2026 ICCA South Quarterfinal @ The Carolina Theatre

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 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL

The Carolina Theatre
Saturday, February 21st, 2026

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 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

Acappology is NC State University's premier mixed-voice a cappella group, established in 1994. Acappology is known for being inclusive and joining voices from all different backgrounds with a variety of majors. Whether arranged collaboratively or by individual group members, their songs stay true to the group’s intricate aesthetic. Always evolving, each Acappology performance explores various music styles and imaginative blends. They love to record in the studio and share their music on streaming platforms, including a new EP that they plan to record soon! Acappology has been competing in ICCA for a long time and loves the opportunity to meet groups outside their region and make new connections through music.

Carolina Sound is new to the ICCA family and super excited to be part of it! Representing the University of Mouth Olive, the group has been singing and touring since 2019. Founded by vocal duo Lester and Holly Rector, the group loves performing and being together, and especially the opportunity to impact other people’s lives the way music has impacted theirs!

Founded in 2020, Chordination is NC State's newest mixed-voice a cappella group! Chordination strives to create a supportive and fun environment that emphasizes community, diversity, and inclusion through their shared love of music. With three Quarterfinals victories and one 2nd place ranking, they are so excited for their sixth year of competition! They cannot wait to perform tonight and hope you enjoy the show!

Cockappella is the University of South Carolina’s premier all-gender a cappella group, bringing together passionate students from various majors to create powerful music. Since its founding, the group has become a staple of USC’s performing arts community and has facilitated lifelong friendships among its membership. Representing the Gamecock spirit both on and off campus, Cockappella performs at university events, community engagements, and concerts, while continuing to push the boundaries of contemporary a cappella. When they’re not competing or arranging new music, you might find them creating personalized birthday gram videos, because nothing says “happy birthday” quite like a custom serenade from your favorite a cappella group. With a lovable and laughable name, Cockappella delivers performances full of passion, precision, and personality. They are proud to share the joy of a cappella and the power of unity through harmony.

Founded in 1988 in Athens, Ga., Noteworthy is UGA's only all-treble a cappella ensemble. Each member is passionate about achieving vocal excellence. Throughout the years, Noteworthy has jumped to the top of collegiate charts with multiple selections on BOCA and nominations for Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). In 2013, Noteworthy received 3rd place at their ICCA Quarterfinal and won Outstanding Vocal Percussion. In 2017, Noteworthy received 2nd place, advancing to ICCA South Semifinals. Noteworthy continues to perform at various events around campus and the greater Athens community, spreading their love for music wherever they can!

Nothin’ But Treble, Georgia Tech’s premier upper-voice a cappella group, was founded in 1998 by Dipika Jain as part of the Georgia Tech A Cappella Club. The group includes various majors, from engineering and bology to STAC. The group typically includes 12 to 16 active members, ranging from freshmen to graduate students. All of the music in Nothin’ But Treble’s growing repertoire is arranged by current or former members of the group. They cover a wide variety of musical genres, including pop, jazz, 80s, and more! They rehearse twice a week and perform for all kinds of events, such as an Elite 8 March Madness game, the Variety Playhouse in Little 5 Points, and College of Management events. They have also opened for Nappy Roots, Bubba Sparxxx, and Crime Mob, and perform annually at Georgia Tech's commencement, sports games, and philanthropy events. Nothin' but Treble has competed in the ICCA numerous times, most recently in spring 2023.

The Tar Heel Voices (THV) is UNC Chapel Hill's oldest all-gender a cappella group, founded in 1988. With 16 hearts and one voice, the group has participated in the ICCA for many years. Their recent accolades include earning 2nd place and Outstanding Arrangement at ICCA Quarterfinals in 2024, Outstanding Soloist at ICCA Quarterfinals in 2025, and a 2025 CARA nomination for Best Live Solo Performance. THV has a large role in Carolina's music scene, from singing at UNC Athletics Games and University Day Celebrations, to performing at the Late Night with Governor Roy with the 2017 National Championship Banner. THV loves creating great music and sharing it with the Carolina community and beyond!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Parker Burrows is a former member and music director of Amazin’ Blue at the University of Michigan. While in the group, he competed in ICCA events at all levels, including Quarterfinals, Semifinals, a Wildcard win, and a Finals appearance. He also led the group in recording and assisted with editing, mixing, and mastering their studio album, Retrofit, and competed with them in BostonSings (BOSS). Parker has written multiple arrangements during his time in the group and post-graduation. His time with Amazin’ Blue was an integral part of his college experience and he is excited to give back and support a new generation of amazing talent.

Brooks Jordan began singing a cappella in college with The North Carolina State Grains of Time. Each year he competed with them, The Grains made it to Semifinals and earned 1st place in Quarterfinals for his last two years. In Brooks’ senior year, he led the group to Japan to collaborate with the Japan A Cappella Association in an effort to understand different cultures through music. Workshopping with Japanese collegiate groups and performing for the United States ambassador are just a few accolades from this trip. Brooks serves on the CARAs board, and works with the production teams of festivals, such as SoJam and Boston Sings (BOSS). Brooks lives in Durham, N.C., where he works full time as a bio-pharmaceutical researcher.

Alex Madill attended North Carolina State University and was a member of The Grains of Time. During his time in the group, he served as music director and an arranger, winning an ICCA award for Outstanding Arrangement and leading the group to ICCA Semifinals. Alex has worked with high school and college groups across the state for years crafting winning, dominant sets for the ICHSA and ICCA circuits.

According to legend (i.e. her parents), Amy Pruitt was singing before she could talk. She fell in love with a cappella at age 9, when spontaneous harmonizing broke out at a cast party (she was playing a Cratchit child in a high school musical production of “Scrooge”). The summer before freshman year of high school, Amy began an unbroken streak of continuously singing in a cappella groups that would go on for the next 20 years. Highlights include busking with her high school group on the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland, during the Fringe Festival, and performing for a crowd of more than 20,000 at UNC’s Keenan Stadium for their 4th of July celebration. While in college at the University of Michigan, she arranged, performed, and competed in ICCA tournaments with Amazin’ Blue. Since then, Amy has sung with several professional a cappella groups, including Transit Vocal Band, Avante Vocal Jazz, and her current group, THEORY: the Vocal Experiment. Amy is honored to participate tonight in memory of her dear friend, Jim Diego.

While his experience with a cappella began as a member of Eight Beat Measure in 2005, Rick Thomas has been extremely active in the greater a cappella community since 2010. Over the years, he has served as the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America's (CASA) Program Manager of Awards, Director of Outreach for both CASA and the A Cappella Education Association, and a member of the SoJam production team. Additionally, Rick serves as a clinician for groups across the country and works as a producer and mix engineer with Richard Thomas Music.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank the Carolina Theatre staff for working so diligently to ensure this show happened; 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 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

#ICCA