Showtime at the Rococo, UNL a cappella groups to battle at ICCAs

Pitch Please poses at the ICCA Quarterfinals at the Bourbon Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Alix Robinson

The lights will be rising on 10 a cappella groups Saturday evening as they sing their hearts out in a battle to be named the best. 

The Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Southwest Quarterfinal will take place at Lincoln’s Rococo Theatre on Feb. 1. 

Five University of Nebraska-Lincoln a cappella groups will be competing: Bathtub Dogs, Boots & Cats, Pitch Please,The Red Keys and Take Note. Other competing groups come from Butler Community College, Iowa State University, University of Iowa and Wichita State University. 

“It's basically like seeing ‘Pitch Perfect’ in real life,” Alaina Wegner, Southwest ICCA producer, said. “‘Pitch Perfect’ was based off of these competitions… I think it's really awesome that we get to see students who would normally not be able to perform in such a professional space, get to do that and share their music with a wider audience of people who would usually not see them.” 

Collegiate a cappella groups have to be selected to be a part of the ICCAs. Groups submit a video audition prior to the competition.

“It's a lot of pressure. You only get one chance to do it, so we want to be extra prepared,” Evelyn Allison, a junior interior design major and Vice President of The Red Keys, said. 

The Red Keys started their ICCA prep in the summer, starting by finding what music they were going to sing. The group then arranged their own music and held “boot camp” rehearsals that lasted eight hours, Allison said. 

“We've been able to hone in that sort of — ‘We need to focus. We’ve got to get ready. This is a competition. This is serious.’ — without losing the kind of fun-loving nature that we have as an a cappella group,” Gavin Moore, a freshman graphic design major and bass in The Red Keys, said.

The international competition takes place from January through April, set up in a bracket system, with quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. There are nine regions, with three to five quarterfinals per region.

“The audience is usually really excited to be there,” Wegner said. “People travel from all over to come to these shows, and it's just a super special time to get everyone together in one room who love a cappella or love music in some capacity, and are there to support each other and learn from each other and have this performance opportunity.”

Last year’s ICCAs were hosted at the Bourbon Theatre. Tonal Eclipse from Oklahoma City University took first, and Bathtub Dogs took second. This year will be the first time the competition will be hosted at the Rococo.

“I'm excited to actually get on stage and really be in that moment,” Moore said. “It's going to be my first time doing anything like this. Seeing everything, all the work we've done, (will) pay off in the end.”

Each group has 10 minutes to perform their set. Awards will be given to the group with the best vocal percussion, best soloist, best arrangements and best choreography, in addition to the team placements. 

“Since I'm one of the soloists for the songs, I'm excited to put myself out there and (to) be brave,” Allison said. “In a sense, (to) just get it over with, but also put my best foot forward and do the best I can.”  

The top two finishing groups of the evening will advance to the ICCA Southwest Semifinal on March 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona. From there, the first place group will compete in the finals in New York City. 

“Everybody will be there at the Rococo Theatre, right next to campus. It's a five minute walk. What are you waiting for? Buy tickets. It’s going to be super awesome,” Moore said. 

Saturday’s show will run from 7-10 p.m. Tickets for first and second floors have already sold out, but third floor general admission tickets are still available for purchase here. 

Published in the Daily Nebraskan, read here.