2025 ICHSA Northeast Quarterfinal @ Galvin Middle 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

ICHSA NORTHEAST QUARTERFINAL

Galvin Middle 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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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

In the heart of Belmont High School's vibrant musical landscape lies a hidden gem, tucked away by the toxic pond. Over the last four years, The Clay Pit Crooners have explored and fully embraced the power of a cappella music. With a special affinity for angsty pop songs, CPC loves making music and dancing in semicircles! Established in 2021, The Crooners started a tradition of hosting an Annual A Cappella Night in Belmont! Groups from other schools have joined them, including the critically acclaimed Tufts University Beelzebubs and The Northeastern University Nor'Easters. CPC has performed at the Wakefield Fall Fest for the past three years along with other local events throughout Belmont, such as PorchFest, Staff Recognition Day, and their own high school’sl POPS concert. The Clay Pit Crooners are thrilled to compete in their third ICHSA!

Counterpoint is Needham High School's only co-ed auditioned a cappella group, created in 2017! As their school's only all-voice group, Counterpoint enjoys singing in different styles, using each singer's unique voice to their advantage. Last year, they competed in ICHSA Quarterfinals and they are so excited to be back for their second year! Outside of rehearsals, they enjoy bonding through themed nights with punny names, including “Counternight-Moviepoint” and “Countercheese-Mac'n'point.”

Founded in 2016, The Crescendos evolved from an after-school treble choir into a contemporary a cappella group. They first entered the ICHSA in 2017 and have steadily advanced through the tournament ever since, progressing to Northeast Semifinals five times and earning special awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Vocal Percussion, and Choreography. In 2023, they earned 3rd place at NE Voices, 2nd place at ICHSA Northeast Semifinals, and 3rd place in the national Wild Card round. In 2024, they were named ICHSA Northeast Champions and attended ICHSA Finals in New York City.

The Jewel Tones, from Marblehead High School, is a co-ed a cappella crew powered by harmonies, hallway friendships, and the occasional rogue beatbox. They turn pop hits into magic using nothing but their voices and vibes, bringing big energy to every stage (and stairwell). They have been lighting up the ICHSA stage for many years and are thrilled to be back again!

Luminescence is Marblehead High School’s all-treble a cappella powerhouse. After placing 3rd in their 2025 ICHSA Northeast Quarterfinal, they’re back and ready to shine even brighter this year, with fresh arrangements, bold new choreography, and vibes for days.

The Newtones is Newton South’s one and only student-run co-ed a capella group, founded in 1998. They have participated annually in ICHSA for more than a decade, notably winning 1st place at the 2023 Northeast Quarterfinals. When they aren’t onstage, The Newtones can be found anywhere but Newton South. The Newtones also like to carol in the winter, collaborate with the school’s improv comedy group, and eat out at IHOP. Most of all, they love just hanging out together as a group of music-loving friends!

Soundscape is in its second year of competition, but their 30th year of having fun and sharing music with the community. They love to go caroling at senior citizens’ homes around the holidays and perform at local events. They had such a good time at last year’s ICHSA that they couldn’t help but come back for more.

Founded in 2014, The Thursdays evolved from a pre-existing jazz choir. They quickly and enthusiastically embraced contemporary a cappella, developing their skills in local festivals and collaborative events, including the NE Voices festival, earning many special awards over the years. In 2017 and 2018, they appeared on the PBS show, “Sing That Thing,” earning a 1st place ranking in 2018. This is the group’s 12th year competing in the ICHSA. During this stretch, The Thursdays have represented the Northeast region at Finals four times and won multiple special awards for their choreography, vocal percussion, and soloists. In 2025, they placed 2nd at ICHSA Northeast Semifinals.

Voices of Steel is the premier a cappella group at Wakefield Memorial High School and have been sharing their passion for music and performing since 2009. They love singing in stairwells and performing in their red Converse. They have participated in ICHSA since 2009, advancing to Semifinals several times and winning awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Choreography. They love sharing their music around the country and have performed in Memphis, Tenn., Orlando, Fla., and all over northeast Massachusetts. Voices of Steel wishes all of tonight’s groups the best of luck in their performances!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Emily “Em” Benjamin has been singing a cappella for nearly 15 years! Her collegiate years performing with University of Chicago’s Voices in Your Head saw many of the group's accomplishments, including two 2nd place finishes in the ICCA, the release of their award-winning album, Lights, and performing for President and First Lady Obama at the White House. Since college, Em has been active in the a cappella community as a singer, volunteer, music-director and producer. She served as music director for post-scholastic and grad school a cappella groups and recently made her musical theatre directorial debut with “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” at the Majestic Theatre in Manchester, N.H. She also worked as ICCA producer for the Northeast Region for four years. When not surrounded by music, Em works in clinical research and spends her free time exploring beautiful New Hampshire, where she lives with her fiancé, and their beagle, Flapjack.

An experienced arranger and music director, Andrew Cabatigan led The Northeastern University Unisons through multiple competition seasons of Boston Sings (BOSS) and ICCA. In his post-collegiate days, Andrew has enjoyed volunteering on the core BOSS team, where he continues facilitating enriching musical experiences for creative students.

Amy Malkoff is one of the producers of the Haunted Harmonies festival in Salem, Mass. She has served as the marketing director for the A Cappella Education Association, the media director of the Women's A Cappella Association (WACA), and on the board and as web content director for the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA). In addition to being a longtime ICHSA/ICCA judge, Amy is a certified judge for other vocal events, workshop teacher, master clinician, writer, designer, social media manager (www.amymalkoff.com), singer/songwriter, and studio musician. She currently works with professional a cappella group Ball In The House, as well as other artists. Since its inception, Amy ran and managed the New Hampshire-based performance venue Club Sandwich (Sandwich, N.H.), where celebrity John Davidson performs on weekends, along with a lineup of prominent artists. She was a founding member of the groups All About Buford and Deadline Poet, and has appeared onstage and in the studio with acts like Wayne Brady, Jonathan Brooke, The Persuasions, Ellis Paul, Vance Gilbert, GrooveLily, Patty Griffin, and Dar Williams. She has a degree in music from Kenyon College, with music studies at Youngstown State University and master’s-level coursework at the New England Conservatory of Music. Amy's music has appeared on the Rounder Records and Hear Music/Starbucks labels. Follow @amalkoff on all platforms.

Dr. Kevin McDonald is the Director of Choral Music at Wellesley High School, Conductor of the Chorus of Tenors and Basses at the Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses, and Director of Youth Music at Wellesley Village Church. Kevin received his B.M. in music education from the University of New Hampshire, where he sang with New Hampshire Gentlemen, his M.M. in low brass performance from the University of Idaho, and his D.M.A. in music education with a choral conducting emphasis from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. Kevin is a longtime a cappella enthusiast and is currently in his 19th year at Wellesley High School where he teaches and conducts five curricular choirs and advises a flourishing a cappella program consisting of four extracurricular a cappella groups: WHS Renegade, Ladies First, A Cappella Anonymous, and Inchordination. Kevin is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. Kevin has 25 years of service as an adjudicator, having adjudicated The Great East Music Festival, the Heritage Choral Festival, Trills and Thrills Festival, and various district and all state music festival auditions in the New England area. He consistently presents workshops and clinics at all state and regional conferences to collegiate NAfME chapters and at ACDA conferences.

SPECIAL THANKS

Varsity Vocals would like to recognize and thank 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 Northeast 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

#ICHSA