2026 ICCA Central Semifinal @ University of Buffalo

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 SEMIFINAL

University of Buffalo
Saturday, March 21st, 2026

WE'RE SOCIAL

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

varsityvocals

@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

The Class Notes is Cornell's oldest existing all-gender a cappella group. Originally founded in 1983 as a jazz group, the group has since grown to sing everything, spanning from Beyoncé to Ariana Grande to James Arthur. The Class Notes have spread their sound across Cornell's campus, throughout New York, and around the globe, with annual tours to places like Jamaica, Toronto, Miami, Boston, and Philadelphia. Known for their sharp choreography, crazy concert themes, and love for Tostitos Hint of Lime chips, The Class Notes have carved a special place for themselves in the Cornell community and beyond. Over the years, The Class Notes have earned features on compilation albums and internationally produced music videos. They made it all the way to ICCA Finals in 2022 as the ICCA Central Champions and have earned many special awards over the years, including Outstanding Arrangement at the 2019 ICCA Central Quarterfinals for “Japanese Denim” by Daniel Caesar. With a unique style and bold passion built from four decades of dynamic performances, The Class Notes continue to redefine collegiate a cappella on every stage they take.

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!

Dynamic Intonation is SUNY Fredonia's only competitive a cappella group. This all-voice, jazz-pop ensemble includes 20 musicians, with majors ranging from theatre to math. DI has performed at the ICCA for the past three years, most recently taking 1st place at their 2025 ICCA Central Quarterfinal and going on to place 4th at Semifinals. They have been making sweet, sweet butter since 2012 and can't wait to do it again this year! @di_fredonia

Off The Record (OTR), is one of Lehigh University’s premier co-ed a cappella groups. Founded in 2009, they recently celebrated 15 years of music and memories with a reunion concert featuring over 20 alumni! Last year, OTR made history as the first Lehigh a cappella group to place at ICCA Semifinals, following their 1st place win at ICCA Central Quarterfinals. Their incredibly successful 2025 ICCA season also included special awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Outstanding Soloist, and Outstanding Choreography. OTR’s journey to ICCA Semifinals was supported by an outpouring of community fundraising, a testament to the group’s lasting impact and devoted network of alumni, friends, and family! Beyond competitions, they perform at campus events, such as The Rally, Family Weekend, Founder’s Day, Pride-a-Palooza, Rivalry Week’s Le-Lafapella, and the Soaring Together Summit. Last spring, the group released a new album, It’s Not The Song, It Is The Singing, on streaming platforms and has more recordings on the way. Above all else, OTR is a family, singing for their community, alumni, and themselves.

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!

The Songburghs is one of the University of Pittsburgh's premier all-gender a cappella groups. Established in 2015, they pride themselves on an expansive and authentic repertoire that covers a wide variety of musical styles. An entirely student-run group, they work together to create performances for various events throughout Pittsburgh. The Songburghs have also competed at the ICCA, earning 1st place at Central Quarterfinals in 2019, 2020, 2024, and 2025, 2nd place at Quarterfinals in 2023, and 3rd place in 2022. Previously, The Songburghs have released four EPs on Spotify and continue to release sets via social media! With their love for music, performance, and one another, The Songburghs strive to create versatile arrangements, entertaining performances, and a positive bond with their community.

The Treblemakers, from Carnegie Mellon University, is a competitive, co-ed a cappella group, founded in 2010. They love competing in the ICCA each year and are excited to be back! The Treblemakers have a broad musical palate and sing songs from many different genres. This year, they are recording their second full album! Recent highlights from ICCA Central Quarterfinals include winning 2nd place in 2022, 1st place in 2023, and 3rd place in both 2024 and 2025. They were also awarded Outstanding Vocal Percussion in 2022 and Outstanding Soloist in 2023.

Vocal Point is the University of Rochester's historically female, gender-inclusive a cappella group. Founded in 1969 as a women's ensemble of 12, the group has transformed over five decades to the contemporary a cappella group it is today. Over the years, Vocal Point has performed all across North America, in cities such as Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, the Metropolitan Club in New York City, and more. The group placed 1st Runner-Up at the ICCA Central Quarterfinals in both 2016 and 2019. In 2024, they took 1st place in the ICCA Central Quarterfinals, along with special awards for Outstanding Vocal Percussion and Outstanding Choreography. Vocal Point released their newest album, Wait For Me, in 2023 and a new single, "Cooler Than Me," in 2025, both available on all streaming platforms. For more information, visit urvocalpoint.com!

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

Brandon Burgess, a native of Western New York, received his B.M. in music education, and M.M. in music performance (clarinet), at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. While there, Brandon spent several semesters in the co-ed cappella group, The Potsdam Pitches. He held several board positions while in the group. Most notably, Brandon was president of The Pitches when they were named ICCA Central Champions and advanced to the 2018 ICCA Finals. An active teacher and performer, Brandon teaches elementary band in the North Tonawanda City School District and maintains a dynamic private studio. He currently serves as the Niagara County Music Educators Association vice president, and performs regularly with the Erie County Wind Ensemble (E-flat and B-flat clarinet) and as a woodwind specialist in many Buffalo area pit orchestras. Brandon wishes luck to all groups competing in ICCA and ICHSA competitions this season! Go Bills!

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.

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.

Melissa Rashford is a proud alumna of The Mandarins, Syracuse University’s oldest all-female a cappella group. Under her direction, The Mandarins competed and performed throughout the eastern United States, winning multiple awards and earning national recognition by advancing to the ICCA Finals. Melissa teaches musical theatre at Rome Free Academy in Rome, N.Y., performs with the Syracuse University Oratorio Society, and is a former adjudicator for the Syracuse High School Theatre Awards. She holds degrees in music industry and business administration, and currently works in Syracuse University's Division of Marketing. Melissa is excited to continue judging for Varsity Vocals and wishes luck to all of tonight's performers!

Ron Veiders earned his B.A. in musicology and M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Buffalo, where he also co-founded The Buffalo Chips, an all-male a cappella group. Post-graduation, he founded the professional a cappella group, The Lake Effect, and served as their business manager. He has been judging for ICCA since 2005, and currently works and currently works as Director of Marketing for Curbell Medical in Orchard Park, N.Y. He also enjoys bowling, golf, the Buffalo Sabres, and spending time with his wife, Amy.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Bryce McCracken, Chelsea Perticone, Brandon Wilfrom, Joey Cassata, RDX, and staff from the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts; 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 placing group at this event will advance to the 2026 ICCA Finals .

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

#ICCA