Another stacked field is converging on the birthplace of contemporary a cappella for the ICCA Northeast Semifinals in Boston this Sunday.

Hosted at Boston Symphony Hall, this year's competition is heavily represented by groups from Berklee College and Harvard University that are looking to advance to the 2018 ICCA Finals at the Beacon Theatre in New York on April 21.

Upper Structure

Berklee College of Music
Quarterfinal Score: 411

Modern, edgy, and innovative, this 3-year-old group from Berklee started making waves immediately. Sarah Zorrilla won Outstanding Vocal Percussion and Evan Lee took Outstanding Choreography both for the entire set, setting this fairly new group up for future success.

Harvard Opportunes

Harvard College
Quarterfinal Score: 354

The oldest group at Harvard has a long line of accolades to its name. Standout Chloe Saracco sang "Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing" for Outstanding Soloist.

The Harvard Lowkeys

Harvard University
Quarterfinal Score: 360

A service-based group with a long history of success in ICCA, the Harvard Lowkeys won their quarterfinal. Olga Romanova won Outstanding Arrangement for the entire set.

The CharlieChords

Berklee College of Music
Quarterfinal Score: 334

Now in its sixth year, this all-male group from Berklee enjoys singing for its hometown of Boston. The CharlieChords aren’t a choir; they’re a party. In the quarterfinals, Outstanding Vocal Percussion went to Ian Epstein for the entire set.

Under Construction

Harvard University
Quarterfinal Score: 420

This group’s foundation is faith-based, using music to share its message with the Harvard campus and beyond. Under Construction placed first in its quarterfinal — an impressive feat, considering it was the group's first ICCA appearance. Under Construction’s Michael Sanky won Outstanding Arrangement for the entire set.

Distilled Harmony

Northeastern University
Quarterfinal Score: 401

Northeastern University is well-known for its a cappella feats, and this group has 12 awards in the last three years alone. Distilled Harmony had an excellent second-place showing that included Outstanding Choreography by Caroline Lucas, Joby Mathew, and Morgan Headden; Outstanding Soloist for Caroline Lucas’ performance of “Falls;” and Outstanding Vocal Percussion by Sean Costello for the entire set.

The Mixtapes

New York University
Quarterfinal Score: 364

Eking out a quarterfinal win by four points, The Mixtapes’ regained the ICCA quarterfinal crown they last earned in 2016. Ben Rowley won Outstanding Arrangement for his work on “My Mind.”

Frequency

Pace University
Quarterfinal Score: 360

This student-run, student-funded group is excited to make the trip to Boston and could use your help to get there. 

L’Shir

University of Hartford
Quarterfinal Score: 380

A previous semifinalist, L'Shir was originally formed as an all-Jewish group but has evolved into one of many denominations. In the quarterfinals, L’Shir took home Outstanding Choreography for its entire set and Raelynn Giuffre won Outstanding Arrangement for “Blue Haze.”

The Bottom Line

Bryant University
Quarterfinal Score: 342

Active on and off campus, this co-ed group has been lighting up Bryant University since 2006. Max Pudvar took home Outstanding Vocal Percussion in the group's quarterfinal for “If I Go.”