2025 ICHSA South Quarterfinal @ Cypress Lake 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 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL

Cypress Lake High School
Friday, February 14th, 2025

WE'RE SOCIAL

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

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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

Acapocalypse is a fun-loving, student-led a cappella group that is all about good vibes, great music, and having a blast together. This group is not just about hitting the right notes; they love diving into what makes music and dance so meaningful. Whether they are putting their own spin on your favorite songs or just goofing around at rehearsal, Acapocalypse knows how to keep things fun while delivering meaningful performances. With a mix of talent, creativity, and a strong sense of community, this group is all about sharing their love for music and making every performance a memorable one.

Aquapella is a vibrant, mixed-gender a cappella group from NSU University School making their ICHSA debut this year. Known for their unique sound and tight-knit camaraderie, Aquapella regularly performs at school concerts and university events. Their performances captivate audiences with a seamless blend of harmonies and infectious energy. As they take the ICHSA stage for the first time, Aquapella is excited to share their passion for music and create memorable experiences.

Astra is Trinity Preparatory School’s dynamic, new all-female a cappella group, making their debut in this year’s ICHSA. Composed of talented young women who are deeply committed to their craft, Astra is passionate about storytelling through music and strives to infuse every performance with emotional depth and authenticity. With a sharp focus on vocal precision and artistry, Astra has quickly built a reputation for its dedication and hard work. Each member is united by a shared devotion to a cappella music and a drive to create powerful musical moments on stage. As they prepare for their first ICHSA season, Astra is ready to showcase their talent, creativity, and the results of their tireless rehearsals.

ForteFy is a class of a cappella enthusiasts who meet on a daily basis and sing a diverse range of a cappella music, from classical to jazz standards and contemporary pop. The students' love and ambition for musical excellence has motivated them to create a community of singers that support one another in and out of the chorus room.

HyperOctave is composed of members of Heritage High School’s mixed show choir. They enjoy performing in their local community, at Disney, and at competitions like ICHSA. This group consistently earns Superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments.

Rhapsody is composed of members of Heritage High School’s (mostly) treble show choir. They enjoy performing in their local community, at Disney, and at competitions like ICHSA. This group consistently earns Superior ratings at District Music Performance Assessments.

The Sharkapellas, from Ponte Vedra High School, are thrilled to be back at ICHSA this year. They are so excited to meet the other groups and enjoy their wonderful sets. They are a fully student-run group and their school mascot is a shark named Bruce. The Sharkapellas love participating in community performances, especially around Christmastime.

Currently in their 22nd year of existence, The A Cappella Group is very excited to be competing in this year’s ICHSA. TAG, as the group is known, has represented the South in ICHSA Finals three times. The group just released its 17th studio album, There's A Light, in October 2024 and it is available to stream on all platforms. TAG holds the record for most Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) nominations by a high school group with 62 nominations and is tied for the most CARA wins with 14, including the Best High School Album category for their 2023 release, Look At Me Now.

This is Titonix A Cappella’s second year competing in the ICHSA and they are so excited to show their growth! They love making heartfelt music and have been working hard in rehearsals and performances to prepare for this event. Titonix looks forward to sharing their set and meeting all of the other talented groups.

VoSo is Trinity Preparatory School’s premier SATB a cappella group, based in Winter Park, Fla. Dedicated to vocal music in all its forms, VoSo performs an eclectic range of styles, from contemporary pop and indie to classical and jazz. With a reputation for high-energy performances and precise musicality, the group has competed in multiple ICHSA seasons, advancing to Semifinals and earning recognition for their artistry and passion. More than just a performance group, VoSo is a close-knit family that thrives on the deep connections among its members. This bond fuels their music and infuses every performance with joy and camaraderie. Whether onstage or in rehearsal, VoSo's commitment to excellence and love for all things a cappella inspire audiences and create unforgettable musical experiences.

Vocality is the premier a cappella ensemble at Boone High School. Formed in 2018, the group has developed their reputation and talent in the years since. Vocality had an impressive competitive debut when they were crowned Runner-Up at their very first ICHSA appearance. In 2022, they released their first song, “Traitor,” available on Apple Music and Spotify. In 2023, they took 1st place in the ICHSA South Semifinals and traveled to New York for ICHSA Finals! Vocality believes in having fun onstage and singing with their hearts. They are active performers in the Orlando community and have several recording projects in the works.

GUEST PERFORMER

Voicebox is an all-gender, award-winning a cappella group from the University of Central Florida. As a collective of musicians, they are constantly striving to step outside the box as artists and as individuals. In 2016, Voicebox competed in ICCA Finals and enjoyed every step of the process. They have also competed in and won Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) competitions, such as Boston Sings (BOSS), SoJam, and the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF). When not competing, they record studio albums, film music videos, and make content for their social media. They are beyond excited to share their art with you and hope you enjoy the rest of the show!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Paige Betts is the orchestra director at Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. She is an experienced music educator, having taught string orchestra, chorus, and musical theatre, and has twice been runner-up for Teacher of the Year. She has given clinics with various orchestras, chorus, and a cappella ensembles across the Southeast, and has taught private voice and viola lessons. Paige is a graduate of the University of Georgia and is currently working towards becoming a Double Dawg. Paige lives in Winterville, Ga. with her husband, Andrew, and their dogs, Jake and Barbara.

Sean Dean is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, vocal arranger, dancer, and choreographer. Originally from Phoenix, Ariz., Sean moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University and graduated with a B.M. in commercial music and a minor in music business. While in school, he served as the president and choreographer of The Pitchmen, leading the group to their 1st place ICCA Finals win during the 2023 season and taking home the special award for Outstanding Choreography at every ICCA competition that year. He was also a vocal arranger and dance captain for Company, the university’s award-winning commercial vocal ensemble. Currently, Sean is a choreographer and show designer for high school and collegiate a cappella programs, a clinician, and continues to write and perform original music.

Katelynn Harrar is a dedicated and talented vocalist and vocal percussionist with extensive experience in both a cappella and musical theatre. As the former CASA chapter president at the University of Central Florida, Katelynn played a key role in fostering a vibrant a cappella community. She attended Camp A Cappella in Dayton, Ohio, where she gained advanced knowledge in vocal performance and foundational vocal percussion. Katelynn has excelled as a vocal percussionist with a cappella groups Take 7 at Winter Park High School and KeyHarmony at UCF. She further nurtured her passion for music with a degree in musical theatre from Valencia College, where she developed her vocal versatility and stage presence. Katelynn attributes her knowledge and skills to the wonderful direction of Dr. Matthew Swope and Charlie Arthur.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Gary Stroh; 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