Melica, Elizabethtown College’s all-female a capella group, will be attending The 2025 Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) competition for the second consecutive year.
ICCAs is a competition where college a capella groups compete to become international a capella champions. The competition is run by Varsity Vocals, an organization that puts on high school and collegiate a capella competitions, concerts, and conferences. This is the 29th season of ICCAs, where groups perform for a panel of judges who judge and rate their performance. An award ceremony concludes the competition in which specific awards are handed out, and the top two groups who will advance are announced.
According to the Varsity Vocals website, there will be more than 7,200 performers in more than 445 groups from across the world competing this year.
There are nine separate regions in which competitions will be held. All of the regions have a traditional quarterfinal and semifinal structure beginning in late January and continuing throughout March.
Melica is a part of the Mid-Atlantic region, and their quarterfinal will take place on Feb. 15at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Melica will be competing against nine other acapella groups.
“I’m extremely excited to go back to ICCAs again,” Melica Vice President Chelsea Masciolisaid.We had so much fun last year, and we have learned a lot in terms of preparation and technique.”
At ICCAs in 2024, all of the groups competing spent a majority of the day together. The order of the show was decided randomly, as one member from each group picked a number out of a hat to determine the order. Groups had time to rehearse and have a dress rehearsal of their performance.
“I am just so thrilled that we have this opportunity to compete again. I am so proud of all the ladies in this group for how hard they have worked!”Melica ICCA chair Kira-Marie McClure said.
McClure is in charge of all communication with Varsity Vocals and the competition. She also largely helped with an audition video that Melica had to submit in the fall semester. Each group who is looking to compete has to send in an audition video.
Melica’s members decided on the theme of “women empowerment and revolution.” Each of the songs in the set was chosen with this theme and image in mind. Songs include a portion of “TUNNEL VISION” by Melanie Martinez, “Control” by Halsey, “you should see me in a crown” by Billie Eilish, “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo, and “goodbye” by Billie Eilish. Each song must be sung a capella, with vocal percussion allowed. The entire performance has to be within ten minutes. Performances also include movement and dance.
“It’s basically like Pitch Perfect, but without the throwing up and chaos,” McClure said.
For some Melica members, this will be their final chance to compete in this competition.
““Melica has been such an amazing and important part of my life for the past year and a half, and so I am so incredibly grateful that we have the chance to compete again,” Melica president and senior Marlaena Ciabattoni said.
Any student can attend the ICCAs performance in Baltimore. Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased online. Students are also invited to come and see Melica perform on campus. This Saturday, Melica will be performing at a combo show hosted at Millersville, called “Vox Rox,” and on Feb. 1, Melica will host their show, Girls Night Out. The event will be held in Leffler Chapel and Performing Arts Center.
“We are so excited, proud, and grateful to be performing at this competition. We of course would love to win, but just getting the chance to compete is amazing!” Ciabattoni said.
Students can keep up with Melica online by following them at @etownmelica on Instagram. Best of luck to the ladies of Melica at ICCAS!
