2025 ICHSA Southwest Quarterfinal @ Belton 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

ICHSA SOUTHWEST QUARTERFINAL

Belton High School
Saturday, February 21st, 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

Harmony is the treble show choir at Belton High School. This auditioned ensemble performs regularly for the school and community and attended AcaTex for the first time this past December. This is their second year to compete in the ICHSA and they are ready to take on another year of competition!

IRIS is the varsity contemporary a cappella treble ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio. Under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez, the group was formed in 2023. IRIS takes pride in spotlighting San Antonio music and culture. In 2024, they were selected to perform in the 2024 AcaTex Prelims, marking their competitive debut. That same year, the group was also invited to Shellshock Records Studio, the studio of award-winning Tejano singer-songwriter and UTSA Artist-in-Residence, Shelly Lares. In November 2024, they released their first single on all music platforms, “Ocean Eyes,” originally performed by Billie Eilish. They have also performed as a host group for the ICCA Southwest Quarterfinals and as a guest artist at the 2025 Port Washington High School Acapacolypse Festival in Port Washington, Wis.

Iron Maidens is a treble a cappella ensemble from Harker Heights High School in Killeen ISD, composed of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Each of the group’s 14 members brings a kind and beautiful soul, seven of whom are brand-new to contemporary a cappella this year. Along with their fellow HHHS mixed a cappella counterparts, Pitch Black, Iron Maidens released their debut album, We Are, in May 2024. They were also honored to have their track, “When the Party’s Over,” arranged by Katherine Bodor, featured on the 2025 BOHSA compilation album. We Are was also the Runner-Up for Best Scholastic Debut Album at the 2025 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). The Iron Maidens are excited to return to the ICHSA stage after a five-year hiatus. Donning their signature emblem of the Butterfly, they acknowledge the traditions of Iron Maidens past, and embrace its symbolism of hope, transformation, and new beginnings.

Madison Avenue hails from San Antonio and is ready to be back in the ICHSA game. For four years, they have made massive vocal strides and have come a long way from where they started. For a majority of the year, Madison is a student-led group and they can't wait to show off what they have accomplished.

Madrigal is the varsity mixed show choir at Belton High School. This auditioned ensemble performs throughout their school and community and attended their first AcaTex this past December. This is their sixth year competing at ICHSA. In 2024, they were awarded 3rd place at the Southwest Semifinals. Madrigal is excited to show you their 2026 ICHSA set!

Mane Attraction is a talented 18-member mixed contemporary group from Sachse High School. This dynamic group of singers represents some of the finest student leaders on campus. Mane Attraction includes award-winning swimmers, golfers, football players, track stars, tennis players, and student council members, who come together as one to make beautiful music. In its fourth year of competition, these Mustangs know how to love like siblings, fight like siblings, and at the end of the day, celebrate as one fantastic family. In 2025, they placed 1st in their ICHSA Southwest Quarterfinal and 3rd at Semifinals. Get ready for a wild and joyful ride with the amazing Mane Attraction!

PFC is the varsity contemporary a cappella mixed ensemble from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, under the direction of Christopher Cross and Kimberly Mendez. They were the 2011 ICHSA Champions and ICHSA Finalists in 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2020. In 2019, they recorded a cover of “High Hopes,” which was retweeted and shared by the original artist, Panic! at the Disco. Currently, “High Hopes" has over 250,000 views on YouTube and Facebook and won Best High School Video at 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., and was the only high school group invited to compete against a cappella ensembles from colleges across the nation. At VoiceJam, PFC received the opportunity to network and masterclass with music industry professionals, such as Deke Sharon (music producer of the “Pitch Perfect" films and NBC’s “The Sing-Off"), and Grammy and Dove Award-winning artists, Take 6. They were also selected to perform in the 2024 Acatex Prelim, as a headliner host group for ICCA Quarterfinals, and as a guest artist at the 2025 Port Washington High School Acapacolypse Festival in Port Washington, Wis.

Pitch Black is a mixed a cappella ensemble from Harker Heights High School in Killeen ISD in central Texas. With a repertoire of contemporary a cappella music, traditional chamber music, and musical theatre, Pitch Black strives to connect with and entertain every audience. Along with their sister group, The Iron Maidens, Pitch Black released their debut album, We Are, in May 2024. The group was very fortunate to have their rendition of “Eleanor Rigby,” arranged by Katherine Bodor, featured on the 2025 BOHSA compilation album. It has been almost five years since Pitch Black participated in ICHSA, but they are ready to share the stage with some of the best a cappella ensembles in the state of Texas.

Spur of the Moment is a 17-member treble group with tons of talent! Truly “the moment,” this group ranges from freshmen through seniors who come together to make amazing music! In its fourth year of competition, these Mustangs know how to perform and leave it all on the stage! They placed 3rd at the 2025 ICHSA Southwest Quarterfinals. They have competed at AcaTex and are excited to enter their third ICHSA season! Get ready for a wild and joyful ride with the amazing Spur of the Moment from Sachse High School!

Vocal Legacy is the premier contemporary a cappella group at Bryan High School. The group members are involved in various other school activities, but share a love for singing and performing. They hope you enjoy their 2026 ICHSA set!

TONIGHT'S JUDGES

Reid Akers is a former member of the Texas a cappella scene who has competed in ICCA and in the Open. He served as the president of Texas A&M's HardChord DynaMix, with whom he won Outstanding Choreography awards in both ICCA and the Open. Under his leadership, HardChord DynaMix advanced to the Wildcard round for the first time ever in both ICCA and the Open. Reid arranged during his tenure in collegiate a cappella and conducted multiple workshops for other collegiate a cappella groups. He sang in a post-collegiate a cappella group, 908, which opened for the SING! Texas scholastic competition. He regularly sings in his church choir and is extremely excited to be back in the a cappella scene as a judge.

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.

Logan Willson began his career with Baylor VirtuOSO as a beatboxer, winning his first ICCA Quarterfinal and receiving the Outstanding Vocal Percussion award on his first competitive outing. He spent the rest of his career at Baylor growing the group's reputation and legacy on campus. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he transferred to UTA to complete his degree,. There, he worked with RISE A Cappella in their competitive comeback and led them to be the highest placing group in Texas for the 2023 season. Outside of his collegiate experience, Logan has worked as a music clinician and beatboxing coach for both high school and collegiate groups.

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 three finishing groups at this event will advance to the 2026 ICHSA 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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