MOUNT OLIVE – Carolina Sound, the premier a cappella ensemble from the University of Mount Olive, has advanced to the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Finals in New York City, earning recognition as the top collegiate a cappella group in the Southeast region.
The journey to the finals began in February at the ICCA Quarterfinals, where Carolina Sound competed against universities from North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. Only two groups from each quarterfinal round advance, with Carolina Sound and North Carolina State University earning top placements to move forward.
At the ICCA South Semifinals, held this past weekend at the Carolina Theatre before an audience of more than 820, Carolina Sound competed against the highest-scoring groups from across the Southeast, including top ensembles from Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Representing their earlier regional bracket, Carolina Sound again distinguished itself, earning first place and the highest overall score of the competition.
As the top-scoring group in the Southeast semifinal, Carolina Sound earned the region’s sole spot at the ICCA Finals. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our students and the growth of this ensemble,” said the group’s director. “To advance through each level of this competition and represent our region at finals is both encouraging and a testament to God’s kindness and faithfulness to this group.”
Carolina Sound’s 14-member ensemble performed a 10-minute medley featuring Come Alive, Scars to Your Beautiful, Kung-Fu Fighting, Goodness in My Life, and Hallelujah (When I Think About the Lord). The performance showcased both technical precision and emotional range, drawing strong audience response.
A highlight of the evening came when Kara Strange, a soprano in Carolina Sound, was named Best Soloist of the entire competition for her performance of Scars to Your Beautiful.
With the semifinal win, Carolina Sound will now compete at the ICCA Finals on April 25 in New York City. There, they will compete against colleges and universities from across the United States and the United Kingdom, including Durham University (UK), the University of British Columbia (West), Missouri State University (Midwest), Northeastern University (Northeast), the University of Michigan (Great Lakes), Towson University (Mid-Atlantic), Lehigh University (Central States), and Baylor University (Southwest).
Carolina Sound’s advancement places the University of Mount Olive on an international stage, highlighting the talent and commitment of its students in a highly competitive collegiate performance arena.
