2025 ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal @ Warren Central 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 MIDWEST QUARTERFINAL

Warren Central High School
Friday, February 7th, 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

16th Street Soul is the premier contemporary a cappella group at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. This ensemble of 11 singers will definitely leave you wanting more! In their very first year competing, 16th Street Soul achieved the title of 2023 ICHSA Midwest Champion and one of the top nine high school a cappella groups in the country. Established in 2021, 16th Street Soul has made a lasting impact on their surrounding community. In their short history, they have been able to share the stage with great a cappella groups including TAKE6, Six Appeal, and RADIUS. The group is directed by Brian Long and Kelsey Coram.

Last year, Hamilton High School expanded their vocal music program with a brand-new a cappella group called Enharmonix. In their first year competing, they earned the title of 2024 ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal Champion and then went on to place 3rd at ICHSA Midwest Semifinals. Joining the a cappella scene has been very exciting for them and they’re excited to be back performing alongside the nation’s best a cappella groups. Enharmonix is directed by Austin Teegarden, assisted by Christina Fox and choreographed by Natalie DiPietro.

Maximum Forte is the premier choral outreach group from Charleston High School in Charleston, Ill. This auditioned co-curricular ensemble is devoted to performing an eclectic repertory of vocal and choral literature, ranging in genre from madrigals, to musical theatre, to contemporary pop/jazz arrangements. Under the direction of Juliane Sharp, the group has been invited to sing at the Kettering National A Cappella Festival in Ohio, the East Central Illinois Youth in Harmony Festival, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn., and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Maximum Forte was also invited to perform as the opening act for m-pact in fall 2019 and for Radius at the East Central Illinois A Cappella Festival at Eastern Illinois University in fall 2024.

The CHS Power Chords is the newest addition to the Charleston High School a cappella program. Ranging from freshmen to seniors, this group of singers aims to entertain their audiences with a style that can only be described as "bowling alley chic." This is The Power Chords’ first ICHSA season, but they plan to make a strong impression and make their hometown proud!

From Brookville High School in Brookville, Ohio, Shades is back and ready to take on ICHSA! Shades is a co-ed a cappella group consisting of 15 new members all competing in ICHSA for the very first time. Last school year, Shades was featured in the academic showcase at the National A Cappella Festival (NACC) in Orlando, Fla. Shades has also enjoyed performing at the Kettering National A Cappella Festival, the Nordonia A Cappella Festival, and many local performance opportunities. Members of Shades are very involved in their school community and participate in sports, drama, school clubs, and more.

Symphonix is the brand-new top a cappella group from Harrison High School! This is their first year competing as one group, but many of them are a cappella veterans from their previous groups, Dynamix and Take Note. Symphonix rehearses at 7 a.m. every day, preparing pieces from contemporary a cappella to vocal jazz and more! Under the direction of Anna Adams, Symphonix is very excited to compete together after nine years of having separate groups! They hope that you enjoy their performance just as much as they have enjoyed working on this special set. Follow them for more news on Instagram @symphonixacappella.

VCR is a diverse group of students from Urbana High School. They love to sing, argue about how to Aca Jam, and dance to “California Gurls” on Just Dance. VCR meets before school as an extracurricular group and performs around town, delighting audiences all over central Illinois. They wish the best of luck to everyone performing and hope you enjoy their performance!

Vega is one of Chaminade Julienne's pop a cappella groups. Established in 2010, Vega has become a nationally recognized and award-winning group, competing in ICHSA since 2013. In 2013 and 2014, they won their regional Semifinals and were able to compete at Finals in New York, ultimately winning 2nd in 2014. Over the years, they have earned various top placements and special awards, including Outstanding Soloist, Vocal Percussion, and Choreography. They have also been honored to open for professional groups such as Take 6 and Dehlilah. Vega has released many EPs over the years, including last year's combined EP with fellow CJ group, Phoenix. The group is currently directed by Vega alumni, Adelyn Helms, Caitlin Pearn, and Sean Stewart. Vega is inspired by and proud of their sparkling legacy, but their greatest strength lies in their connections with one another. Like Lyra, their namesake and brightest star in the constellation, they shine together through their passion, drive, and teamwork.

Lawrence North Voices is an extracurricular group that meets after school and is composed of Lawrence North’s most elite-level musicians. Voices performs at many events and concerts in their school and throughout the Indianapolis community. Last year, Voices competed for their very first ICHSA, placing 3rd at Quarterfiinals and winning Outstanding Choreography. Voices is thrilled to be back for another amazing year of a cappella!

GUEST PERFORMER

Unexpected Resolution, or UNR, is a tenor-bass a cappella group from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.! Commonly known as the “Guys In Green Ties,” they sing a variety of genres, ranging from pop, rock, funk, and more! UNR is in its 11th year as an organization and is so excited to be performing at the ICHSA Quarterfinals! They were 2021 ICCA Finalists, and frequently record their own music! They are currently working on their second studio album, to be released in fall 2026! In the meantime, you can listen to UNR's most recent project, An Unexpected EP Vol. 2, which you can find on all streaming platforms, along with their music video of "Levels" by Nick Jonas.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Christopher Andres attended The Ohio State University and studied music education and music performance. He also was a member of The Ohio State University Men's Glee Club and University Chorus. Chris has been singing and playing the piano since he was 5 years old and also plays flute, tenor saxophone, baritone, and trombone. Chris has performed on numerous stages around the world as both an instrumentalist and vocalist. He currently serves as the music coordinator and music director at Oakland Church of the Brethren where he directs the bell choir, adult choir, women's choir, and the contemporary praise band. He is currently in his sixth year at Greenville Senior High School in Greenville, Ohio as the assistant vocal music director and accompanist.

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.

Edric Mitchell has both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University, where he studied musical theatre and executive development for public services. During his time at Ball State, he got his start in a cappella with the all-male group, Charlie's Angels. He quickly became a founding member of the all-male a cappella group, Note to Self, with whom he spent four years as a member, coordinator, and music director. In addition, Edric was a founding member and music director of Sedoctave, and founder of the Association of Collegiate A Cappella (ACA) at Ball State. ACA is an umbrella organization that unites all collegiate a cappella groups on the BSU Campus. When Edric was a competitor in the ICCA, he received two Outstanding Arrangement awards and an Outstanding Soloist award. Since 2017, Edric has been a founding member of Impromptu, an Indianapolis-based professional a cappella group that competed in The Open, placing 2nd in the Midwest Semifinal, 2nd in the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes, and won the title of VoiceJam Champions in 2018. Impromptu has traveled around the world performing at a cappella festivals in Taiwan, Russia, Boston, Memphis, and of course the Midwest! As a member of impromptu, Edric has received awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement. He is currently the theatre director at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Ind., where he directs the a cappella group Titan Harmony.

Peter Sepulveda currently teaches choir at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Ind. Before moving to Indiana, he taught at McKay High School in Salem, Ore. for nine years. During his time at McKay, he directed vocal ensembles that placed at State Festivals and Varsity Vocals Finals. As a high school director, Peter has enjoyed collaborating with collegiate groups, arrangers, clinicians, and producers throughout the country on projects and festivals. He loves seeing music provide new opportunities for his students and the power it has to bring people together. When he's not working, Peter enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Nanuk.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Brian Long, the staff at Warren Central High School, and all the volunteers tonight; 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 Midwest 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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