Skywave performing during ICHSA.
On Sunday, February 2nd, Danvers High School hosted the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). Nine groups from nearby high schools competed, and the opposing schools were strong competitors this year.
ICHSA is a high school a cappella competition that takes place tournament style. Each group entered must perform a set that is ten minutes or less and accurately displays their a cappella skills. Groups are judged on aspects such as visuals (choreography), accuracy, technique, and even just the preferences of judges. The top two groups from each quarterfinal move on to a semifinal, and the top group from each semifinal will move on to a final.
The groups that competed this year were the Dachords from Hanover High School, the Newtones from Newton South High School, the Jewel Tones from Marblehead High School, the Crescendos from Chelmsford High School, the Thursdays from Chelmsford High School, Sassafras from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Revolution from Conservatory of the Arts, Tonal Chaos from Saugus High School, and of course, Skywave from Danvers High. The Thursdays won first place and the Crescendos won second place, so both groups will be moving on to the ICHSA semifinals in March. Revolution won third place. There were also other awards given out, such as best soloist, best vocal percussionist and best student arrangement.
Skywave was honored to be hosting and participating in this quarterfinal. It was great for the group to gain experience in a competitive setting. Also, meeting a cappella groups from other schools is always a highlight of ICHSA, and Skywave members certainly bonded with many of the other groups’ members.
Although Skywave didn’t place, the group has improved so much while preparing for this competition over the last few months and they look forward to future competitions.
