Last Saturday evening, Binghamton a cappella groups Kaskeset and The Crosbys hosted the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals in Watters Theater.
The Rhythm Method was the sole BU group to compete Saturday. Nine other groups from Rutgers University, Muhlenberg College, Syracuse University, Westminster Choir College, Haverford College and the University of Rochester, also competed.
Kevin Guenthner, a member of The Rhythm Method, said singing on home turf was a great experience for the group.
“It was so amazing to perform, especially at Binghamton,” Guenthner said.
Jon Karlas, a member of The Binghamton Crosbys, hosted the event along with other members of The Crosbys and Kaskeset.
“It was great not competing because there was no pressure,” said Karlas, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law. “We just went out there and had a good time and [the audience] really enjoyed us.”
Henry Dinhofer also enjoyed hosting.
“It was an incredible experience,” said Dinhofer, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law. “A lot of singing, a lot of fun.”
Casual Harmony, an all-male group from Rutgers University, won the competition. They will advance to the next round of the competition on Sunday, March 24 at Rutgers. The runners-up, a co-ed group from Syracuse called Groovestand, will also move on in the competition. Third place was awarded to The Main Squeeze, an all-female Syracuse group.
Each of the groups that placed also won an award for performing well in a certain area. Casual Harmony received an award for outstanding vocal percussion, Groovestand won for outstanding choreography and The Main Squeeze won for outstanding arrangement. A co-ed group from Westminster Choir College, The Deaftones, won for outstanding solo performance.
Guenther, a junior majoring in human development, said The Rhythm Method worked hard to prepare for the competition.
“It was a really tiring process,” Guenther said. “We’ve had rehearsal from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. every night [this semester].”
The competition was judged by Joe Cantaffa, Justin Glodich and Mickey Hamilton, hired by Varsity Vocals.
Varsity Vocals, an umbrella organization, gives high school and college singers the opportunity to compete and perform at a variety of venues.
The ICCA is sponsored by Varsity Vocals and runs from February to April. It includes college groups from all over the world.
There are five regions that compete in the ICAA: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West. Each region consists of 8 to 10 groups and each region has a set of quarterfinal events.
The Crosbys have made it to ICAA finals four times and won the competition in 2003.
Groups are now competing to advance to the finals round at The Town Hall in Manhattan on Saturday, April 28.