The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella is not just for Pitch Perfect – it exists in real life, and OCU’s Tonal Eclipse is the winner of their quarterfinal competition.
Tonal Eclipse is one of two a cappella groups here on OCU’s campus. It is an entirely student lead organization who do their own arrangements, choreography, rehearsals, and production.
The co-ed group is led by president/director Rachel Schoenecker who recently spoke with The Campus regarding her experiences at the ICCAs.
Tonal Eclipse traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to compete at the ICCAs on Feb 17. A large variety of schools were in attendance, each performing a set of singing and dancing for around 10 minutes.
Schoenecker shared, “it was a gigantic leap of faith to even try to compete.” The group first had to complete a virtual preliminary round of auditions and then progressed to the quarterfinals.
Arriving at the ICCAs, the team was focused less on the competition and more on the comradery of the group. The accomplishments of the team to get them this far in the journey were enough of an achievement.
Yet, the group managed to pull away with a major win for the evening.
Schoenecker reflected “the energy on stage during those 10 minutes was unlike anything I’ve ever done”. The feeling of winning however was even greater.
“Oh my gosh. Indescribable. Euphoric. I was in total shock and amazement. It was one of the greatest moments of my entire life thus far.”
In addition to winning the main title of the night, Tonal Eclipse also won outstanding soloist for Anna Catherine Morgan and Outstanding Arrangement.
18 students were a part of this award-winning performer across all four undergraduate grade levels. Schoenecker cited these 18 people as the thing she is most proud of regarding Tonal Eclipse.
“Tonal Eclipse has lit a fire within me that has been missing for a long time, and it would be nothing without the people by my side on that stage.”
Following their win at the quarterfinals, the group will advance to the semifinals in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 30.
Be on the lookout as fundraising efforts beginning soon to help the organization with their competition expenses.
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