DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome to Varsity Vocals’ 30th season! After more than a quarter century of presenting the best student groups on the stage and in the studio, our enthusiasm for the art of a cappella is greater than ever.

Our tournaments have grown from a handful of events to the massive showcase they are today, currently featuring more than 730 groups and around 12,000 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 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 from other groups.  

We have seen a cappella make great strides from where it began on our stage 30 years ago and can’t wait to see how our 2026 competitors continue to 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

ICCA CENTRAL QUARTERFINAL

University of Waterloo
Saturday, February 7th, 2026

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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 college tournament, now in it's 30th year, 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 25th.

The high school tournament is now in its 21st 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 24th.

 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 10 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 Acabellas is the University of Waterloo's premier upper-voice a cappella group, representing the UW A Cappella Club (UWACC). They serve spicy performances, with killer vocals and smooth choreography. In 2016, The Bellas made their ICCA debut and placed 3rd at Quarterfinals. In 2025, The Bellas competed at the Queen's University A Cappella Competition and placed 3rd, with additional awards for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Arrangement. 

From the dull, grey depths of London, Ontario, emerges Western University's shining star, Equivox! The university's only mixed-voice, competitive a cappella team, Equivox is excited for their 10th ICCA season. They placed 3rd in their 2024 ICCA Central Quarterfinal and reached a record 2nd place finish in 2025, advancing to ICCA Central Semifinals for the first time! Although they primarily specialize in pop music and its many subgenres, Equivox is true to its name and proudly experiments with different styles of music and performance. An entirely student-led group, they also create all of their own arrangements and choreography. Equivox is excited to share their set with you and hope you enjoy experiencing it as much as they have enjoyed preparing it! 

The MacaFellas come from McMaster University, bringing energy, spirit, and attitude! This diverse bunch varies in backgrounds, interests, and studies, but they share a passion for performing and knocking your socks off. Rehearsals are a beautiful balance between dedication and shenanigans and never a dull moment. When they aren't drilling the same few bars 30 times over, they are experimenting with strange vocal exercises or trying to nail the timing on a challenging bit of choreo. If they aren't doing any of those things, odds are that they are brutally distracted, but even that reflects the team’s sense of fun and community. The group provides an inclusive musical space for its members to make memories together. The MacaFellas are delighted to be back for the 2026 ICCA season and hope to blow audiences and judges away with an impressive display of artistry! Thanks to McMaster University, as well as the other teams that make up the McMaster A Cappella family: Pitchslapped, Macapella, and Bass'd! 

Macappella, the first all-range a cappella group founded at McMaster University, is a powerhouse of vocal versatility and artistic passion. Born from a shared love for the performing arts, this dynamic ensemble thrives on creativity, storytelling, and connection. While Pella has long been rooted in smooth R&B harmonies, the group constantly pushes their own boundaries, blending various musical genres with emotional storytelling to create sets that are as bold as they are heartfelt. Each member brings a distinct musical background and their combined sound bridges soul and alt-rock angst. Since their ICCA debut in 2017, Macappella has been on an upward journey, earning 3rd place at the 2024 Queen’s University A Cappella Competition and 4th place at their 2025 ICCA Central Quarterfinal. Whether they’re performing onstage or running on caffeine and harmonizing between midterms, Macappella always brings energy and cherishes every moment. 

On That Note is the premier competitive women and queer-centered a cappella group from Toronto Metropolitan University. Founded in 2020, On That Note boasts a unique sound, an outside-the-box artistic vision, and a repertoire of songs originally performed by women and queer artists. Over the years, On That Note has gained widespread acclaim for their stage presence and all-original arrangements and choreography. This vibrant group bonds through a shared love for singing, a familial connection, and a passion for creating sets that tell a story. The group has enjoyed incredible success in the ICCA since their in-person debut in 2023, progressing all the way to ICCA Finals as Central Champion in both 2023 and 2024 and placing 3rd at the 2025 Central Semifinals. Their powerful, narrative-driven sets have also earned them multiple special awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Soloist, and Choreography. They released their Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA)-winning debut EP in 2024 and released their second EP, human.EXE, this past fall! On That Note hopes that their new roster’s passion for one another and the music they perform will shine through onstage and carry on the group’s legacy for the 2026 ICCA season! 

PitchSlapped is McMaster University's competitive high-range a cappella group! The group members represent a wide range of academic programs, from engineering to business to health sciences to liberal arts, all united by a deep love of music. They perform across genres, blending indie pop, R&B, movie soundtracks, throwbacks, and emotional ballads into a sound that’s unmistakably theirs. PitchSlapped sets itself apart through their dedication to storytelling and thematic performance. Each competition set is crafted around a central idea, with emotions, movement, and musical details that bring it to life. They utilize their vocal blend, dynamics, and expressive choreography to share their story with audiences, combining musicality and technique for a standout performance. Since making their competitive debut in fall 2019, PitchSlapped has proudly represented McMaster University at the ICCA for six consecutive years. Beyond their musical achievements, this tight-knit family thrives on laughter, creativity, and shared growth. They are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share their passion, showcase their talents, and learn from other collegiate groups. PitchSlapped is thrilled to be back this year and can’t wait to take the stage! 

RESONATE is a competitive a cappella team from Toronto Metropolitan University, based in Toronto, Canada. They placed 1st at ICCA Quarterfinals in 2021, for their pop medley “Money, Everywhere,” and again in 2022, for their all-original set, “A Matter of Time.” RESONATE members have also earned special ICCA awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Mix, Videography, Choreography, Soloist, and Vocal Percussion. Since its formation in 2013, the group has performed at various concerts and events throughout the Greater Toronto Area, produced virtual covers for their social media @resonatetoronto, and even appeared in Prime Video's comedy-drama series, “Overcompensating.” Over the years, their repertoire has grown to include diverse musical genres, ranging from pop to rock to R&B to popular soundtracks, and their spellbinding sets transport audiences on a musical journey. RESONATE is a collective of talented individuals with a shared passion for music. Beyond the music, this group’s bond has created lasting friendships. RESONATE is very excited to participate in the ICCA again and honoured to represent Canada in this international competition. 

Tunes. Beats. Awesome. (TBA) is one of the University of Toronto’s longest-standing collegiate a cappella groups, dating back to 2003 and representing a unique mix of students from various colleges, departments, and programs. TBA is an all-gender, award-winning, competitive group, committed to having fun and creating unbreakable bonds, all while making TBAwesome music! They deliver a fresh perspective on popular music, with tight harmonies, a cohesive sound, and innovative original arrangements. 

The Unaccompanied Minors is a mixed-voice, auditioned a cappella group from the University of Waterloo, which has been belting out bangers since 2009. They love delivering powerful, passionate and high-energy performances, spanning genres from top 40 hits to indie to R&B. Focusing on blend, musicality, and performance, they spread the aca-love wherever they go, from the Kitchener-Waterloo area to Toronto to the United States. In 2020, The Unaccompanied Minors placed 2nd at their ICCA Central Quarterfinal and won awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Arrangement. In 2021, they remotely competed in the ICCA, where they placed 2nd again at Quarterfinals and won Outstanding Vocal Percussion and Outstanding Videography. They advanced to the 2021 Central Semifinals and ultimately placed 3rd, also receiving the Outstanding Mix award! In 2021, they also remotely competed in the Slaight Music Sing! Toronto Collegiate A Cappella Competition and won the Grand Prize, earning their performance at the 2022 SING! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. You can find The Unaccompanied Minors on all social media platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram! 

The Water Boys is the University of Waterloo's first a cappella group, founded in 2008. This wet and witty lower-voiced group explores a variety of music, from old classics to modern hits. The Water Boys have competed in ICCA for over 14 years, most recently progressing to the 2024 Central Semifinals and placing 3rd at their 2025 Quarterfinal. They look forward to making a splash on the 2026 ICCA stage and can't wait to showcase their hard work this season! 

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Allison Cranmer is a graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with degrees in music education and mathematics. While at Potsdam, Allison music directed and arranged for A Sharp Arrangement, the only all-treble group on campus. As the music director, she led the Sharps to their first-ever ICCA Semifinal, toured around New York State, and recorded several different projects. Currently, Allison is the vocal and general music teacher at Palmyra-Macedon Middle School. She shares her love of a cappella with her students by listening, arranging, and performing a cappella music with them daily.

Bryce Davis is a performer and arts administrator based in Rochester, N.Y. His love for a cappella was ignited in high school by a grainy YouTube video of Rockapella performing "Sixteen Tons," and he never looked back. Bryce studied  music theory and history at the University of Rochester, where he sang bass in the Midnight Ramblers and served as creative director of their three-time CARA-winning 2021 release, Things That You Say. He has also performed and directed with ROC Players Musical Theatre and Wellsville High School's WAVE. He currently serves as the Director of Institutional Partnerships of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Philip Jarosz has appeared on various stages throughout Western New York, including Studio Arena, Artpark, and Lancaster Opera House. He has also performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and in Opera Sacra productions. Philip is a founding member of the The Lake Effect all-male a cappella ensemble, Vocalis, and the Harmonia Chamber Singers. Philip teaches in the Kenmore-Tonawanda school district where he has directed productions of "The Laramie Project," "Six Degrees of Separation," "Sweeney Todd," "Les Miserables," and "The Drowsy Chaperone," to name a few. In 2018, Philip was named Buffalo Theatre Person of the Year.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Bryce McCracken, Chelsea Perticone, UW A Cappella Club, ACE, Barbershop Chorus, Carlos Fernandez, Janelle Rainville, Jennifer Lee, and The Humanities Theater; 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 Witham
Producer, ICCA United Kingdom

Rebecca Williamson
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

Angelina Corbin
 Associate Producer
ICCA & ICHSA South

Sara Yood
Senior Producer, ICCA & ICHSA Finals

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

McKinley Thoreson
 Associate Producer
ICHSA Great Lakes

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 2026 ICCA Central 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!

#ICCA