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
ICHSA GREAT LAKES QUARTERFINAL
Buffalo Grove High School
Saturday, March 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 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.
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.
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
Business Casual is Amos Alonzo Stagg High School's premier a cappella group, hailing from Palos Hills, Ill. This year marks their fourth time competing at ICHSA and they couldn't be more thrilled! With 16 talented and passionate members, Business Casual is constantly growing, learning, and pushing the boundaries of what they can do as a team. They thank all of the amazing groups here today for making this journey unforgettable and sharing their incredible talents. Business Casual is beyond grateful to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community.
Enharmonic Fusion is a mixed a cappella ensemble from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Ill. Established in 2010, they advanced to the ICHSA Finals that first year and did so again in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2017, they ultimately placed 2nd overall at ICHSA Finals. When not rehearsing or performing, they enjoy spending free time getting ice-cream and listening to a cappella jams. They also enjoy hearing Mr. Erikson gently remind them to clean up their water bottles and music binders. They would like to send a huge thanks to everyone who helped them prepare for this event and to their friends and family for support. They would also like to thank Varsity Vocals for the opportunity to participate and wish the best to all of the other contestants!
Gold Nation is the premier a cappella ensemble at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Ill. Founded in 2019, this group of "aca nerds" is made of 18 students from the ninth through 12th grades, representing diverse musical backgrounds and experience levels. Many of the group members also participate in sports, theatre, speech, and other extracurricular activities. Gold Nation hopes that their collective passion for a cappella music shines through every note they sing. The group is very excited to perform today and wants to wish everyone competing the best of luck. They hope you enjoy their set!
Hawkappella is the only mixed a cappella group at Bartlett High School. They love making music together and mixing up the genres they perform. They are a close-knit, friendly group and love performing at ICHSA each year!
Minor Renovation is in its eighth year at Buffalo Grove High School, founded in fall 2017. Minor Renovation has 16 members, ranging from freshmen through seniors. The Minor Renovation singers are very active in their school, participating in athletics, theatre, and many of the 11 vocal ensembles at Buffalo Grove High School. Minor Renovation is very excited to compete in another ICHSA season.
The Hinsdale South Noteworthy Hornets is a mixed a cappella ensemble from Darien, Ill. Founded in 2020 by directors Chris Gumban, Collin Page, and Sean Lohmeyer, this group is made up of Hinsdale South’s talented freshman through senior singers. Noteworthy got their name from being Hinsdale South’s first competitive a cappella ensemble, starting a “Noteworthy” legacy for the Hornets
Off The Record is a passionate group of student musicians who strive to entertain audiences with technically sound and emotionally compelling performances. In its seven years of existence, OTR has been fortunate to qualify for five ICHSA Semifinal rounds, place as Runner-Up in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and appear on the 2024 BOHSA album. OTR performs throughout the Midwest, notably at the Illinois Music Educators Conference and as the opening act for Foreigner’s farewell tour. They would like to thank their friends and family for all of their support.
The Barrington High School Overtones is in its fourth year of performing and competing. These are the top 18 voices from Barrington High School and they enjoy performing for audiences throughout the community. They look forward to participating in Total Vocal with Deke Sharon at the Lincoln Center later this spring.
Founded in 2023, Resolve is the premier contemporary a cappella ensemble at Niles West High School in Skokie, Ill. This mixed ensemble of 18 voices performs a diverse repertoire, spanning multiple musical genres, and enjoys performing at school concerts, events, and within their community. In 2024, they placed 1st in the ICHSA Great Lakes Semifinals, earning a spot in the ICHSA Finals in New York City. They are excited to return to ICHSA and look forward to sharing their music!
Treble Threat is in its sixth year at Buffalo Grove High School, founded in fall 2019. Treble Threat has 13 members, sophomores through seniors, and rehearses two hours each week. The Treble Threat singers are very active in their school, participating in athletics, theatre, and many of the 11 vocal ensembles at Buffalo Grove High School. Treble Threat is very excited to compete in another ICHSA season.
TONIGHT'S JUDGES
Lena Burke is an elementary general music teacher at Husmann Elementary School in Crystal Lake, Ill. Lena has a bachelor’s degree in vocal music with an emphasis in music education from Northern Illinois University and recently earned a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in trauma and resilience through Concordia University Chicago. In addition to working with youth choirs and teaching elementary general music, Lena sings with the professional choir, Cor Cantiamo, and loves to improve her practice by pursuing additional training in Orff Schulwerk, comprehensive musicianship through performance, and conversational solfege. During her time at NIU, Lena served as music director for The Harmelodics, earning an Outstanding Arrangement award and the opportunity to compete in the 2017 ICCA Great Lakes Semifinals. She is so excited to be back with Varsity Vocals this evening!
Danny Cavero has been performing a cappella music for over 10 years. His passion for a cappella music started in college at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he joined Acquire A Cappella. He competed during and post-college and won multiple awards, including Outstanding Vocal Percussion at ICCA and Harmony Sweepstakes. In 2014, Danny joined a group called SanFran6 that was featured on NBC’s "The Sing-Off." The group continued professionally performing at Bay Area athletic events for The San Francisco 49ers, Giants, and Golden State Warriors. Danny is still heavily involved in the Bay Area a cappella scene.
Cory Ellis got his a cappella start at Northern Illinois University, where he was a founding member of the all-tenor/bass a cappella group, The NIU Huskie Hunks. Cory received his bachelor's degrees in music from Northern Illinois University and Western Illinois University, where he studied instrumental music education. Cory currently serves as the director of choral music at Rochelle Township High School, where he leads two curricular choirs and Midnight Voices, the school's vocal jazz ensemble. He is also a member of the Kishwaukee Concert Band. Cory has been judging with Varsity Vocals for eight years.
Charlotte Graham has been a part of the a cappella community as a performer, arranger, and educator. She studied music education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she directed the collegiate a cappella group Girls Next Door and served as assistant director of the University Chorus. Post-school, she taught music and choir at Walden Elementary School. Charlotte continues to specialize in arranging music of all genres for a cappella performance. She looks forward to tonight’s performances!
Samantha Rich began her a cappella journey in a mixed ensemble from Georgia Institute of Technology and never looked back. Since her days arranging, competing (yes, in the ICCA!), and serenading Atlanta audiences with her smoky voice, she spent the last decade performing and recording with various semi-professional groups. After moving from the sunny South to the Midwest, Sam is super excited to judge in the Chicago area and can't wait to hear this season's competitors!
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 ICHSA Great Lakes 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!
#ICHSA