On Jan. 25, Headband took first place in the Oregon International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) quarterfinals. Because the top two competitors get to move on to the West semifinals, Headband plans to head to Redwood City on March 22. This is the first time ever that Headband will be advancing to the semifinals, and the team is excited not only to represent Willamette but also to make history.
The president of Headband, Ash Scott (’25), said, “It feels like we are pulling off what we’ve been shooting for.” They attribute their success to the team environment that has been cultivated through years of just having fun and making music. Their dynamic is very close, said Scott, who has always thought of Headband as their “family on campus.” Beyond the team's close connection, they said that “[the team’s] big thing is that we … are having a whole bunch of fun on stage and are really fun to watch.”
Athena VanDyke (’24), having been on the team for four years now, looks back on how far they have come. “It wasn't really until last year when we were like, ‘Oh, like we are actually decent.’” This discovery was made in 2023, when Headband took third place in ICCA, just one place from advancing to the next round. Before this success, the group didn't see itself as very competitive, but was having fun singing, competing and connecting with the other acapella groups in the area.
Along with valuing the communal aspect of their team, Scott finds great pride in the A cappella community that has been cultivated between Headband and other groups on campus, including Up-Top, Tandem and the Mill Stream Sailors. Scott also values the a cappella community that has formed in the greater Oregon area through performance with the groups from other colleges like Oregon State University, University of Oregon and Portland State University. These groups have played a big role in Headband’s preparation for ICCA, as collaborative performances leading up to the competitions have given the group fresh opportunities to practice their winning set. It has also given Headband an opportunity to perform songs that stray from their set, providing variety to their audiences.
With almost two full months to prepare for the semifinals, Headband is grateful to have the helpful feedback of the judges that they are excited to implement into their work. Generally, though, VanDyke says that they are “just so glad to even go.”
The seniors of the group are savoring the experience more than most. VanDyke shared that she “really wants to go out with a bang and just have some fun.”
To get ready for this new adventure, Headband will be keeping up with their normal rehearsal schedule, perfecting the routine that they have been practicing all term long. After putting the final touches on their well-rehearsed set, Headband will be ready to take the stage on March 22, when they will sing for the chance to win the ICCA semifinals and go to New York City for finals.
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