2025 ICCA Central Quarterfinal @ Penn State University

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

Penn State University
Saturday, February 28th, 2026

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 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

A Whole Step Up is Lehigh's premier, all-gender, tenor-bass a capella group. With repertoire spanning several decades and genres, they have performed everything, from 50s doo-wop to barbershop harmonies to traditional folk music to the pop and rock of every era. Founded in 2005, they have since developed a reputation for their contagious energy. Every performance is filled with passion, personality, and one other word starting with P. Throughout the year, A Whole Step Up shares their talents on stages on and off the Lehigh campus. They are so excited to be back for another ICCA season.

Founded in 2017, Chromatic is the premier a cappella group at Millersville University. Previous ICCA accolades include winning 1st place at Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals in 2021 and 2022, placing 3rd at the 2022 ICCA Mid-Atlantic Semifinals, and most recently taking 3rd at Quarterfinals in 2023. They have a large following on social media with over 50,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. On Spotify, they have released two singles, an EP (Technicolor), and two full albums (Metamorphosis and Anomaly)! They also have two music videos out, featuring the songs "Golden Hour" by JVKE and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire.” Chromatic hopes that you enjoy this evening full of amazing performances and invite you to follow them @muchromatic to keep up with more performances and projects.

The Coda Conduct is Penn State’s premier, gender-inclusive, student-run a cappella group. Last year, Coda placed 2nd at ICCA Central Quarterfinals and had the privilege of competing in the 2025 ICCA Central Semifinals! In addition to ICCA, Coda competes in Penn State a cappella competitions, performs at school sporting events, and hosts a cappella meet-ups with other local groups. Another recent favorite performance was at THON 2025.

Crimson Chords is Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s (IUP) only a cappella group consisting of all genders, voice parts, and majors! Initially established in 2015 as an all-female jazz group, Crimson Chords rebranded as a contemporary a cappella group in 2020 and made their ICCA debut in 2023. After their first year competing in Pittsburgh, the group fell in love with the ICCA scene, especially getting to mingle with and hype up their fellow groups! They are so excited to be back for their fourth ICCA appearance. During the rest of the year, the Crimson Chords travel to other schools for invitationals, perform around campus, sing in the staircase and the Oak Grove, film TikToks, and hold costume karaoke parties! They always center fun and connection in their performances and hope that shines through tonight’s set. Crimson Chords hope you have as much fun listening as they do performing!

Fanaa is Penn State’s premier South Asian fusion a cappella group, blending the vibrant melodies of Bollywood with the dynamic harmonies of Western music. Founded in 2013 on the values of creativity, culture, and collaboration, Fanaa showcases the beauty of musical fusion through powerful vocals, innovative arrangements, and unforgettable performances. Over the years, Fanaa has competed, traveled, and performed across the country with a variety of talented artists and teams. From campus concerts to national competitions, Fanaa represents Penn State with energy, artistry, and pride.

The Lehigh Melismatics is Lehigh University’s oldest all-gender a cappella group, making music since 2001. Over the years, they have performed a diverse range of songs across multiple decades and genres, from timeless classics to modern favorites. They compete annually in the ICCA, earning Quarterfinal placements and special awards over the years, most recently winning Outstanding Vocal Percussion. To date, The Melismatics have released seven studio albums and singles, including their latest single, "Run Away With Me," in fall 2023. In addition to performing on campus and competing in the ICCA, The Melismatics have the honor of performing at Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular every other year. This close-knit group loves growing and learning music together, creating lasting memories along the way. The Melismatics are thrilled to showcase their unique style and arrangements with the ICCA audience.

Mic Drop is Duquesne University's first and only a cappella group on campus. Founded in 2017, the group is open to students of all genders and majors. Their pop repertoire includes both current songs and throwback favorites. Thrilled for their sixth ICCA, Mic Drop can’t wait to share their hard work this year and celebrate a cappella!

Founded in 1991, None of the Above is Penn State's oldest co-ed a cappella group! An entirely student-run group, NOTA members arrange all their own music, manage rehearsals, plan and organize performances and social events, record and edit music videos, and more! Proud of the family they have created at Penn State, NOTA values inclusivity and welcomes everyone! Follow NOTA on Instagram @noneoftheabovepsu for more updates!

The Statesmen is Penn State's premier all-male a cappella group, because it is Penn State's ONLY all-male a cappella group. Established in 2011, the group is focused on sharing their love of performing with the PSU community and swelling Penn State's fame. The Statesmen frequently perform on campus and were honored to open for THON 2025. Check them out @statesmenpsu on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, and keep an eye out for their new album on Spotify and Apple Music! After receiving 3rd place at last year's ICCA Central Quarterfinal, The Statesmen are excited to return for the 2026 ICCA season.

VilleHarmonics is one of three student-led a cappella groups at Millersville University. Currently in their fourth year, they couldn’t be prouder of all their accomplishments in that short time. The group was honored to compete in previous ICCA seasons, most recently earning 4th place and the Outstanding Choreography award in their 2025 Central Quarterfinal. In addition to this incredible competition, VH has performed in showcases on and off campus, and hosted two of their own concerts. They are proud to be a part of such a vibrant and supportive community on the Millersville campus. The VilleHarmonics are grateful to be back for their fourth ICCA and they hope you enjoy their performance!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

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 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (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.

Nick Quintana is a vocalist, arranger, and choreographer based in Pittsburgh. He graduated with honors from the University of Delaware, earning a B.S. in marketing, advertising, and applied music. There, he also served as president of the award-winning a cappella group, Vocal Point. Under his leadership, the group placed 2nd in the 2022 and 2023 ICCA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals, earned two Outstanding Choreography awards (2023 Semifinals 2024 Quarterfinals), and won 1st place at their 2024 Quarterfinal. Also in 2024, Nick was recognized with the Outstanding Arrangement award at VoiceJam, presented by Deke Sharon and Grammy winner Claude McKnight III. He currently works as a content creator for Cut Off Studios and remains active in the contemporary a cappella community.

John R. Starr is the former music director and vocal percussionist of The Songburghs, a co-ed a cappella group from the University of Pittsburgh. He led his group to three back-to-back ICCA Semifinals appearances from 2018 through 2020 and holds an Outstanding Vocal Percussion award for their entire 2019 set. His a cappella arranging work can be found on their first two EPs, Forward and Orbit, and he has frequently arranged and edited arrangements for other collegiate groups. John is a classically trained pianist and has arranged music for jazz bands, choral groups, small orchestras, in addition to a cappella groups.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Bryce McCracken, Chelsea Perticone, Ben Moore, and Jenna Campbell; 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!

VIEW ALBUMS

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