As we gear up for CASA’s 16th annual SoJam festival this weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina, come meet your 2018 SoJam competitors! And don't forget you can watch the competition live right here on FloVoice!

Euphoria

As the 2018 BOSS runners-up, Euphoria is no stranger to the CASA competition stage. Euphoria was founded in 2006 at Grand Valley State University. Earlier this year, Euphoria released an EP entitled “Step One.”

Gemini Blvd.

Since 2009, Gemini Blvd has been building harmony at the University of Central Florida. Gemini Blvd consistently slays their regional ICCA quarterfinal and is looking to go all the way this year (with the set posted above).

Mixed Mode

Also hailing from the University of Central Florida, Mixed Mode is back at SoJam after an accolade-filled year. Besides competing at SoJam in 2017 (video posted above), they also showcased at Betsy’s A Cappella Festival, competed in the 2018 ICCA Wildcard, and were in the top nine of the 2018 AEA Collegiate Invitational. Their album “Mixology” is available now.

The Originals

The Originals is an all-male-identified collegiate a cappella group from Carnegie Mellon University. They have been around since 1996 and has performed with Ben Folds and The Pittsburgh Pops Orchestra, opened a national barbershop convention at CONSOL Energy Center, and placed second at ICCA Finals in 2016.

Last year they successfully Kickstarted their first studio album.

Parkside Range

Parkside Range is not only from the University of Wisconsin - Parkside, they are actually a part of the Contemporary Commercial Music Voice program at UW-Parkside. Parkside Range also regularly features the songwriting talents of their members, including the video posted above written by Kalyn Harewood.

Voicebox

Voicebox, also from the University of Central Florida, was founded in 2014 and has already made quite a name for itself. They are returning to SoJam in 2018 to reclaim their former glory, having been named the SoJam champions in 2016. They also picked up a Best Arrangements award (awarded to Harrison Acosta for their entire eight-song set) and a Best Soloist award for Michael Basco’s performance of “Manufactured Love.” Since then they showcased at the Betsy A Cappella Festival in 2017 and competed at CASA’s Los Angeles A Cappella Festival in 2018.

The competition spans three rounds with a five-minute time limit in Rounds 1 and 2 and a seven-minute limit in Round 3. 

All six groups will perform in the first two rounds. The judges will then whittle the competition down to just two groups for the final round.

Your 2018 SoJam judges are Alex Green (Plaid Productions), DeMar Neal (Vox), Kayla Jo Pichichero (head/voice, Birdland Ave), Mel Daneke (Musae, Viridian Productions), Oren Bailey (Transit Vocal Band)

Each round has its own theme. 

Round 1 (Max 5 Minutes)

Show us the perception of the world around you through the eyes of your group.

Round 2 (Max 5 Minutes)

Show us the way those around you perceive who you are.

Round 3 (Max 7 Minutes)

Showcase the lens that alters the way things are perceived from different points of view.

Don't forget to catch the action live right here on FloVoice.