In just the second year competing in the International Championship of High School Acapella (ICHSA) competition, the Bearden a capella competed in the regional semifinal in Durham, N.C. last month.
In order to qualify for the preliminary round in the ICHSA competition, high school a capella programs nationwide must submit a sample of their set to be evaluated. Upon acceptance, groups are geographically split into regions to later compete in the quarterfinal. For the South region, which Bearden falls under, groups must place within the top three high schools in order to punch their ticket to the semifinal.
Last year, Bearden’s run ended in the quarterfinal, a feat needless to say; however, the club hopes to use the experience to facilitate a deeper run in the competition. Club President Maggie Miller believes that the club has used last year’s experience to bolster early commitment.
“Even though we didn’t advance last year, walking away with a performance we were proud of gave us the motivation to come back this year and work harder,” Miller said.
Senior member Chloe Ellis expresses a similar mindset shaped by last year’s competition experience.
“Last year was our first time competing, and so we didn’t really know what the competition would look like or anything,” she said. “Once we realized how fun it was to work on the set, and get to perform it, we all wanted to work even harder the next year.”
Miller attributes the unprecedented success to more than momentum, however. Her role as club President has allowed her to oversee her peers’ willingness to dedicate countless hours in hopes of producing a polished set by the end of the year. A foundation of collective success has allowed the club to flourish beyond Miller’s initial expectations.
“I think the success that a capella has had this year comes from the members’ drive and passion to see each other succeed,” she said. “This is my fourth year in the club, and it’s so cool to see how it’s grown into what it is today.
“It’s really a group effort, and I just get to be the voice for it.”
Added Ellis: “A capella is really a team effort and not something that can be done by one person, and so when everyone comes together, you can really see the result in our performances.”
Junior beatboxer Omar Abdelnabi shares a similar sentiment toward the club. Valuing the impact the community has had on him beyond the accolades tied to competition.
“It has really made me feel part of a team and more so a community that is so dedicated and supportive of one another,” he said.
Miller highlights Abdelnabi in particular for his unique role within the club. Beatboxing establishes the early rhythm of a piece and anchors the group throughout the set. Last year, Bearden graduated their lead beatboxer, leaving a gap in the ensemble. Abdelnabi eagerly filled the position with no prior experience, but was prepared to grow his percussive ability.
“He came into the role not knowing how to beatbox at all, but he has learned so much and was a big part in us qualifying for the semifinals,” Miller said.
Added Abdelnabi: “I spent hours some days looking at videos, studying, and researching how the vocal chords and tongue play together as well as the lips to learn to make my sounds truly percussive. I’m definitely not an expert, but I keep trying to learn more and more, and I’m so excited to continue with acapella next year.”
The club has gone through much adversity this year with a series of rehearsal cancellations due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Even so, this didn’t prevent the group from producing a set that the members delight in. Miller, who is responsible for managing rehearsal, sought less conventional hours to guarantee the club was prepared.
“Since I am so passionate about [a capella], I was willing to work hard and spend the extra hours for the success of the club,” Miller said.
Miller believes the club has a promising future, anticipating the return of the same hardworking disposition from the veteran members.
“I think as a capella grows, there is a lot of potential for the group to go even further in the competition,” Miller said.