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

ICHSA MID-ATLANTIC QUARTERFINAL

Cherry Hill East 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 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.

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.

 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 Indian Hills Bravados hail from Indian Hills High School, Oakland, N.J. The students range from grades 10 through 12 and love using their musical talents to spread joy! As a group, they strive to develop technical skills, professionalism, teamwork, and musicianship. Known for specializing in pop and classics, they began working on barbershop styles with their male voices last year! They perform accompanied selections, as well as original mashups and a cappella arrangements. Some of The Bravados’ previous numbers include “Walk A Mile,” “Mary Did You Know,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and “Hold Steady With the Gate.” The Bravados annually perform for the pre-show at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, in addition to tree-lighting ceremonies, memorial and veterans ceremonies, and 9/11 remembrance ceremonies, all in the town of Oakland!  Some group members also participate in the Bergen County Chorus, Regional Chorus, and All-State Mixed Chorus. 

The Havertunes is Haverford Township Senior High School's first and only entirely student-led, all-gender, SATB competitive a cappella group. They specialize in pop songs and showtunes, but are not bound to a specific style or genre of music. Although this is their first tournament, The Havertunes are all very excited to make a name for themselves in the national a cappella scene. They perform throughout their community, from school concerts to selective community venues, such as the Kelly Music Center in Havertown, Pa. The Havertunes bring unrivaled joy and enthusiasm to every performance and strive to spread their music to audiences of all ages. 

Mpulse, from Montville, N.J., is competing for their third consecutive year! They are so excited to be back on the ICHSA stage after winning Quarterfinals for the last two years. Mpulse believes that creating music offers incredible learning opportunities for the self and the world! 

Nowhere to Hide from Newport News, Va., is here to put a smile on your face! Only two years old, they've burst onto the scene with their party songs and rhythmic stylings. They participated in the SingStrong A Cappella Music Festival in New York last year and followed that up with a performance at the Virginia Music Educators Association Annual Conference. This is their first time at the ICHSA! 

Rebel Remix is Howell High School's varsity a cappella team. They compete annually in ICHSA and participate in various other festivals throughout the year. You can usually find Remix singing the national anthem at Howell's home football games and for other charity and community events. Rebel Remix is so grateful to be competing again at the ICHSA! You can follow them on Instagram @rebelremix.hhs! 

Rebelation is a junior varsity a cappella team from Howell High School. They're thrilled to be back at the ICHSA! In addition to competing each year, Rebelation performs at community events throughout the holiday season. Last year, they earned Outstanding Choreography at ICHSA Quarterfinals and they can't wait to share this year’s set. Follow them on Instagram at @rebelation_acappella! 

Reverb is one of two junior varsity a cappella teams at Howell High School. The team includes performers from all high school grades. They compete annually in the ICHSA and are excited to be back. You can follow them on Instagram at @reverb.acapella.hhs! With songs full of power and emotion, their 2026 set explores themes of betrayal and resilience. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy! 

The Spartones was founded in fall 2019 at Steinert High School in Hamilton, N.J., by their choir director, Mrs. Madelyn Seltzer. Since then, Spartones has become an unbreakable musical family. They take every opportunity to perform and are excited to be back at the ICHSA this year. In the past, they have performed at the National Jazz Fest and A Cappella at the Rock. They are the proud hosts of the annual Spartan A Cappella Showcase, which will celebrate its fourth year this spring. This is their sixth year competing in the ICHSA and they are so excited to share the stage with so many other great groups! Enjoy the show! 

Stay Tuned, from Cherry Hill East High School, has experienced wild success since its inception in 2012. In 2016, they were featured on an eight-week Lifetime docuseries, “Pitch Slapped,” where they were coached by Deke Sharon, famed music director and arranger of the “Pitch Perfect” franchise. Stay Tuned has performed at the Kimmel Center, Lincoln Financial Field, The Town Hall, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall alongside the cast of the “Pitch Perfect” movies. Most recently, Stay Tuned has competed in two ICHSA Finals competitions with top groups from across the nation in New York City. While Stay Tuned has enjoyed national success, sharing their love and passion for music with their local community of friends and supporters has always been their No. 1 priority. The members of Stay Tuned are thankful for every performance opportunity and strive to inspire and bring joy to their audiences.

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

A lifelong singer, Abby Armstrong was bitten by the a cappella bug in high school in 2006 and has been performing with and leading a cappella groups ever since. Abby is a proud alumna of The Brandeis Starving Artists, with whom she competed in three ICCA seasons, making it to the 2010 ICCA Northeast Semifinals as a featured soloist. Although she is unable to apply her musical theatre vocal training directly to her career in the corporate world, Abby is thrilled to have found post-collegiate a cappella groups to call home. Abby currently serves as president of The Graduates in Philadelphia (@thegraduatesphilly), where she sings as a mezzo, does vocal percussion, and arranges.

Abbie Jin is a Philadelphia-based singer, award-winning arranger, director, and educator. She began her musical training in classical piano and choral performance and joined Enharmonics A Cappella at the University of Arizona in 2021. As music director, she arranged, produced, and helped choreograph multiple competitive ICCA sets, including the group's 2024 ICCA Southwest Quarterfinal performance, which won Outstanding Choreography. Her arrangements have since earned Enharmonics a placement on Varsity Vocals' 2025 BOCA compilation album, as well as the first Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) nomination and win in the group's history. Throughout college, Abbie worked to bring music education to children in foster care and remains passionate about making music accessible to underserved communities. She continues to share her love for a cappella music as a singer and arranger with Project Philly, a local nonprofit dedicated to a cappella education and performance. Performing on the ICCA stage sparked her lifelong love for the art form and Abbie is excited to help make others' "Pitch Perfect" dreams come true!

Noah Manno is a passionate educator, musician, actor, and vocalist. In his college years, he was the music director, producer and arranger of Millersville's Chromatic. Under his leadership, Chromatic took home two ICCA Quarterfinal wins and a Semifinal 3rd place title. He also produced their track, "Stay," which was featured on BOCA. Noah currently teaches private music lessons and continues to perform in musical theatre productions throughout New Jersey. Noah loves the art of a cappella music and he is dedicated to empowering others and sharing a cappella with his community. 

Ruth Kowalski Manno (she/her) is a music teacher and the former president, choreographer, and social media coordinator for Chromatic at Millersville University. She has a Bachelor of Science in music education and a Bachelor of Arts in voice performance. During Ruth's time with Chromatic, the group earned 1st place at Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals in both 2021 and 2022. Under Ruth's direction, Chromatic went viral on TikTok, and released an EP, Technicolor, full album, Metamorphosis, and a music video on YouTube for their single, "Golden Hour." Ruth is currently working as a marketing coordinator for Cut Off Studios, a professional a cappella company. Ruth couldn't be more excited to be on the other side of the ICCA and watch some amazing groups perform!

Alex McKay is a vocalist, arranger, and music director based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. He has been performing since the age of 9, singing across the U.S. and Europe with ensembles such as the Richmond Symphony Chorus and the University of Michigan Chamber Choir, as well as state, regional, and national honors choirs. Alex earned his Bachelor of Music Arts in vocal performance from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where he studied with world-renowned operatic tenor, George Shirley. At Michigan, he served as the music director of Amazin' Blue A Cappella for three consecutive years, arranging and producing multiple award-winning ICCA sets. During his senior year, he was elected to the executive board of  the University of Michigan A Cappella Council, which oversees the nation’s largest collegiate a cappella community. Competing in ICCA was a highlight of Alex’s undergraduate experience and he is thrilled to continue his journey with Varsity Vocals!

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank The Cherry Hill East Principal, Leslie Walker, and the Cherry Hill East Administration for hosting this year's Quarterfinals; The Cherry Hill East Music Boosters for their support with concessions; the many East music students who graciously hosted our guests; Will Lam and  Connor Lausi, our lighting techs up in the lighting booth; 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 finishing groups at this event will advance to the 2026 ICHSA Mid-Atlantic 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!

#ICHSA