2025 ICHSA South Quarterfinal @ Pearl River Community College

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 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL

Pearl River Community College
Friday, February 7th, 2025

WE'RE SOCIAL

We're talking about this event, and all of our events around the world!

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@varsityvocals

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

Relatively new to the a cappella scene, B1nine has been full speed ahead since its inception in 2019. B1nine comes from a large and successful choral program at Brandon High School in Brandon, Miss. The group is composed of 19 of the most passionate and musically inclined students Brandon has to offer, and most of the group also participates in Brandon's elite show choirs, concert choirs, and band. Like its fellow school ensembles, B1nine has had many successes through the past few years, with five 1st place wins and two 2nd place titles. With arrangements by Wilson Smith, visuals by Kameren Batty, and direction by Kathlyn Arcemont, B1nine is ecstatic to participate in its first ICHSA tournament!

Brilliance is an all-treble a cappella group from Brandon High School in Brandon, Miss. The group is composed of 18 of Brandon’s most passionate and hard-working voices. Like its fellow Brandon a cappella group, B1nine, Brilliance has been full speed ahead since its inception in 2019 with two 2nd place titles and two 3rd place titles. Brilliance looks forward to competing in their first ICHSA tournament. The group’s arrangements are by Wilson Smith, visuals are by Taryn Monroe and Belle Moehler, and direction is by Kathlyn Arcemont.

Reverb is the new pop a cappella ensemble at Petal High School and is made up of 12 members. In their debut year, they will be competing at the Mississippi Show Choir Contest, the Magnolia Invitational, and the Spirit of Southern Invitational, in addition to performing at other events in the community. Reverb’s love for vocal music comes across in every performance, entertaining every audience from their exciting first season and beyond.

Sounds of PRC is a talented mixed vocal ensemble from Pearl River Central High School in Carriere, Miss. Founded five years ago, this group has become known for its versatility and passion for performance. Sounds of PRC sings a diverse repertoire, ranging from sacred to secular music, showcasing their ability to adapt to various styles and settings. They frequently perform at charity events and competitions, contributing to their local community while building a strong reputation in surrounding areas. Whether performing at formal venues or casual gatherings, this ensemble always delivers a captivating musical experience. In their ICHSA debut, Sounds of PRC is thrilled to step into the a cappella world and showcase their vocal talents on a larger stage, representing Pearl River Central High School with pride and enthusiasm.

Spectra is the dynamic 15-member a cappella ensemble from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss. This auditioned group brings together passionate singers who share a love for blending genres and infusing each performance with energy and enthusiasm. They are proud to make their first ICHSA appearance this year, and note this debut as a significant milestone. Spectra also released their debut single, "Aretha," on all streaming platforms this past November.

Traces of Blue is the advanced women's choir and pop a cappella ensemble from Sumrall High School. Traces of Blue has performed extensively throughout the United States and made their ICHSA debut in 2023, placing 1st at South Quarterfinals and 2nd at Semifinals. In 2024, Traces of Blue placed 2nd at Quarterfinals, 1st at Semifinals, and went on to compete in ICHSA Finals in New York. Traces of Blue aims to serve as positive role models by sharing their musical talents, inspiring confidence and individuality in younger singers, and enriching their community.

VocalEase! is Albertville High School's audition-based a cappella ensemble. VocalEase! is proud to be the Albertville High School Choral Department's flagship group, performing at local events, as well as the Governor's Mansion in Montgomery. They are excited for the opportunity to perform and compete in their second ICHSA season!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

A native of Ripley, Tenn., Emmanuel Carney, holds two Bachelor of Music Education degrees in instrumental and choral music education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He currently serves as Director of Choirs and Assistant Band Director at Long Beach Middle School, where he directs the Harper McCaughan Singers, Bearcat treble chorus, Bearcat Opus, Bearcat chorale, and beginning band. His ensembles have consistently received Superior ratings for onstage and sightreading performances at the state level. As a performer, he has performed and toured at the state, national, and international level including South Korea, Estonia, and Spain. In 2024, Emmanuel was selected as the winner of the inaugural Tidewater Conducting Summit and Competition at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. He was also named as the school and district VFW Teacher of the Year for the 2024-25 school year. Emmanuel is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Mississippi Music Educators Association, Gulf Coast Band Directors Association, Mississippi Bandmasters Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

Christina Carter holds a master’s degree in music education from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s degree in music from Belmont University. She is celebrating her 26th year of teaching in private vocal, musical theatre, and choral performance settings. No stranger to the stage, Christina began competing as a vocalist at age nine and has led ensembles to success in show choir and a cappella competitions since 1995. She has taught at all levels from pre-K to collegiate education, and currently directs a high school a cappella group that has successfully competed in ICHSA Quarterfinals and Semifinals since 2017. Christina is the Florida Ambassador for the National A Cappella Association and an adjudicator for solo, show choir, concert choir, and a cappella events. She stays active as a performer in the Bach Festival Choir of Winter Park. In addition to all things music and singing, Christina loves to travel, arrange choral pieces, and spend time with her daughter, Kylee, and her husband, Chance.

Jacob F. Morris is a performer, director, and dog dad based on the Gulf Coast. He founded Upper Room A Cappella at Spring Hill College. Now he is a fulltime theatrical performer and director for Off-Broadway, regional theatre, and youth theatre productions. He has performed across the country. Off-Broadway credits include “The Do Not Sing List” (54 Below) and “Broadway Goes A Cappella” (Green Room 42). Regional credits include “Jersey Boys” (FestivalSouth), the regional premiere of "The Play that Goes Wrong" (Festival South), "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (EverBlue Arts), as well as “The Making of Scrooge” and "Tinsel Tones" (OWA Parks and Resort). Jacob carries a Master of Arts in musical theatre from the University of Mobile. He is the executive director of JF Morris Performance LLC, a professional theatrical production and casting company based on the Gulf Coast. Regional directing credits include “Mega Musicals,” “A Very Broadway Holiday,” “Broadway Night,” "The Addams Family," "Disney's The Little Mermaid," "CLUE," "The Wizard of Oz," and “Shrek the Musical.” Jacob is the artistic director at Bay Area Performing Arts, a pre-professional youth theatre academy in Daphne, Ala. @_jacob_morris_

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 three placing groups at this event will advance to the 2025 ICHSA South 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