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SING! A Cappella Championship Finalists Announced

Written by Leroy Hyson II on . Posted in Blog/News. No Comments on SING! A Cappella Championship Finalists Announced

16 Groups from Across North America Will Compete in May

SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival today announced the
finalists for the SING! Canadian A Cappella Championships, taking place on Saturday, May 23
at 7 pm at Koerner Hall in the Telus Centre for Performance & Learning.273 Bloor Street West.
Tickets go on sale today at https://www.rcmusic.com/tickets/seats/438601
Following the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural competition, the event has
expanded to include more categories and singers. A total of 178 participants from 16 groups
from across Canada and the U.S. will battle it out in four divisions: High School,
Collegiate/University, Open, and Barbershop.
“Canadian A Cappella has been groundbreaking since the Nylons had the first Billboard a
cappella top 20 hit, and things are looking even brighter with this year’s amazing lineup of 16
finalists!”, said Deke Sharon, Music Director of the Pitch Perfect movies, and considered the
Father of Contemporary A Cappella. He will join esteemed judges Elaine Overholt and Mo
Field to award prizes with a total value of more than $10,000.
“We were thrilled to have so many outstanding groups apply to participate,” said SING! Toronto
General Manager J-M Erlendson. “That speaks to the broad interest in a cappella singing”.
Last year’s biggest winner, contemporary a cappella group Splüsh, took home First Place in the
Open category and the Audience Choice award. Madalen Tojicic, singer and co-leader of the
group, said, “It’s not an exaggeration to say that Splüsh wouldn’t exist without the SING!
Canadian A Cappella Championships. The competition allowed us to grow as artists in pursuit of
a common goal, receive excellent feedback from industry experts and share our debut
performance on a professional stage. We’re grateful to SING! for providing a platform for new
artists to share their talents and shine.”
This year’s Barbershops finalists are: All In (San Antonio and Austin, Texas); Firefly Quartet
(Toronto, ON); The ‘Loo Wops (Waterloo, ON); and Voices Unlimited (Burlington, ON).
Collegiate finalists are: Cal Jazz Choir (University of California, Berkeley); On That Note
(Toronto Metropolitan University); The Northwest Collective (University of British Columbia);
WIBI (York University). High School finalists are: Enter A Cappella (Newmarket, ON);
Iroquois Ridge Chamber Choir (Oakville, ON); RHHS Chamber Choir (Richmond Hill, ON);
Senator O’Connor Vocal Ensemble (North York, ON). Open Division finalists are: AV & The
Inner City (Edmonton, AB); Les 6-DS (Quebec City, QC); On Cue (Calgary, AB); and The
Counterfeit Sheep (Edmonton, AB).

Preliminary round judges were a cappella veterans: Kurt Sampson, Slaight Music SING! Toronto
Legacy Award recipient through the group Cadence; Jernie Millan, from New York Vocal
Collective; and bass singer Donovan Davis from international champions The Vocal Majority.
The 15 th annual SING! Toronto festival takes place from May 20 to June 1 throughout central
Toronto. Events include free and ticketed concerts, international headliners, the SING! Canadian
A Cappella Championships, SING! With Pride to launch Pride Toronto, interactive programs,
and a free online Business Summit. Full programming information for SING! 2026 is available
at www.singtoronto.com.

Just Sing Documentary Heads to Theaters This April

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The real-life Pitch Perfect story of USC’s SoCal VoCals is coming to the big screen

The a cappella world is getting its own documentary moment this spring. Just Sing, the acclaimed coming-of-age film following the University of Southern California’s SoCal VoCals, has just been picked up by Abramorama for North American theatrical release — and it’s opening just in time for ICCA Finals weekend.

The film follows a pivotal season with the SoCal VoCals, one of the country’s top collegiate a cappella groups, as they pursue a record-setting sixth ICCA title. With graduation looming and expectations high, the ensemble faces the pressure of competition alongside the uncertainty of what comes next. Directors Angelique Molina and Abraham Troen take an intimate approach, weaving together rehearsal footage, personal histories, and the emotional journey of young performers chasing something bigger than a trophy.

Abramorama will open the film on April 24th in New York City at the Quad Cinema and in Los Angeles at the Laemmle NoHo 7 for an Academy-qualifying run, followed by a wider platform release. The timing is no coincidence — the ICCA Finals take place the very next day, April 25th, at The Town Hall in New York City.

For a cappella fans, this is the film we’ve been waiting for. For everyone else, it just might be the one that changes how you think about vocal music entirely.

For more information visit justsingfilm.com.

Pentatonix Brings World Tour to Europe This Spring

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The Grammy-winning a cappella giants are heading across the Atlantic for a massive run of dates

Pentatonix fans in Europe have plenty to look forward to this spring, as the beloved vocal group has announced an extensive European tour running from early April through early May 2026.

The tour kicks off on April 7 in Hungary before sweeping through some of Europe’s most iconic venues. Highlights include back-to-back nights in Germany — spanning Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt — along with stops in Paris, Amsterdam, and a sold-out date in Cardiff. The run wraps up May 3 in Sweden, with a London O2 Arena show on April 26 rounding out the UK leg.

Adding to the excitement, Kirstin Maldonado said of the upcoming shows: “This show will be unlike anything we have done before and may even include some new music! It’s going to be a special experience that we are so excited to share together.”

For those who can’t make the European dates, Pentatonix also have Japan dates planned for August in Tokyo and Osaka, suggesting the world tour is far from over.

Tickets for all dates are available at ptxofficial.com. If Cardiff’s sold-out show is any indication, fans are advised not to wait.

2026 CARA’s Announced!

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The Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) has announced the nominees for the 2026 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs), celebrating an exceptional year of recorded achievement across the global a cappella community.

Each year, the CARAs recognize the albums, EPs, singles, and individual contributions that shape the sound of contemporary a cappella; and the 2026 nominees reflect a community that continues to evolve with confidence and creativity.

Genre categories once again showcase the remarkable range within the art form. Pop and Contemporary releases sit alongside Jazz, Barbershop, Classical, and World projects, illustrating how expansively a cappella artists are interpreting and redefining vocal music.

Behind many of these standout projects are the arrangers, producers, engineers, and mixers whose collaborative efforts elevate each release. Several familiar names appear across multiple categories, a testament to the interconnected and supportive nature of today’s recording community.

Scholastic ensembles also make a strong showing, earning recognition alongside professional and independent artists. The continued presence of high school and collegiate groups among the nominees speaks to the depth of talent being cultivated at every level of the art form.

To view the complete list of nominees, visit CASA.org. Winners will be announced later this year, with more details about the awards presentation coming soon.

Applications Open for the 2026 SING! Canadian A Cappella Championships

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Calling all a cappella groups! Applications are now open for the 2026 SING! Canadian A Cappella Championships, one of Canada’s premier showcases for unaccompanied vocal music.

Open to all a cappella groups and styles, the SING! Championships welcome ensembles from across the a cappella spectrum. The 2026 competition will feature four categories: High School, University/Collegiate, Barbershop (new this year!), and Open (including post-collegiate, semi-professional, professional, and other non-scholastic groups).

A panel of respected a cappella luminaries will review video submissions and select the groups invited to compete live in Toronto. Chosen ensembles will take the stage at the iconic Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall on May 23, 2026, as part of the SING! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival.

Competitors will vie for exciting prizes, including cash awards and professional recording sessions, while performing on one of Canada’s most prestigious concert stages.

The application process includes a one-time fee of $50 + tax per group, payable through the online application form. High school groups are exempt from the application fee, making it easier than ever for young ensembles to participate.

To learn more and submit your application, visit singtoronto.com/singchampionships. If you sing a cappella, this is your chance to be heard—don’t miss it.

CASA Announces the 2026 A Cappella Video Award Nominees

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The Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) has officially revealed the nominees for the 2026 A Cappella Video Awards, celebrating another standout year of artistry behind—and in front of—the camera in the global a cappella community.

This year’s nominees highlight not only exceptional performances, but the producers, engineers, editors, and creative teams whose fingerprints appear across multiple categories. Familiar names like Ed Boyer, Bill Hare, Eric Scholz, Carson Trautman, Connor Martin, Angela Ugolini, and Marwan Ayman are recognized repeatedly for their work in audio production, mixing, mastering, and video direction; underscoring the collaborative backbone of today’s most successful a cappella videos.

In the Outstanding Choreography / Staging category, visually bold entries such as “Wicked Medley” by Vocal Point (Brigham Young University) ft. Savannah Stevenson and “Flesh & Bone” by Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University) push movement and storytelling to the forefront. Meanwhile, Outstanding Collaborative Video celebrates ambitious efforts, including The Bass Gang’s “Ghostbusters” featuring Peter Hollens and the international partnership of “Heroes” by Rebel Bit featuring MAZE Voices.

Across multiple categories, productions like “Mind Gag” by hachajah and “山 In the Clouds” by Voco Novo earned repeated nominations, a testament to their creative reach and the teams behind them. From independent studios to long-standing production houses, the 2026 nominees reflect a thriving ecosystem where innovation is driven by collaboration and craft.

To check out the rest of the nominations visit CASA.org. Winners will be announced in the first quarter of 2026, with awards ceremony details coming soon.

Varsity Vocals Announces the Start of the 2026 ICCA and ICHSA Seasons

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Varsity Vocals is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) and International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) seasons, marking the return of two of the largest and most prestigious a cappella competitions in the world.

Each year, the ICCA and ICHSA bring together the most talented collegiate and high school a cappella groups to compete in regional rounds, culminating in championship finals that celebrate excellence in contemporary vocal performance. From innovative arrangements to show-stopping choreography, audiences can expect an unforgettable live music experience at every event.

Tickets are now on sale for select 2026 ICCA and ICHSA regional competitions. Fans can purchase tickets at varsityvocals.com, including access to the prestigious ICCA and ICHSA Finals, both taking place in New York City. With tickets historically selling out quickly, early purchase is strongly encouraged.

Please note that some ticket links may not yet be live. If you do not see your event’s ticket link available, be sure to check back soon as additional ticketing options will be released.

The 2026 ICCA and ICHSA seasons promise months of thrilling performances and the chance to see the future of a cappella take the stage live in communities worldwide.

Smoke Ring Sweeps Harmony Sweepstakes with Double Win

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The 2025 Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals came to a thrilling close with Smoke Ring taking home both the National Championship and the Audience Favorite award, marking a standout moment for the fast-rising New York–based quartet.

Formed in 2023, Smoke Ring has quickly become one of the most talked-about new groups in the barbershop and contemporary a cappella worlds. In just two years, they’ve made history as the first-ever mixed voice quartet to win the Barbershophttps://www.barbershop.org/ Harmony Society’s Mid-Atlantic District Championship, and later placed 9th in the world at their debut in the Society’s International Quartet Contest. Their signature blend of precision, warmth, and modern edge has cemented them as the highest-ranked mixed quartet in the world and now, the newest Harmony Sweepstakes champions.

Rounding out the night’s winners were Vocalight of Dayton, Ohio, who earned second place with their fresh, dynamic sound and modern take on a cappella performance. The newly reformed group, made up entirely of alumni from the renowned high school group Forte, continues to honor its roots while forging a new identity with tight harmonies and sleek pop sensibilities.

A tie for third place went to two powerhouse ensembles: the Bay Area’s Halfway to Midnight, a vibrant, mic’d-up collective known for their infectious mashups and decade-long run of high-energy performances; and Eugene, Oregon’s Verdant, a polished professional group whose lush, genre-blending arrangements and artistic storytelling have earned them acclaim across the Pacific Northwest.

This year’s Harmony Sweepstakes once again showcased the incredible diversity and creativity of the a cappella community—culminating in a night where a cappella excellence, vocal artistry, and community spirit took center stage.

Livestream Techapella’s A Cappella Showcase

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Acaville is now live streaming this year’s Techapella A Cappella Showcase in San Francisco. The Showcase will take place October 19, 2025 at 3pm PST. To purchase your livestream tickets to either watch live or watch the recording, visit Acaville.org/techapella.

For years Techapella has been known as an a cappella concert series, showcasing the best a cappella the tech industry has to offer. Techapella’s flagship event, the Techapella Showcase, brings together a cappella groups from tech companies all over the Bay Area for a vibrant, non-competitive concert. The showcase celebrates community and collaboration as performers unite to deliver high-energy sets featuring pop hits, jazz, choral ballads, and nostalgic throwbacks.

To learn more about Techapella, check out our very own Leroy Hyson II’s interview with Techapella’s Executive Director, Lindsay Alford here:

Musae Reimagines Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” in Live Music Video Performance

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Boston, MA — September 30, 2025 —The acclaimed all-female vocal band, Musae has unveiled a live a cappella rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s classic “Time After Time”, now streaming on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e4SDvELTj1w.

Musae, comprised of five internationally recognized vocalists, has long been known for their trailblazing work in contemporary a cappella. With a track record that includes appearances at international festivals, collaborations with leading artists, and recognition within the global a cappella community, Musae has established themselves as a powerhouse ensemble that continues to elevate and redefine vocal performance.

Their interpretation of “Time After Time” delivers a fresh, dynamic interpretation, intricate vocal textures, and an emotional depth that honors Lauper’s original while offering a fresh, modern perspective.

“This song is over forty years old, making it truly one of the songs we all keep going back to, time after time,” said Johanna Vinson of Musae. “We’re forever grateful for the opportunity to sing together. It can be hard to find the joy sometimes, but if you’re lost, you can look and you will find exactly what you need.”

The release underscores Musae’s commitment to celebrating the artistry of women in music and amplifying the possibilities of the human voice as both an instrument and a storytelling medium.

Watch Musae’s “Time After Time” here:
https://youtu.be/e4SDvELTj1w

About Musae
Musae is an all-female vocal collective whose members represent some of the most accomplished performers in contemporary a cappella. Since their founding, they have toured internationally, headlined festivals, and recorded groundbreaking music that pushes the boundaries of vocal artistry. Musae’s mission is to inspire, empower, and innovate within the vocal arts community, particularly as leaders and role models for women in music.