ACB Picks: Top Performances from ICCA 2007

With the ICCAs over for the year, here is a look back at my favorite performances from the competition.

Of course, before we get under way, I do have to stress that I only attended five out of the thirty-one shows that occurred throughout the US, Canada and England, so by no means would I claim that this is a comprehensive of list of which performances were actually the year's best. The shows I caught were:

Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals at Syracuse University
Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals at Lafayette College
Northeast Quarterfinals at SUNY Potsdam
Mid-Atlantic Semifinals at Rutgers University
Finals at the Lincoln Center

Best Soloist
5. Syracuse University Groovestand, "St. Teresa," from Rutgers
4. Florida State University All Night Yahtzee, "Not Ready To Make Nice," from NYC
3. The Amherst College Zumbyes, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," from NYC
2. New York University APC Rhythm, "Hollywood," from Potsdam
1. University of Delaware Vocal Point, "Sir Duke," from Lafayette

As I wrote of Vocal Point's Alfredo Austin's performance in my original review, "It has become a cliché in NBA basketball", a vertically challenged broadcaster watches a gifted player soar to the hoop, and throw down a gravity-defying dunk, then comments, "Just once in my life, I'd like to do that." This line couldn't help but come to mind, watching Vocal Point's first soloist take flight with Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke." .... Wish I could sing just one verse that way."

Best Choreography
5. Syracuse University Orange Appeal, "The Battle," from Syracuse
4. Ithaca College Ithacappella, "Hold On, I'm Coming," from Lafayette
3. The Amherst College Zumbyes, "Thriller," from NYC
2. The SUNY Binghamton Crosbys, "I'm A Man," from Potsdam
1. Brigham Young University Noteworthy, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," from NYC

From my review of the finals, "Out of this world choreography. Having seen the Crosbys set before, and having watched the Zumbyes go all-in with "Thriller," I never would have thought Noteworthy would pull off the best visual performance of the night. By the time these women were done, complete with a stomp routine and lift at the end, there was no question that they were the masters of movement."

Best Vocal Percussion
5. Syracuse University Orange Appeal, "Time Is Running Out," from Syracuse
4. New York University APC Rhythm, full set, from Potsdam
3. Ithaca College Ithacappella, "Hold On, I'm Coming," from Rutgers
2. Syracuse University Groovestand, "Thank You," from Syracuse
1. Florida State University All Night Yahtzee, full set, from NYC

From my review of the finals, "The other trend that began here and continued through the set was the out of this world vocal percussion. Travis Smith, my hat's off to you for the best perc I've heard all year in collegiate a cappella."

Best Attire
5. Brigham Young University Noteworthy
4. The Amherst College Zumbyes, from NYC
3. Syracuse University Groovestand, from Syracuse
2. SUNY Albany Serendipity, from Potsdam
1. Syracuse University Orange Appeal, from Syracuse

As I described Orange Appeal's look at the Syracuse show, "Black shirts and blue jeans for solidarity. Ties and chucks to add to the uniform, but different colors and designs all around for individuality. A perfect mix of professionalism and casual dress, for a really neat look."

Best Overall Song
5. Drew University 36 Madison Avenue, "Future Love Paradise," from Lafayette
4. Ithaca College Ithacappella, "Hold On, I'm Coming," from Lafayette
3. The SUNY Binghamton Crosbys, "Hey You," from Potsdam
2. Florida State University All Night Yahtzee, "Not Ready To Make Nice," from NYC
1. Brigham Young University Noteworthy, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," from NYC

From my write-up of the finals, "What can you say about this one? Power solo. Out of this world choreography ... Absolutely sensational closer, solidifying [Noteworthy's] place among the top groups of the night."

I'd be interested to hear what others think on these superlatives, specifically those who got see shows outside of the northeast US, and might have caught some highlights I had to miss.