On a recent Saturday afternoon, in a small performance space on the Upper West Side, eight college students filed on stage to pick numbers out of a basket.
A young woman leaned into the microphone.
“I’m Noor, I’m with the N’Harmonics,” she said, looking down. “And we’re number eight!”
Noor Hila’s teammates erupted in cheers – their a cappella group would be going last, closing the show at the night’s competition. It was the most coveted spot in the order.
In the world of college a cappella, there is only one tournament that matters – the Varsity Vocals International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella, or ICCA.
Founded in a college dorm room in 1996, the ICCA was made famous as the contest at the center of the “Pitch Perfect” movie franchise, in which the executive director of Varsity Vocals, Amanda Newman, had a cameo as a judge.
The competition is currently in the middle of its playoff season. Of the eight New York City colleges at that Upper West Side event, only two would advance to the semifinals in Boston on March 23. The winner there will compete in the final showdown – the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Finals – on April 27 at the Town Hall in Times Square.
‘This is their fraternity, this is their sorority’
There is no prize for winning the ICCA – no cash, no guest spot on “American Idol.”
What winners get is bragging rights, and a spotlight. The organizers said talent scouts keep an eye on the ICCA competitions.
Stars who have emerged from college a cappella groups include Sara Bareilles, John Legend and Art Garfunkel. Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms and Meryl Streep also sang on college teams.
But a cappella today is a far cry from the barbershop-style singers of yore. Groups now have coaches, choreographers, steam inhalers and VocalMist Portable Nebulizers to professionally clear their throat before taking the stage.
ICCA Director Dave Rabizadeh said that for many of the college competitors, a cappella is life…
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