2025 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal @ Warren Central High School

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 MIDWEST QUARTERFINAL

Warren Central High School
Saturday, January 24th, 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 Purdue AcaBellas is the premier all-female a cappella group on campus. Founded in 2016 by three undergraduate students, The AcaBellas’ repertoire ranges from pop hits to classic a cappella throwbacks. They focus on providing a creative space for women of all majors at Purdue to create music. Outside of rehearsals, The AcaBellas are active members of the community in and around Purdue, partaking in volunteer opportunities year-round. They support every group member’s musical, professional, and personal development, providing experiences on and off stage that will shape their identities during college and beyond. This year, The Acabellas have put together a show that invites the audience to join them on a journey of self-acceptance, rebirth, and understanding. In the darkest of times, they want to encourage others to break the mold and lean into community. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel and The Bellas challenge you to reach out and find it.

Founded in 2015, AcousChicks A Cappella is the only all-treble a cappella group on BGSU’s campus. They perform at ICCA every year, notably advancing to Semifinals in 2023. Their music spreads far beyond the ICCA stage and they perform at many other events on campus and throughout the Bowling Green community. Their members major in a variety of subjects, from STEM to social work, from business to music education, and everything in between. This flock of geese can regularly be found honking their favorite tunes and wearing their signature blue. They are excited to return for another ICCA season!

Since its founding in 2001, After Dark has been performing, achieving, and having fun. They pride themselves on performing a wide array of music and creating interesting and fun arrangements. Each year, After Dark hosts a joint fall concert and a two-nightsSpring concert, competes in ICCA (most recently winning 3rd place and Outstanding Vocal Percussion in their 2024 ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal), and performs gigs around St. Louis. In addition to their live performances, After Dark has released five full-length studio albums and four EPs, including their new album, The After Party, which is available now on Spotify and Apple Music!

Audio Pilots is an all-male a cappella group at the University of Dayton. Founded in 2009, The Audio Pilots strive to bring high-quality a cappella music to their community, while growing closer as a group. The Pilots specialize in rock and pop and are famous on campus for covering the most recent song of the summer in a cappella form during their annual fall concert! The Pilots have competed in ICCA for several years, placing 4th in their 2023 Quarterfinal. After another successful season, The Pilots are thrilled to perform at another ICCA Quarterfinal!

The Bloomingtones was created in 2023 to offer greater vocal performance opportunities for treble-voiced Indiana University students. These women come from different backgrounds and interests, but come together for a shared love of music. They maintain a rigorous rehearsal schedule and seek to perform music from a wide range of genres for audiences of all ages. The Bloomingtones are proud to be a new treble a cappella group on campus and strive to share their passion with a wider audience.

Just Duet is from Miami University of Ohio and is the only co-ed a cappella group on campus. Just Duet looks forward to the ICCA every year and is thrilled to be back. In 2023, the group placed 2nd at Quarterfinals and advanced to Semifinals in St. Louis. Along with competing, Just Duet loves to record and release as much music as possible. You can find them on any music streaming service @Just Duet A Cappella (wink). The group encompasses a variety of majors, from theatre to STEM, but they all share a love and passion for making beautiful music (specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays because that is when they rehearse!) (wink). They hope you enjoy the set!

On A Side Note (OASN) is IU Indy's premier a cappella crew, bringing together an all-star lineup of student vocalists. Since 2016, this group has passed the mic and the spirit from one generation of students to the next, making magic happen with just their voices. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, OASN’s setlist ranges from catchy pop hits to soulful ballads. They love showing off their skills at events like ICCA, Regatta on the Canal, and gigs on and off campus. Beyond the spotlight, OASN is a melting pot of diverse personalities, united by a love for music and good vibes. Their rehearsals are a mix of hard work, laughs, and probably a few spontaneous sing-offs. Whether they’re sharing inside jokes or filming viral TikToks, every moment is a blast with OASN!

Resting Pitch Face is Indiana University's premier mixed a cappella group. Originally founded in 2015, Resting Pitch Face is thrilled to celebrate its 11th year as a group. Since performing their first song, Electric Light Orchestra's hit "Mr. Blue Sky," Resting Pitch Face has grown in size and recognition, notably releasing their debut album, Starting Pitch, in 2022. This is Resting Pitch Face’s second year competing in the ICCA and they were honored to receive 1st place in last year's Midwest Quarterfinal and advancing to Semifinals. Resting Pitch Face enjoys performing around the Indiana University campus and in the local community.

Soundtracks A Cappella is Purdue University’s premier contemporary co-ed a cappella group, founded in 2016 with a mission to bring vibrant, heartfelt music to all audiences. Entirely student-led, Soundtracks prides itself on crafting every aspect of its performances, from intricate vocal arrangements to dynamic choreography that brings each song to life. The group’s members come from a wide range of majors and backgrounds, united by a shared passion for music and storytelling. With a repertoire spanning various genres, Soundtracks balances high energy with emotional depth, transforming familiar tunes into powerful, all-vocal experiences. In 2022, Soundtracks earned 3rd place at the ICCA Midwest Quarterfinals, a testament to their dedication, creativity, and connection as performers. Whether they’re performing on campus, competing onstage, or collaborating in rehearsals late into the night, Soundtracks A Cappella continues to grow. This family of musicians is devoted to pushing the boundaries of contemporary a cappella and inspiring others through song.

Vocal Intensity A Cappella is Kent State University's only a cappella group. Composed of students from all majors and musical backgrounds, Vocal Intensity strives to create a safe space for all its members and share their love of performing with every audience they can. In 2024, Vocal Intensity placed 2nd at the ICCA Midwest Quarterfinals and received the Outstanding Performer award at Midwest Semifinals, which had only been given out three times before. They most recently placed 3rd at Midwest Quarterfinals in 2025. You can follow Vocal Intensity on Instagram and TikTok @ksuvocalintensity. RUSH KAPPA VI!

GUEST PERFORMER

16th Street Soul is the premier contemporary a cappella ensemble of Warren Central High School. They ignite the stage with a bold, cinematic sound that is raw, urgent, and unmistakably their own. Forged in the heart of Indianapolis’s Eastside, these artists embody resilience, passion, and purpose. Under the direction of Mr. Brian Long, 16th Street Soul is known for its rich vocal blend, striking musicality, and performances that blur the line between concert and theatre, infusing music with movement, emotion, and narrative. Tonight, they present their 2026 competition production, “The Fire You Become,” a four-movement journey through shadow, resistance, confession, and rebirth. This show asks what rises within when the world begins to burn and who people choose to become on the other side. More than an ensemble, 16th Street Soul is a family of artists who train relentlessly, collaborate fearlessly, and represent what truly makes Warren Central the pride of the Eastside. This is their voice. This is their story. This is the fire they become.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Sophie Liese is a singer, educator, and arranger based out of Indianapolis. In 2019, she graduated with a degree in technical theatre from Ball State University, minoring in vocal performance and music theory. At BSU, she founded The Parallels A Cappella as a freshman and served as music director for four consecutive years. Since then, she has taught at the National A Cappella and Choral Convention (NACC), the Indianapolis A Cappella Festival, N.E Voices, and A Cappella University. She has also facilitated several One Day Choir events in the Midwest, encouraging singers of all ages and experience levels to come together to create music. Sophie is currently the Social Media Manager for NACC and the Director of Outreach for Cutoff Studios.

Jamaican baritone Giovani Malcolm is a student of Tichina Vaughn at Indiana University. He is in his final year working toward his Doctor of Music at the Jacobs School of Music, where he previously earned his Master of Music. He also serves as Assistant Director of Social Media and an Associate Instructor of Voice at Indiana University. He recently sang in the trio of Bernstein’s "Trouble in Tahiti," and the choruses of "Liverpool Oratorio," "La Traviata," "Don Giovanni," "Sweeney Todd," and "Candide." Giovani was a Finalist in the 2025 NSAL Indiana Chapter Voice Competition, the 2024 Carolyn Bailey Argento Vocal Competition of the National Opera Association, and the 2022 Florida Grand Opera Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition. He also received an Encouragement Award at the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont St. Louis District and the Art Song Award at the 2022 George Shirley Vocal Competition. An active member of the Elevation Vocal Ensemble, Giovani holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Delaware, where he performed with Vocal Point and served as music director of The YChromes for three years, leading the group through the Mid-Atlantic ICCA.

Edric Mitchell is a proud alum of Ball State University! At Ball State, Edric got started in a cappella with the all-male group, Charlie's Angels. He quickly became a founding member of BSU's Note to Self, and spent four years with them as a member, coordinator, and music director. Edric was also a founding member and music director of Sedoctave, and founder of the Association of Collegiate A Cappella (ACA) at Ball State. ACA is an umbrella organization that unites all collegiate a cappella groups on the BSU Campus. As an ICCA competitor, Edric received Outstanding Arrangement awards and an Outstanding Soloist award. In 2017, Edric became a founding member of Impromptu, an Indianapolis-based professional a cappella group. Impromptu placed 2nd in both the 2017 Open Midwest Semifinal and the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes, and won the VoiceJam Champion title in 2018. Since then, Imprumptu has traveled around the world, performing at a cappella festivals in Taiwan, Russia, Boston, Memphis, and, of course, the Midwest! In collaboration with From the Roots, Impromptu received a 2021 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Pop Song for their single "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie. He sends good vibes to all of the groups tonight. Put your best foot forward and remember to always have fun!

Peter Sepulveda currently teaches choir and IB Music at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. Before moving to Indiana, he taught at McKay High School in Salem, Ore. At McKay, he directed vocal ensembles that placed at State Festivals and even led Scots-Appella to place at ICHSA Finals in New York City. During his time at St. Olaf College, Peter performed with the St. Olaf Choir and The Limestones a cappella group, arranging and singing on their studio album, Down to Earth. Peter continues to serve the choral community as an educator, collaborator, and adjudicator, bringing his experience, musical insight, and dedication to every ensemble he works with. He enjoys seeing the creativity, passion, and hard work from every group at Varsity Vocals events and is honored to serve as a judge for tonight’s show!

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Brian Long and the Warren Central High School Staff and community, James Bailey, and Jaykob Archer; 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 Midwest 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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