2025 ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal @ Bayonne 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

ICHSA MID-ATLANTIC QUARTERFINAL

Bayonne High School
Saturday, February 22nd, 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

The Ridgewood High School Acabellas is an all-female a cappella group made up of passionate and independent musicians from the school’s choir, band, and orchestra programs. They were founded in 2011 and annually compete in the ICHSA. They perform at school functions, including sporting events, assemblies, and notably Valentine's Day when they serenade students with singing grams. They enjoy performing songs by women from all eras. You can support them at their school a cappella concerts and check out their live performances on Spotify.

The Bee's Knees, from Bayonne High School, was founded in 2018 under the direction of Samantha Herskowitz. The group is composed of current Bayonne High School students from all grades, many of whom are involved in multiple music programs at the school, including the award-winning Bayonne High School Marching Band and Drama Society. Last year, The Bee’s Knees competed for the third time in the ICHSA. They placed 1st at the Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year and advanced to Semifinals. The Bee's Knees perform at community events, clinics, and concerts and are so excited to be competing for their fourth ICHSA season.

GLissando is Governor Livingston High School’s premier vocal a cappella group. GLissando was formed at the beginning of the 2022 school year and they’re excited to be back at their third ICHSA! GLissando is made up of students from all grades with various interests. Together, they create a positive and special music-making experience. Along with their yearly concerts, GLissando performs throughout the community and for other school events. They wish luck to all of the other competitors and hope that you enjoy their set!

JPS Harmonics is the premier pop a cappella group at John P. Stevens High School in Edison, N.J. After competing and showcasing within the choir-sphere, the J.P. Stevens Choir wanted to try something a little different. Composed of 16 singers, Harmonics is excited to make their a cappella debut this year after months of hard work and practice. Their mission is to spread their love for music and to continue to grow and learn from the groups and people they admire.

The Maroon Men is a competitive all-male a cappella group from Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, N.J. This group was established in fall 2010 mainly to get more guys interested in joining the choir program and has since become an RHS staple. They are proud to compete in the ICHSA every year alongside their sister groups, The AcaBellas and The Rhapsodies. All members, past and present, have always proudly carried their tradition of singing that good ole harmony, soul to soul and brother to brother. Catch them singing at various events and concerts, and, as always, "that a cappella sounds good to me!"

The Skyline Voices is a new vocal ensemble created this year by two seniors, Braylin Abreu and Georgia Williams. This ensemble specializes in singing R&B, jazz, and pop standards, and showcasing their many talented soloists. Skyline Voices’ mission is to bring more beautiful a cappella music to New York City through their music.

Millburn High School’s very own award-winning a cappella group, Soulfege, has appeared on Lifetime's national television series, “Pitch Slapped,” performed for the N.J. Delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and participated in various competitions since 2008. Check out their album, blue, on all streaming platforms! Soulfege loves every opportunity to perform for the community and share their passion for music with others!

Treble Makers is a mixed a cappella group from West Morris Mendham High School. The singers in this group perform classical, musical theatre, jazz, and pop music for their greater music department activities, but focus mainly on contemporary music as a collaborative ensemble. The group is excited to be back for their fourth year competing in the ICHSA and looks forward to seeing all the amazing talent onstage tonight!

Vox Blue, Delaware Valley Regional High School's elite a cappella group, is known for its vocal excellence and dynamic performances. Under the direction of Mr. Adrian Camano, the group has become a standout in the choral program since its founding in 2018. Vox Blue is composed of students selected through a competitive audition process and has earned recognition at various levels, including an Outstanding Choreography award at their 2022 ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal. This year, Vox Blue is primarily an all-female ensemble, with the exception of its talented male beatboxer. Singing contemporary a cappella music from various musical genres, the group delivers intricate harmonies, innovative arrangements, and captivating performances. Vox Blue regularly performs at school and community events and competes in local, state, and national a cappella competitions. The ensemble continues to push the boundaries of vocal performance and set a high standard for a cappella artistry.

GUEST PERFORMER

The Trentones is The College of New Jersey's premier competitive a cappella group. They are one big family with a passion for music. The Trentones also compete in the ICCA and they've advanced to Semifinals for the past two years. They are so excited to perform for you and hope you enjoy their performance!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Yang Chen is a passionate music and theatre creative based in New York City, originally from Toronto. He studied both systems design engineering and music at the University of Waterloo, where he served as a music director, arranger, and choreographer for several a cappella groups, including The Water Boys (2017 ICCA Finalists), ACE, and two groups he founded, The Committee, and In Full Colour (BOSS 2021 Champions). Under Yang's leadership, The Committee became an ICCA Quarterfinal Runner-Up and Semifinalist in two years. In his senior year, Yang led In Full Colour to 1st place at ICCA Quarterfinals and 2nd place at Semifinals, also earning awards for arrangements and choreography. Yang also co-founded the annual Canadian A Cappella Conference (CanACC) and hosted the first all-Canadian ICCA Quarterfinal during his three-year tenure as president of the UW A Cappella Club. As a performer, Yang played Princeton in “Avenue Q,” Peter in “Bare: A Pop Opera,” and sang in “The Comeback Cabaret” at Don't Tell Mama NYC. In New York, he produced, directed, and music directed the sold-out musical theatre concert series, "In Harmony." Yang is also co-writing his first musical, “In a Year,” and can be found singing with Gaia Music Collective. Yang is dedicated to helping others achieve their full creative potential and is available as a clinician, coach, and arranger, reachable at yang.chen.3355@gmail.com.

Sydney Levine is a music education professional based in northern New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Delaware. During her time at UD, she was the president of MelUDees A Cappella, an all-gender ensemble. They placed in the ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals in both 2020 and 2023 and Sydney earned the Outstanding Soloist award in the latter year. She also spent her college career performing in and conducting theatrical productions and traveling with various choral ensembles. She holds a Level I Elementary General Music Certificate from the Gordon Institute of Music Learning and spent several years teaching early childhood music classes. Currently, Sydney teaches private voice lessons and K-5 elementary general music and chorus in Morris County, N.J.

Alyssa Sposato, a native of Long Island, N.Y., earned her B.M. in music education with a minor in music business from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. With a diverse background in a cappella, Alyssa served as president and music director of her collegiate group, The Potsdam Pitches, leading them to numerous ICCA Central Semifinal placements. Additionally, she spent three years as a member of the professional treble a cappella group, Cape Harmony. Alyssa currently works as a music educator for the Middle Country Central School District, specializing in elementary general music. She extends her passion for performing through music directing at Theatrics Performing Arts, guiding students of all ages to realize their potential onstage. Alyssa extends her best wishes to all competing groups this season.

Benjamin Thornton graduated from Brown University, spending four years as the president, music director, and assistant music director of The Jabberwocks, Brown's oldest a cappella group. During his time in The Jabberwocks, Ben traveled with the group to lead a cappella workshops in South Korea, San Fransisco, and Los Angeles. Classically trained, Ben graduated from the Boston University Tanglewood Institute's Young Artist Vocal Program, where he studied opera, choral singing, and music theory. Ben has given private vocal lessons for all ages and has studied for 12 years.

Jake Wild graduated from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami with a degree in modern artistry development and entrepreneurship. Jake was a member of BisCaydence, the oldest a cappella group at the University of Miami, for all four years of his college experience. In Jake's senior year, he served as co-music director and helped lead BisCaydence to the ICCA Finals. He also served as music director of his high school a cappella group, Byram Beat. Jake currently lives in New York City and is pursuing a career as a singer-songwriter.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank John Niesz, Superintendent of Schools; Tim Craig, Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts and Business; Central Office, The Bayonne Board of Education, and The Bee's Knees Parent and Alumni Volunteers; 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 Mid-Atlantic 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

#ICHSA