In the last decade, the art of a cappella has reached new heights in pop culture thanks to TV shows like “Glee” and “The Sing Off,” as well as the “Pitch Perfect” films. I was first exposed to a cappella thanks to the amazing and informative 90s game show, “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?”
Then, at Michigan State, I remember when the Spartan Dischords visited the sixth floor of Holmes Hall my freshman year and sang us a song in the hallway. My friends and I followed their roaming concert down each floor until they did a final performance in the lobby.
Another group at MSU, Capital Green, holds a special place in my heart. My sister-in-law, Lynn, was a member when she was at MSU; she and the group performed a song at my brother and Lynn’s wedding in 2012, and she also arranged a performance with the group at our baby shower for Stella in 2013. I have other friends who were members of Capital Green, including my friend Andrea Poole.
Andrea is an incredible singer (she sang Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” for karaoke on Mackinac Island and I’m still shook) and self-proclaimed lover of “organized nerd singing.” She walks the walk as well as sings the song, so to speak, thanks to her involvement with Varsity Vocals.
For over 20 years, Varsity Vocals has given singers in high school, college, and beyond the opportunity to compete and receive feedback, all while performing in venues around the world. According to their website, the Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) and The Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) are the only global tournaments that showcase the art of student a cappella.
As the ICHSA director since 2009, Andrea is an influential figure in the world of high school a cappella.
If you live in mid-Michigan and love a cappella, you can see all of the action first-hand with this weekend’s 2018 ICHSA and ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinals at Grand Ledge High School.
The ICHSA Great Lakes Quarterfinal is set for this Friday, February 23 from 7-10pm, and features groups from Brighton and Ann Arbor to Novi and even Port Clinton, Ohio. Click on the link for additional details and to purchase tickets. General admission tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for students with an ID.
The ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinal is scheduled for Saturday, February 24 from 7-10pm, featuring groups from MSU (including Capital Green) as well as groups from Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, and others. General admission tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for students with an ID.
The top three finishing groups in the ICHSA competition will go on to the Great Lakes Semifinal at Bowling Green High School. The top two groups in the ICCA competition will go on to compete at the Great Lakes Semifinal at Roosevelt University. The finals are held in New York City in April.
This weekend is a great opportunity to see some amazing a cappella right here in mid-Michigan!
Here’s a look at Capital Green’s performance from the ICCA Great Lakes Quarterfinals in 2017, to give you a taste of what you might see: