Some groups win. Some groups lose. Some groups win a lot. Then, there's the mythical Nor'Easters set from 2013.

The Northeastern University group won every competition it entered four years ago: SoJam X (along with Best Arrangement and Best Vocal Percussion); the CARA for Best Mixed Collegiate Album, Best Arrangement, and Best Solo; every round of the ICCA (with numerous Soloist and Arrangement awards); and ultimately the ICCA Finals.

Northeastern University Nor'Easters 2013 Competition Set

So, how did this happen?

Nor'Easters music director and arranger Shams Ahmed had this to say:

On Strategy:

"In the 2012-2013 school year we were very motivated to perform well because of the previous year's second-place placements at almost all major competitions: BOSS, ICCA Northeast Semifinals, ICCA Wild Card -- all second place. We had to rebuild our women's section. Adding four girls into the group was a major challenge, because it required a lot of musical work as well as general conditioning to stay motivated throughout the whole competition season.

"Luckily, we competed and won SoJam X at the beginning of the school year, which really locked in our new group members' focus. A steady schedule of rehearsals and a set change between quarterfinals and semifinals kept us sharp."

On Highlighting Strengths:

"It is always a goal of mine to highlight the strengths and minimize the weaknesses for a cappella groups. The 2013 Nor'easters were no exception. We examined our singers and their unique talents through every step of the way. During the fall semester, we accidentally discovered that one member, Rob Ohman, could produce a really lifelike vocal violin sound -- so naturally we pounced on the opportunity to use it in competition.

"Aside from specific vocal techniques, we also tried to continuously sharpen our blade by enhancing people's background parts to better align with their innate vocal strengths. For example: a singer with a naturally 'pingy' voice and high rhythmic accuracy might get a rhythmically complex line that needs to be highlighted in the soundscape."

On Momentum:

"Keep things fresh for your members. Allowing them to see their progress and the fruits of their labor. Smaller victories along the way keep you going. Another note: 2013 was also the year of the tragic Boston Marathon bombing, which greatly affected our group and our ICCA journey.

"Just a few days before our trip to NYC, the bombing shook our whole city to the core. Some of us had friends and family running in the race, so it was particularly horrifying. Our buses and trains were cancelled and the city was on lockdown. But, through the immense support of the whole a cappella community, we were able to secure enough cars and rides to somehow get us to NYC for the ICCA Finals. Through all of this, we quickly realized how important it was to forget about winning and focus more on making our friends, family, and (now more than ever) our Boston pride."

Parting Advice:

"Change small things about your set to keep things fresh. Identify and utilize your members strengths -- communicate those strengths to keep them motivated! Remind yourselves why you are working so hard! Is it to win? Or is it show the world how hard you've worked on something you love? Through it all, have fun! You will cherish these memories for years and years."

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