2025 ICCA Southwest Quarterfinal @ MacArthur 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 SOUTHWEST QUARTERFINAL

MacArthur High School
Saturday, February 1st, 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

Beauties and the Beat is the premier gender-inclusive treble a cappella group at the University of Texas at Austin. They have been singing (and having a great time doing it) since the group’s founding in 2013. They have grown drastically ever since, performing on the UT campus, in the Austin area, and in competitions around the country, such as ICCA, Sing!, and Voicejam. Beauties and the Beat strives to support women’s and LGBTQIA+ empowerment at UT and in the a cappella community through their music and performance. While they primarily sing contemporary pop, they're growing to include other genres like R&B and folk music. Beauties and the Beat is a tight-knit group that values mental health and self-care, which helps build their musical cohesion. Beauties sees their music as an important form of expression and creativity and they value the emotional connection that a cappella brings to performers and audience alike.

Empire A Cappella is an all-inclusive, mixed pop a cappella ensemble based out of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The group was founded in fall 2019 by Charlie Correa, Brittney Stainbrook, and Komal Karumuru and has been incredibly active in the pop a cappella scene ever since. Empire competed in ICCA in their inaugural year, earning the Runner-Up spot at the 2020 ICCA Southwest Quarterfinals and qualifying for Semifinals in Phoenix, Ariz. Empire A Cappella also received the Outstanding Arrangement award for their entire set at the 2022 Southwest ICCA Quarterfinals. They also released their debut EP, Impulse, in spring 2022 and plan to release more recorded tracks. Empire performs live around Lubbock at community events, holiday events, and outreach performances. They even had the opportunity to open for world-famous rock group, Foreigner, in August 2021. Empire A Cappella is a diverse group of musicians dedicated to creating a full, dynamic sound while building a close-knit family that supports its members in all aspects of student life.

Final Measure is a rising all-gender a cappella group from the University of Houston. Founded in 2021, they compete around the country and collaborate with other college groups. Their goal is to continue improving and showcase their incredible talent with the a cappella community. Final Measure is the only group at the University of Houston that was student-created and remains entirely student-led! They were proud to win Outstanding Vocal Percussion as a virtual Semifinalist in their debut ICCA season.

Hardchord Dynamix is a dynamic and passionate a cappella group known for its electrifying performances and close-knit community. As the 2024 ICCA Southwest Quarterfinal Champions, 2023 Semifinalists, and 2019 Finalists, they have consistently demonstrated musical excellence and dedication to the craft of a cappella. Beyond competitions, they are deeply committed to engaging with their local community, bringing harmony and joy through their performances at events and gatherings. More than just a group, Hardchord Dynamix is a family built on friendship, camaraderie, and a shared love for music.

License to Trill is TCU's gender-inclusive a cappella group, founded in 2015. The group is composed of various majors across TCU's departments and won a special ICCA award for Outstanding Vocal Percussionist in 2023! They are in the process of releasing new music this year and look forward to sharing once it’s out. All of their arrangements are created by music director, Carlos Gutierrez. License to Trill is thrilled to be competing once again!

Noteworthy A Cappella is a co-ed a cappella group at The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 2014. A competitive group, Noteworthy was a 2023 ICCA Southwest Semifinalist, placed 3rd at their 2024 Quarterfinal, and won a special award for Outstanding Arrangement. Noteworthy competed in the SingStrong A Cappella Competition in 2023, where they won Audience Choice and Best Soloist. Apart from ICCA, they placed 3rd at the 2022 Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes Festival. Noteworthy loves to perform for the community and at campus-affiliated events, presenting an eclectic sound and bridging genres with their original arrangements.

Overly Chromatic is the first and only a cappella group at the University of Texas at San Antonio. They have been active since 2017 and have participated in ICCA, as well as other a cappella competitions and conventions. They specialize in pop music but enjoy performing all genres, with a soft spot for jazz. Overly Chromatic strives for excellence in their music and wants to make a cappella fun and accesible for everyone.

Up until 1994, the a cappella scene at Rice was sparse. Groups like the Night Owls, Brown Quartet, and All-Lovett Accord were formed, but none managed to last. Laura Huff and Emily Jiang decided to change this, creating the group that would eventually be known as The Rice Philharmonics. Since their humble beginnings, The Philharmonics have expanded their influence across campus, the Houston community, and throughout the nation. The Phils have recorded and released multiple studio albums, have gone on tour to New Orleans in 2024, and were even 2022 ICCA Semifinalists. The Phils have performed all around Rice University and beyond, including venues like POST Houston. Their repertoire is fully arranged by members of the group, none of whom are music majors! Previous arrangements include contemporary hits like “Slow Dancing in the Dark” by Joji, “Too Sweet” by Hozier, and “Erase Me” by Lizzy McAlpine, along with time-tested classics like “Africa” by Toto. The Phils are “phamily phirst” and musicians second. They cannot wait to bring their talent and camaraderie to the next level this year!

RISE is The University of Texas at Arlington's only a cappella group on campus! They have been lucky enough to perform at ICCA for the past two years and have grown immensely from this process, as singers, individuals, and together as a supportive community. They are proud to exclusively perform in-house arrangements, which connects each of them even more to the pieces in their repertoire. This year, RISE features a diverse group of majors, from music education to civil engineering. Despite their differences, they are brought together by a shared passion for making music, which has helped them create a thriving environment of wonderful musicians.

Trillium is a mixed vocal group based in the DFW, Texas area. Established in 2022, Trillium is a group of college singers who come from various high school a cappella backgrounds. Trillium has competed in the 2023 and 2024 VoiceJam competitions, placing 2nd and winning Best Choreography both years. Trillium released their first single and music video in December 2023 and plan to release more music in the near future.

GUEST PERFORMERS

Aperture is the JV contemporary a cappella ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas, currently under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez. Aperture is the oldest JV a cappella group in Texas. Aperture was founded in 2013 as a way to bring more people in the MacArthur community into the world of a cappella. On April 14, 2022, they debuted their first single (and music video!) on all music platforms, “Secret for the Mad,” originally performed by Dodie. In 2022, Aperture performed at the OneVoice A Cappella Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. In 2023, they competed for the very first time, and reached the ICHSA Quarterfinals.

The Iris Bulbs is the varsity contemporary a cappella treble ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas. Making their debut in 2023, they are under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez. The Iris Bulbs takes pride in spotlighting San Antonio music and culture. They were selected to perform in the 2024 Acatex Prelims, marking their first time competing. In 2024, The Iris Bulbs were also invited to Shellshock Records Studio, the studio of award-winning Tejano singer-songwriter and UTSA Artist-in-Residence, Shelly Lares. On November 1st, 2024, they debuted their first single on all music platforms, “Ocean Eyes,” originally performed by Billie Eilish.

PFC is the varsity contemporary a cappella mixed ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas. Under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez (formerly Matt Woodward and Anna Gann), they were 2011 ICHSA National Champions and 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2020 ICHSA Finalists. In 2019, they professionally recorded a song and music video, "High Hopes," that was retweeted and shared by the original artist, Panic! at the Disco. Currently, "High Hopes" has over 250,000 views on YouTube and Facebook, and won Best High School Video from the A cappella Video Awards (AVAs) in 2020. In 2024, PFC was chosen as a Top 8 International Finalist Competitor at VoiceJam in Fayetteville, Ark. They were the only high school group invited to compete against a cappella ensembles from colleges all across the nation. At VoiceJam, PFC received the opportunity to network and masterclass with professional music industry personnel such as Deke Sharon (music producer of the "Pitch Perfect" films and NBC’s "The Sing-Off"), and Grammy and Dove-winning artists, Take 6. In 2024, they were also selected to perform in the 2024 Acatex Prelims.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Anna Gann has been a Texas choral director for over 21 years and now is a voice teacher in the San Antonio area. She has a degree in vocal performance from Lubbock Christian University and an M.S. in music/choral conducting from UTSA. She was involved in a cappella groups during college, including Sweet Adelines. Anna also was the co-director for Mac Arthur's a cappella group, PFC, for the last six years, leading the group to ICHSA Southwest Semifinals twice and to Finals in New York. Anna has been judging for ICHSA and ICCA and been a clinician for a cappella groups for over 10 years, and is excited to continue being part of this community. The joy of her life are her two kids, Chandler (12) and Ella (10).

Gregory Hilliard Jr. serves as the artistic director of Austin Harmony Chorus, a barbershop chorus based in the Live Music Capital of the World and affiliated with Sweet Adelines International. A recent transplant to the Lone Star State, he previously served as the frontline music director of The Capital Chordsmen, the chorus of the Tallahassee, Fla. chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Under his leadership, The Chordsmen achieved the highest scores in the ensemble's 60+ year history at district competition, including a 2nd place finish. He served on the music team with The Marcsmen, six-time BHS International Chorus Finalists based in San Antonio, and has won awards singing with men's and mixed barbershop quartets, notably Headline (Sunshine District 2nd Place Quartet) and Capital Edition (inaugural Florida Mixed Barbershop Quartet Champions). Gregory is a certified music educator and currently teaches choir at a middle school in the Austin area. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from The Florida State University, where he served as the co-creator/co-music director for The FSU Acafellas, the university's first registered all-male a cappella group (the pre-cursor to the pre-cursor to Reverb, 2013 ICCA Finalists), and his Master of Music in choral conducting from Texas State University. He maintains an active schedule as a baritone solo/choral vocalist, guest conductor/clinician, and adjudicator.

Tyler Knowles began playing instruments at an early age, but didn't discover his voice as an instrument until he fell in love with a performance featuring UW-Madison's premier men's a cappella group, The MadHatters. He auditioned for the group, and learned he had a knack for singing really, really low. Tyler sang with The MadHatters from 2002-2005, competing in and hosting ICCA during that time. After college, he sang professionally in the a cappella quartet, The Traveling Sailsmen, on the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship, cruising from Alaska down to the Horn of South America and numerous ports in between.

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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