2025 ICCA Southwest Quarterfinal @ MacArthur 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 SOUTHWEST QUARTERFINAL

MacArthur High School
Saturday, January 31st 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

Beauties and the Beat is a gender-inclusive treble a cappella group at the University of Texas at Austin. Founded in 2013, Beauties has quickly grown in the years since, performing all around the Austin area and competing throughout the United States. Most of their repertoire is arranged by Beauties members and the group prides itself on having lots of member input for competition sets.

Empire A Cappella is an all-inclusive, mixed pop a cappella ensemble based out of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Founded in fall 2019, the group is incredibly active in the pop a cappella scene. Empire performs live around Lubbock for community events, holiday events, and outreach performances in the surrounding area. This diverse group of musicians is dedicated to creating a clean, full, dynamic sound. Beyond the music, Empire A Cappella works to build a close-knit family that can support its members through all aspects of student life.

Final Measure is one of the only student-led and founded a cappella groups in the city of Houston! This four-year-old group has already won numerous ICCA awards, from Outstanding Soloist to Outstanding Vocal Percussion. They keep it balanced, working hard together to build up their a cappella knowledge and having lots of fun along the way. In every performance, Final Measure aims to share their artistry and tell a story to their audience.

HardChord DynaMix is Texas A&M University's co-ed contemporary a cappella group! They are the reigning ICCA Southwest Quarterfinal Champions and excited to compete again this year. HardChord includes A&M students from various areas of study, including pre-med, life sciences, and business, but no actual music majors! From singing Christmas carols to performing at University events, this group loves making music and memories together. They've been competing in ICCA for close to a decade and getting to travel and compete together for ICCA is always their favorite part of the year! This year, they plan to turn music on its head through a "Defying Genres" set, hopefully providing a brand-new way to enjoy a cappella music!

Noteworthy is the University of Texas at Austin’s premier co-ed competitive a cappella group. Established in 2014, the group prides itself on completely student-led arrangements that display music’s ability to unite everyone, no matter their background. With no genre too niche, Noteworthy sings everything, from rock to pop to R&B. Their discography of arrangements is as diverse as the group’s membership. Noteworthy’s mission is to highlight the unique voices across various majors on UT Austin’s campus and the group’s 15 members represent STEM, liberal arts, business, communications, and only two active music majors. Longhorn pride runs through Noteworthy, and each member’s creativity and passion comes together to build a tight-knit family.

Novis A Cappella has been delighting students and staff at the University of Texas at Dallas with captivating vocal performances for nearly two decades. Established in 2009, the group was founded on a shared passion for music and a desire to create a welcoming space for singers from diverse backgrounds. Over the years, Novis has grown into one of UTD’s most recognized student organizations, known for its commitment to musical excellence, creativity, and community. The ensemble performs a wide ranging repertoire, from contemporary pop and indie hits to soulful ballads and cultural fusion pieces, arranged entirely for their voices. Each performance showcases the unique talents of its members, who dedicate hours each week to rehearsals, blending harmonies and refining their craft. Beyond the music, Novis strongly emphasizes friendship, collaboration, and the joy of making music together. This year marks an exciting new chapter as Novis moves away from its traditional semesterly concerts and prepares to enter the world of a cappella competitions. With renewed passion, a talented roster, and a drive to share their sound with wider audiences, Novis continues to embody the spirit of artistry, teamwork, and innovation at UT Dallas.

RISE A Cappella is the only pop/R&B group at University of Texas at Arlington. This year, the group could not be more excited for their 10-year anniversary. This diverse group includes students from various majors and backgrounds, who come together to celebrate their shared love of music. RISE has competed in all levels of the ICCA, from Quarterfinals and Semifinals, all the way to Finals, and can be found performing throughout the year all around the DFW area.

Star Struck is a dynamic, co-ed a cappella group based at the University of Houston. This student-led group is composed of 15 outstanding performers from diverse backgrounds and majors. Many of them bring previous experience in the competitive a cappella world and have had the opportunity to work with renowned a cappella professionals. Star Struck was created in 2025 for passionate musicians to infuse their unique artistry and complex arrangemnts into high-energy pop performances. They draw inspiration from their favorite artists, representing pop, R&B, and rock genres, and hope to channel that spirit onstage. Star Struck also strives to offer a creative and social outlet for its members and build a tight-knit, encouraging community. Outside of rehearsal, some of the group's favorite traditions include game nights and family dinners. This fierce group is ready to embrace competitions, festivals, road trips, and hosting performances on campus. Some of their goals this year include recording, collaboration, and an end-of-year trip. Star Struck cannot wait for the future ahead, beginning with their 2026 ICCA debut.

Trillium A Cappella is an award-winning, student-led ensemble based in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. The group’s 10 members represent various backgrounds and have built a familal and creative environment together. Since its creation in 2022, Trillium has had many opportunities to perform both locally and out of state. In addition to outreach events and numerous performances at local care homes, they have already made a name for themselves in the competitive a cappella scene. Some of their most notable performances include their VoiceJam 2023 and 2024 sets, where they placed 2nd and won Outstanding Choreography both years, and their 2024 ICCA debut, where they advanced to the Semifinals in Arizona. Beyond live performances, Trillium has also begun making their mark in the studio. They released their debut single, "Bet U Wanna," in 2023, to all major platforms, and their first EP is set for release this year. Looking ahead, the group is excited to continue growing through competitions, community performances, and new projects. Follow their journey on Instagram at @trillium.aca. This will be their second ICCA appearance and they can’t wait to see where it takes them!

Baylor VirtuOSO is the premier contemporary vocal ensemble of Baylor University, showcasing the dynamic intersection of jazz, pop, and a cappella artistry. Under the direction of Professor Reginal Wright, VirtuOSO explores a wide range of vocal styles, from swinging jazz standards and soulful gospel to fresh arrangements of today’s chart-topping hits. Rooted in the tradition of vocal excellence, the ensemble emphasizes musicianship, creativity, and collaboration. Members of VirtuOSO are selected through competitive auditions and represent some of Baylor’s most versatile and skilled student musicians. In addition to their strong voice, each singer contributes their dedication to crafting a unified, expressive sound. VirtuOSO performs regularly on campus and in the Waco community, engaging audiences through innovative performances that blend sophisticated harmonies with rhythmic vitality and emotional depth. The group also maintains an active digital presence, producing creative social media content and video projects that share their music with a broader audience. Whether performing classic arrangements inspired by groups like New York Voices and Take 6, or original reimaginings of modern favorites, Baylor VirtuOSO embodies the spirit of excellence, artistry, and joy that defines Baylor’s School of Music.

GUEST PERFORMERS

Aperture is the JV contemporary a cappella ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas, currently under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez. The oldest JV a cappella group in Texas, Aperture was founded in 2013 to invite more people in the MacArthur community into the world of a cappella. On April 14, 2022, they debuted their first single (and music video!) on all music platforms, “Secret for the Mad,” originally performed by Dodie. In 2022, Aperture performed at the OneVoice A Cappella Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. In 2023, they competed for the very first time and reached the ICHSA Quarterfinals.

IRIS, formerly known as The Iris Bulbs, is the varsity contemporary a cappella treble ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2023, they are under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez. They were selected to perform in the 2024 and 2025 Acatex Prelims and are excited to compete in ICHSA for the first time this year. In 2024, they were invited to Shellshock Records Studio, the studio of award-winning Tejano singer-songwriter and UTSA Artist-in-Residence, Shelly Lares. On November 1, 2024, they debuted their first single on all music platforms, “Ocean Eyes,” originally performed by Billie Eilish.

PFC is the varsity contemporary a cappella mixed ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas. Currently under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez, they were named the 2011 ICHSA National Champions, and 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2020 ICHSA Finalists. In 2019, they professionally recorded "High Hopes," which was retweeted and shared by the original artist, Panic! at the Disco. Currently, "High Hopes" has over 250K views on YouTube and Facebook, and won Best High School Video from the A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs) in 2020. In 2024, PFC was chosen as a Top 8 International Finalist Competitor at VoiceJam in Fayetteville, Ark. They were selected to perform in the 2024 and 2025 Acatex Prelims, and are excited to return to ICHSA this year.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Destinee Feliciano began her a cappella journey in DeKalb High School's mixed a cappella group Enharmonic Fusion, with whom she had the privilege of competing in ICHSA all four years, advancing to Finals in 2015, 2016, and 2017. After high school, she joined UIUC's No Comment and served as co-music director, arranging 12 songs for the group. Her music was included in their appearances at ICCA, taking the group to 1st place finishes and Semifinal appearances each time they competed. Destinee has a degree in music education from the University of Illinois and now is a music educator at Garden Hills Academy in Central Illinois.

Adrian Fernandez is a Bolivian-American violinist with a sweet spot for singing. After singing in choir and musicals, he joined his high school’s student-run a cappella group, Out of The Blue. He matriculated to Chapman University, where he received a B.M. in violin performance and joined the award-winning a cappella group, The ChapTones, serving as assistant music director and music director during his tenure. Highlights with The ChapTones include leading the group to multiple placements at ICCA Semifinals, performing with and for Billie Eilish, Chance the Rapper, Dan + Shay, John Legend, Finneas, and Reba McEntire, and traveling to perform around the West Coast. Adrian is currently working toward a Master of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and teaches private lessons.

Anna Gann has been a Texas choral director for over 21 years and now is a voice teacher in the San Antonio area. She has a degree in vocal performance from Lubbock Christian University and an M.S. in music/choral conducting from UTSA. She was involved in a cappella groups during college, including Sweet Adelines. Anna also was the co-director for MacArthur's a cappella group, PFC, for the last six years, leading the group to ICHSA Southwest Semifinals twice and once to Finals in New York. Anna has been judging for Varsity Vocals and serving as a clinician for a cappella groups for over 10 years, and is excited to continue being part of this community. The joys of her life are her two kids, Chandler and Ella.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank the MacArthur High School administration, MacArthur High School Fine Arts Department, MacArthur Custodial Staff, NEPD, Mac Choir Parent Boosters, Mac Choir Alum and all Mac Volunteers; 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 Southwest 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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