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 UNITED KINGDOM QUARTERFINAL

Squire Performing Arts Centre
Sunday, February 8th, 2026

WE'RE SOCIAL

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

varsityvocals

@varsityvocals

Follow us @varsityvocals on Facebook and Instagram, and join the conversation using #ICCA

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

AbraCappella is a mixed-gender a cappella group from the University of Birmingham. This eclectic bunch represents various academic disciplines, from liberal arts to chemistry to computer science. Despite their different degrees, everyone in this close-knit group loves singing together, whether at a local pub, a rugby charity halftime show, or on the ICCA stage. This year is AbraCappella’s largest iteration, with returning performers and brand-new voices. The blend of fresh energy and experience has leveled up their sound and pushed them to work harder than ever. The group’s arrangers have elevated their set further, adding new textures and stylistic flair in an incredibly rewarding process. AbraCappella couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve created together. They hope you enjoy their set as much as they have loved bringing it to life. Get ready for some Abra magic! 

Aca-Pocalypse is a mixed group from the University of Nottingham. Last year, they celebrated their 10th year with a spectacular showcase, “Back and Better Than Ever,” and they’re thrilled to follow that up with their 10th ICCA. They have progressed to ICCA U.K. Semifinals for an impressive three years running and have also performed several highly-acclaimed and sold-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe, including “Double Treble” in collaboration with RadioOctave. They pride themselves in preserving a cappella skills by passing them down to new generations, from arranging music to vocal percussion. This philosophy helps Aca-Pocalypse maintain powerful sets, with tight harmonies, stunning choreography, and high-level vibes. Get ready for the group in green to bring you their signature blend of upbeat hits and gorgeous ballads that might make your mum cry! 

Meet Firecracappella (also known as the Firecrackers)! Lighting up the stage tonight in their white and red outfits, this mixed a cappella group hails from University of Nottingham. They’re here to bring the fire, spark, and an explosion of sound to the ICCA stage! The group is composed of students from across the globe, representing Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and the U.K. These firecrackers are united by a shared passion for music and the colour RED. 

The Leamingtones is Warwick's premier a cappella group and part of the No. 1 society on campus (alphabetically). Their recent highlights include placing 2nd in the Open A Cappella Competition (OAC) in 2024, winning three ICCA Quarterfinals in a row, and going on to place 2nd in the 2025 ICCA U.K. Semifinal. The Leamingtones love performing a wide range of music, from dance hits to pop classics, and were fortunate enough to tour the CROappella Festival in Croatia and meet the creator of “Pitch Perfect” himself! If you like what you hear, check them out on Spotify and join the million subscribers who follow The Leamingtones (collectively, including alumni) on YouTube. They hope you enjoy their set! 

RadioOctave is the longest established competitive group at the University of Nottingham. The group loves competing in the ICCA and has qualified for ICCA U.K. Semifinals four times. Currently in their 12th generation, this group specialises in pop music, but has also branched out to choral pieces (notably at the 2023 ICCA U.K. Semifinal!), rock, and musical theatre numbers! Over the last decade, they have performed at Nottingham Splendour Festival, pub gigs, radio, TV, and, of course, on campus in and around Nottingham. RadioOctave also travels around the country, performing at the Showcase of Northern A Cappella, Vocal Jam, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they had a sold-out week of shows in collaboration with Aca-Pocalypse in 2023! Last year, their Fringe theme was “Around the World,” with numbers such as “Vienna” and “Waterloo.” RadioOctave is a close-knit group, committed to having fun together on and offstage and creating their best sound possible! 

Representing the University of Leeds, The Songsmiths is currently in its 15th generation. Following their 2nd place result at last year's ICCA U.K. Quarterfinal, The Songsmiths are eager to return, with 11 newcomers out of their group of 16. As the only a cappella group in Leeds, The Songsmiths host an annual a cappella showcase, known as SNAC, where they kick off their performance season each year. This competition season, The Songsmiths are raring to go, hoping to outdo last year's performance (which is available to stream on all platforms), and make it to another U.K. Semifinal. Back and golder than ever, please give it up for The Songsmiths! 

Steelworks is the University of Sheffield’s premier a cappella group. Now entering their 10th generation, they are eager to bring their signature blend of stunning vocals, tight harmonies and unbeatable vibes back to the ICCA stage. Over the past year, Steelworks have been busy performing all over the country and produced their first-ever EP, After Dark, which is now available to stream everywhere! Dressed in their iconic silver and ready to shine, Steelworks is thrilled to bring their trademark energy and harmonies to the stage tonight. They hope you enjoy! 

Vox is the coolest a cappella group at the University of York, covering a wide range of musical genres, from pop to rock, and pretty much everything except classical. Vox gives every group member the chance to lead rehearsals and contribute to musical arrangements, making their performances full of personal flair and team spirit. They rehearse twice a week to hone their music and to spend time together. More than a choir, Vox is a community which values everyone’s input and artistry. This collaborative spirit shapes their eclectic repertoire and vibrant performances. This is their second year competing in the ICCA and they’re so excited to be back! 

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Aliak Bedirian is a singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator based in London. A lifelong music lover, she has extensive experience in various genres, including classical, rock, big band/jazz, electronic, and musical theatre. She has a B.A. in music from the University of Bristol, where she began her a cappella career with The Bristol Suspensions in 2014. In 2015, she became the group's co-musical director and co-founded the all-female group, Pitch Fight. With The Bristol Suspensions, she won Outstanding Arrangement at ICCA U.K. Quarterfinals, and the group earned the Champion title at Voice Festival U.K. in 2016. Since then, she has sung with the group VoCollective, which competed in the 2018 Varsity Vocals Open at Carnegie Hall. VoCollective has also performed at events and venues all over the U.K., including the "Voices of Jazz" concert as part of the 2019 London Jazz Festival, alongside the Swingles. Aliak is currently a composer in film and media, a keyboardist, and an educator. She keeps busy working on her own solo projects and performances, and arranging for singing groups, instrumental ensembles, and more. She continues to compose, perform, and teach music around the country. Aliak looks forward to seeing what the ICCA has in store this year.

Will Geraint Drake is an award-winning singer, arranger, and vocal director. A Durham University music graduate (M.A.), he earned four Outstanding Arrangement awards as a member and musical director of Northern Lights, with his work featured in consecutive ICCA Finals appearances in New York and on BOCA and Voices Only compilations. Will now works extensively with professional vocal ensembles, touring Europe with Elision (2025 Vokal.Total award winners) and undertaking session work for studio albums and podcasts with Enchord. An in-demand arranger and educator, Will regularly leads workshops and writes for projects across the U.K., U.S., and Canada. His collaborations include BBC One’s The One Show, Classic FM, Deutsche Welle, Broadway Goes A Cappella, the U.K. A Cappella Society, and London Youth Choirs. He currently serves as artistic director of the Open A cappella Competition. Follow @willgdrake to keep posted on Will's upcoming work. He is so excited to see tonight’s show and what each competitor brings to the stage!

Annie Winson was educated as a vocalist at Wells Cathedral School in Somerset, where she learned a range of music genres and was first introduced to singing with big bands. She continued to sing throughout university, performing with a collection of pop and soul bands, and occasionally as a classical soprano soloist. Annie attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where she heard a cappella music for the first time. A roommate encouraged her to audition for the all-female group, Vocal Motion, after hearing her sing around their apartment. Annie joined the group and sang with them for the duration of her time at UCSB. Annie has also worked as a professional vocalist. Whilst living in Singapore, she was able to return to her love of performing with big bands and jazz groups, singing with fantastic musicians at some of the biggest and most exciting venues in the country. 

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank Rachel Xuereb (Assistant Producer), Casey Lim (Production Assistant), James Dempsey (Sound Engineer), the University of Nottingham Moonlighters Big Band (Guest Act), and Jake Sauchella-Tice (MC); 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 United Kingdom 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!

#ICCA