The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: KATIE MONROE Members of the University choral group The Accidentals rehearse at the School of Music. The Accidentals will perform at the ICCA Southern Quarterfinals Saturday.

Athens faces an unusual invasion of the a cappella kind Saturday at the Morton Theatre as six collegiate a cappella groups, including two from the University, attempt to sing, dance and beat box their way to an ultimate a cappella triumph.

The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) will bring together groups from the University of Florida, Florida State University, Clemson University and the University in a monumental showdown to determine which group has the complete a cappella package - soloists, harmony and choreography.

Normally held at Wake Forest University, an additional ICCA Southern Quarterfinal has been placed in Athens due to a regional expansion in southern a cappella - a great opportunity for the hometown groups.

Noteworthy, the University's all-female group, and the Accidentals, the all-male group, both know they have something to prove.

"I think the other groups are phenomenal, and if they made it to this competition, they have to be pretty good," said Kara Moore, a junior from Buford and member of Noteworthy.

"All the groups have been selected - you have to submit recordings of your group to even enter the competition."

Andrew Darragh, a junior from Gainesville and the assistant musical director of the Accidentals said, "We definitely have the potential to do well if we focus and really get on it."

The Accidentals and Noteworthy might get a boost by performing in an Athens venue with fans in the audience.

"The crowds will be cheering for us. Hopefully, they'll influence the judges," said Sarah Davidson, a sophomore from Alpharetta and member of Noteworthy.

"I think it'll make us enjoy it even if we don't win."

Moore disagreed, saying, "There's no home field advantage with these competitions. The judges don't come from here."

Home field advantage or not, the competition presents a lot of pressure, especially to some who are only weeks into their group membership.

"I didn't really know what to expect," said Matt Matheny, a freshman from Norcross and new member of the Accidentals.

"It's intense, but I really like it."

Langdon Quin, a junior from Buckhead and another new member of the Accidentals, said he feels a lot of pressure.

"Not only is this my first semester in the group and the ICCAs are only three weeks after we got initiated, but it's my first semester at Georgia," he said. "A lot is expected of me, but I'm up for the challenge."

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