expect and loved the whole experience. They learned a ton, made some friends, and were blown away by the talent in their region. Butler A Cappella hopes to keep growing as musicians, arrangers, and choreographers and is excited for another chance to collaborate with more a cappella enthusiasts! Each of the group’s singers has a music scholarship, regardless of their major, and because they are a two-year college, many of them hope to join other a cappella groups in the region when they transfer! Butler is grateful for the opportunity to perform at this event.

Count Me In is a treble a cappella group from Iowa State University. Count Me In enjoys performing all styles of music, especially selections from pop, jazz, and folk genres. Since the group's reintroduction in the fall of 2020, Count Me In has enjoyed incredible opportunities performing on campus at Iowa State and beyond, becoming a favorite of university leaders, students, and Ames and Des Moines area community members. This is Count Me In's second year competing in the ICCA and they are elated to return after a successful debut season. Special thanks to their faculty advisor, Dr. Jennifer Rodgers, for her dedication to the group and their biggest fan, Brad Dell, Chair of the Department of Music and Theatre, for his continued support. Count Me In is incredibly excited to perform and hopes you enjoy the show!

The Iowa Hawkapellas is the University of Iowa's only all-female competitive collegiate a cappella group. Founded in 2001, The Hawkapellas is a standout a cappella group in the Iowa community. They perform throughout Iowa City and the greater state of Iowa, singing a wide range of musical styles and genres. They strive to uplift music from minority communities and queer artists. In addition to emphasizing female voices, they share an appreciation for strong female figures throughout the music world and beyond. These lovely ladies feature a range of majors and interests but all share a love of making music together. They are so excited to share their music with you tonight and you can follow them on all platforms @IowaHawkapellas!

Mezzo Forte A Cappella is an auditioned mixed-voice group from Iowa State University. They aim to create beautiful a cappella music and share it throughout their campus and the world. Mezzo Forte includes members of the Iowa State Singers Choir and other musical ensembles at Iowa State. In preparation for their first ICCA season, Mezzo Forte has been hard at work arranging brand-new pieces that they can’t wait to premiere for audiences. The group began in fall 2024 by presidents Sydney Stover and Carter Kephart. Mezzo Forte is beyond excited to begin their first season exploring who they are as a group and small community!

Pitch Please is the premier all-gender a cappella group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Since the group’s founding in 2012, they have grown their presence in the Lincoln community and beyond through performance, which happens to be the thing they love most. Just like the array of musical genres they perform, Pitch Please members come from a variety of different majors, including advertising, engineering, architecture, music education, and more. They’re incredibly grateful for the chance to make music and memories together and they love sharing that passion with others onstage!

The Red Keys is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s newest all-gender, co-ed competitive a cappella group, founded in 2017. They are dedicated to high-level performance and inspiring passion for the arts within the collegiate music community. Comprising members from diverse majors, backgrounds, and experience levels, the group unites through a shared love of music. They perform a wide range of music, spanning from pop, rock, jazz, and R&B. The Red Keys frequently appear at campus events, community gigs, and collaborative shows with other a cappella groups. Group members are also provided opportunities to arrange music and create original compositions, furthering their personal growth and artistic expression. The Red Keys have competed at the ICCA since 2019, notably securing a 3rd-place finish in the 2021 Midwest Quarterfinal and a special award for Outstanding Vocal Percussionist (Joey Carabello). They began professionally recording their music in 2020 and their latest project, eclipse, features their 2024 ICCA set along with a narrative piece. This release joins two previous singles and an EP, all of which showcase The Red Keys’ evolving sound and artistry.

Shockappella is the premier, co-ed, entirely student-led a cappella group of Wichita State University. Currently in their eighth year, this group performs a blend of different musical styles, bringing everything from Kendrick Lamar to Billie Holiday to their performances across the region. Shockappella has taken home the Outstanding Vocal Percussionist award at ICCA Southwest Quarterfinals in both 2019 and 2024. Outside of competing in ICCA, Shockappella performs in concerts and other gigs throughout each school year, including marriage proposals, galas, Christmas caroling, banquets, and more! Shockappella is very proud to represent Wichita State as the lone competitive a cappella group on campus and strives for new accolades in and out of competition each year.

Take Note is a treble a cappella group formed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2018. By creating a bond of trust among its group members, Take Note strives to empower each singer onstage while providing a space for them to be vulnerable offstage. Each member is encouraged to express themselves through their style, choreography, and music. They have been competing in ICCA since 2021 and are proud of their accomplishments over the years, including an Outstanding Arrangement award at their 2023 Southwest Quarterfinal for Chloe Peters's arrangement of their debut single, "Titanium Valley." Take Note recently released their debut EP, The Waves Below, composed songs from their 2024 ICCA set. They are so excited to be returning to ICCA this year for another amazing season of a cappella music!

GUEST PERFORMER

One Note Stands is the University of Nebraska Omaha’s first and only student a cappella group. There are 13 total members, all from a variety of majors on campus. Founded in October 2024, ONS is excited to give their first-ever live performance right here at the ICCA! Keep up with their journey @onenotestandsuno on Instagram and TikTok.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Dr. Matthew Brooks is Associate Professor and Director of Orchestral Activities in Music & Medicine at University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) where he leads the University Orchestra, the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra Youth Symphony, and teaches graduate conducting. As part of a collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Matthew was critical in creating the Nebraska Medical Orchestra in 2018, and remains their founding music director and conductor. Highlights from his academic conducting include leading annual youth concerts as part of Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program and collaborations with Broadway legend Patti Lupone, New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Frank Huang, celebrated opera singer Samuel Ramey, and the late composer Peter Schickele (P.D.Q. Bach). Matthew maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He regularly guest conducts the Omaha Symphony Music Mentors program and high school honor festivals. He frequently presents at national and international conferences and his peer-reviewed research has been published in the American Medical Association (AMA) Journal of Ethics and the Journal of Wellness. He holds a Bachelor of Music in music education, a Master of Music in orchestral conducting, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting, pedagogy, and literature. Matthew is currently completing the requirements for a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling, as he remains interested in pursuing greater intersectionality between music and wellness, as well as encouraging positive mental health within the academic and professional music communities.

Since 2002, J.R. Gould has taught vocal and instrumental music at Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School in Omaha, Neb., where his compulsory middle school choirs and non-auditioned high school choir regularly earn unanimous Superior ratings at festivals. He founded BT's Pirate Radio in 2014, which has been a trailblazing college-style ensemble in Nebraska high school a cappella and regularly earns unanimous Superior ratings at festivals and high rankings at contests. He was honored to be selected as 2022's Nebraska Music Educator of the Year. J.R. has been arranging, singing, and directing choral music and contemporary a cappella music since high school in the mid 1990s. As a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (before the existence of Rocktavo or The Bathtub Dogs), his a cappella arrangements were performed by UNL's vocal jazz ensemble, Lincoln Northeast High School's Voices N Harmony, and at his own senior voice recital. He has sung the national anthem in various a cappella settings for the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials three times and enjoys singing backup and playing keyboards and trumpet in a rock cover band.

Susie Kearney is currently the vocal music director at Omaha North High School. There, she teaches three curricular choir classes, including show choir, and courses in voice and music technology. Originally from South Carolina, Susie grew up in a high school choral tradition that emphasized both traditional and pop a cappella singing. She was a founding member of Cockappella, the mixed a cappella group at the University of South Carolina, where she received her bachelor's degree in music education. Susie has her Master of Music in choral conducting from University of Louisville, has been a member of ACDA for over 10 years, and received the award for Nebraska's Outstanding Young Choral Conductor. Her high school show choir students have been recipients of several Best Soloist awards at contests around the Midwest.

Meesh Zhang is a mezzo-soprano with over a decade of performing experience in a cappella and choral music. Classically trained in piano and music theory, her a cappella journey started with The Aristocats, a renowned Disney a cappella group at Washington University in St. Louis. Post-college, Meesh continued to contribute to the a cappella scene, becoming a valued member of various amateur groups. She lent her vocal talents to Internote and The Love Notes, both based in the Bay Area, showcasing her versatility and passion for harmonizing. Meesh is also a founding member of the A Cappella Collective, a group that primarily focuses on project-based live recording.

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 Southwest 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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