Groups must consist of permanent, full-time, full-fledged participants who are students enrolled at your school or university. You may have as many as three (3) non-student members in your group, so long as (a) they are full-time, full-fledged members of your group (ie, not just participating for competition) and (b) your school sanctions the membership of non-students in your organization. Some additional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us with membership questions.
Under no circumstances should groups bring in outside performers for competition. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in disqualification from any and all future competitions.
We accept vocal ensembles of all styles, but we are not a choral competition. Groups composed of more than 18 members must understand that our stage dimensions and sound setup are only adequate for up to 18 members. Groups composed of more than 24 members may not compete
Please notify headquarters of any exceptions or new members not on the original roster included in your application. There is no penalty for losing members between rounds.
Any music style is acceptable, but repertoire and choreography must be appropriate for a family show. No instruments of any kind are allowed.
Questions about your application are addressed in our competition application policies, which you can also find by clicking “Apply Now” on our home page and selecting an application.
If you are accepted as a competitor, our producer will notify you of your set list deadline. You are permitted to alter your set list between rounds and before any event, but you will only eligible for special awards if you inform your producer of these changes at least five days before the event.
Each group has 10 minutes. Please note this change from previous seasons, which has been made to ensure adequate time for mic cleaning between sets and for vaccine/testing checks upon theater entry.
Remember to leave time for brief applause between songs. Timekeeping begins and ends when a performance begins or ends. If a choreographed or sung entry or exit is part of the set, time begins the moment the first person enters or exits. Otherwise, time begins with the first note sung or pitch blown, whichever comes first, and time ends when the last note is sung.
Groups who exceed the time limit may be penalized by one place. This policy is entirely at the discretion of headquarters, based on our official timekeeper. A brief grace period may be extended depending on live event conditions outside of the group’s control.
Microphones will be provided at the competitions. Equipment will differ from event to event, depending on what the venue can provide. Producers will describe the sound setup to competing groups before the event date. Groups may not bring or provide their own sound, microphones, headsets, processors, or sound technicians.
Groups will be allowed a 15-minute sound check before competition. At finals, sound checks are 20 minutes.
We do our best to slot groups in the quarterfinal events nearest their schools or universities. This is not always possible, given group scheduling conflicts or an overwhelming number of selected applicants being too close or too far from particular competitions. In these situations, we do our best to minimize the amount of travel any group has to do. Groups may not choose which region they are placed into, nor can groups switch regions between quarterfinals and semifinals in order to compete in a different semifinal.
Performance order will be determined by a random draw before sound check. Please remember that, historically, groups have performed and placed well from all time slots.
ICCA Tournament Structure:
ICHSA Tournament Structure:
Please visit our Juging page for details about how our competitions are judged.
Competitors are required to maintain the highest ethical standards and practices. They will recognize that judging is a service, because the competition and judging are a way of promoting the art of a cappella and gaining valuable feedback. Critical evaluations of the program should be directed to headquarters.
Groups accepted to competition are expected to appear in any competitions to which they advance. Groups who drop out for any unapproved reason will be barred from competition for one year. Their competition entry fees will not be returned.
We know there are a lot of rules, but we take our competition as seriously as you do. We want your experience in the ICCA and ICHSA to be amazing. Have a question or concern? Please check out our FAQs or let us know.
Each year is more exciting than the last, so be sure to apply early. Be sure to check out our rules & deadlines, and then audition and apply today!
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