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

Liberty High School
Friday, February 14th, 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 Cat's Meow is a mixed a cappella group from Licking, Mo., home of the Wildcats. Currently in their eighth year at Licking High School, this clowder of cats was drawn together by a shared love of music. They represent a wide range of students, everything from smart cats, sporty cats, and cheer cats to, of course, jazzy cats. Growing up in a small, rural community with a funny name, these tom cats and kittens prove every day that they aren't your average alley cats. They are the Cat's Meow! 

Founded in 2019, Flockappella has brought and spread a love of a cappella music to SWMO. Composed of singers from all grades and musical backgrounds, they strive to connect with their school and the entire Springfield community. Their annual concert, Flockafest, brings various high school and collegiate groups together to showcase a cappella music. Their annual Singing Candygrams fundraiser is one of the school year’s most anticipated events and their largest source of income. This year, they did Spookygrams on Halloween instead of Valentine's Day so that they could be here! Flockappella made their competition debut in 2023 and alternate years, so this will be their second time taking the ICHSA stage. Their set was entirely arranged by one of Flockappella’s own members and they hope you enjoy it! 

JayBlues is a mixed-voice a cappella group at Liberty High School in Liberty, Mo. The founding members of this ensemble began singing together before and after school and soon realized they wanted to take their music to the next level. Together, they collaborate on the group’s programming and technical aspects, all contributing to their inspired performances. JayBlues is composed of talented, dedicated students, all of whom share a deep love of making music. 

Formed in 2021, Nixapella is a dynamic pop contemporary a cappella group that has rapidly carved out a niche in the music community. Hailing from Missouri, they captivate audiences with vibrant harmonies and energetic performances that push the boundaries of traditional a cappella. In the past year, Nixapella achieved a significant milestone when they were selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Festival, making history as the first pop contemporary a cappella group to grace the event. Nixapella also advanced to the 2024 ICHSA Midwest Semifinals, demonstrating their exceptional talent on a national stage. Nixapella continues to inspire others with their passion for music and dedication to their craft. Pioneers as well as performers, Nixapella seeks to share their love for vocal music with everyone in their community. 

SoundProof comes from KC A Cappella, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a unique educational and musical experience for high school students around the Kansas City Metropolitan area. SoundProof has been competing in ICHSA since 2017 and earned the international title of 2022 ICHSA Champions. They are so excited to return this year and can't wait to share their set with you! 

Tri-Tonal A Cappella is Tri-Valley High School's premier a cappella group hailing from Downs, Ill. This group of 12 members ranges from freshmen to seniors, though the majority are  underclassmen. Tri-Tonal began in 2024 as a middle school a cappella group that eventually aged up once its members graduated from middle school into high school. Outside of a cappella, Tri-Tonal members are also involved in cross country, track, cheer, basketball, e-sports, band, theatre, and choir. This ICHSA season marks Tri-Tonal's competitive debut and they are super excited for the opportunity! 

Contemporary a cappella music has been a staple in the music program at Parkway North since the early 2000s. What began as Men’s Room and Powder Room eventually evolved into the current group, Valholla. Throughout these iterations, hundreds of students have had the opportunity to experience this amazing musical genre and compete at ICHSA. Valholla is a unique group of students, ranging from freshman to seniors, who work together to bring their music to life onstage. After many hours of hard work, they are excited to share their set and hope you enjoy the energy of Valholla. 

Viva Voce is an all-treble a cappella group at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Mo. Founded in 2016, Viva Voce is currently a group of 19 students with a variety of different interests, united through their love of a cappella and vocal music. Outside of rehearsals, you can find Viva Voce sharing their music at community events and concerts. Follow them @VivavoceLHS! 

VocaBellas is a group composed of talented female singers from all across the Kansas City metro area. All group members are enrolled in classes at Stage Right Performing Arts, including the show choir and Young Professionals Acting Program. With members ranging from ninth to 11th grade, this is VocaBellas’ second year singing together.

GUEST PERFORMER

The Hibernotes of Missouri State University is an all-inclusive a cappella group that strives for musical excellence and self-expression. Their mission is to create a unique community that celebrates individuality, authenticity, and vulnerability. 

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Tim Arnold is the choral director at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Mo. Prior to moving to Hillsboro, he taught in the Hazelwood School District for 15 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Baptist University and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis. He is a frequent clinician and adjudicator for ensembles around the Midwest, including traditional choirs and contemporary ensembles. Tim’s contemporary a cappella journey started in Flawless Intuition at Washington High School in 1993. He traveled with the gospel quartet, Closer, for several years at Missouri Baptist University before beginning his teaching career. He has directed numerous groups, including Voices of Harmony, Wild Scats, and For Ladies Only in the Hazelwood School District and Hawkapella, Hawkabellas, and Hawkafellas at Hillsboro High School. Tim has served on the Executive Boards for both the Missouri Choral Directors Association and the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association. Most recently, he was awarded Teacher of the Year Honors for the Hillsboro School District, as well as the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. He is an active member of the worship team at Gracelife Chapel and wants to thank his wife Jessica and his two children, Cadence and Caleb, for all their support.

After singing in choirs since elementary school, Alli Baranski entered the world of a cappella in her freshman year at the University of Mary Washington. She joined the co-ed a cappella group, The One Note Stand, in which she sang alto and was a frequent soloist for her four years there. When Alli began with the group, they had never performed at the ICCA, and she led the group’s effort to compete in 2017 and 2018, helping them reach 3rd place at their Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Alli became affiliated with Cut Off Studios, where she coordinates and teaches at educational events. She has worked as a clinician for two years and specializes in helping groups find their identity, both musically and literally. 

Lindsay Ryan has been an accomplished performer, director, arranger, choreographer, and vocal percussionist for most of her life. Born in St. Louis, she began her career performing in musical theatre productions at the St. Louis MUNY Opera. From there, her talents took her across the country with credits including the 30th anniversary national tour of “Annie,” performing for the NBA L.A. Lakers, NBA L.A. Clippers, and the WNBA L.A. Sparks, and appearing on shows like “X-Factor” and “Oprah.” Eventually, she found her way to a cappella music, beginning with arranging and beatboxing at age 13 and going on to win multiple awards for arranging and performance at vocal and choral competitions all over the U.S. At the age of 16, she graduated high school and began her own childrens’ music education program/performance group called RockNacappella. Soon after the group was formed, they went on to perform at venues like the STAPLES Center, GRAMMY Museum, Pantages Theatre, and the L.A. Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival (winning Best Arrangement and 1st Runner Up in 2015), and released music on platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Since then, Lindsay has returned to St. Louis and continues to arrange, choreograph, and consult for various a cappella and vocal groups across the country. 

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Danaya Roller, Liberty High School, Ellie Alrutz, Bronson, Chance Roller, and all of the parent 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 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!

#ICHSA