Ten40 took first place for the second year in a row in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella quarterfinals on Saturday night.
Michael Barlos, Ten40 president, said the group went into the competition trying not to have expectations, but rather just prove how hard they have worked.
Michigan State’s State of Fifths took second place and will travel to Dayton for the semifinals with Ten40. Kent State’s Kent Clarks took third.
Patrick Pauken, Ten40 faculty advisor, wiped the tears from his eyes as he said the group’s success is attributed to how much they love what they do.
“It comes from a love of music, brotherhood and the art form,” he said.
He said that although he is not a biological father, he knows what it feels like with the group and that they call him Papa Pat.
“They have welcomed me as part of the group,” he said.
Sophomore Susan Thomson, sister of Ten40 alumnus Clay Thomson, said she was ecstatic about the group’s win.
She said what sets them apart is how close knit they are.
In addition to taking first overall, Ten40 members also won three out of the four individual categories in the competition. Will Bauchman won outstanding arrangement, outstanding soloist went to Michael Barlos and both Bauchman and Barlos won outstanding choreography.
The 10 groups who competed were all accepted into the Great Lakes Region after submitting videos to the ICCA.
The sets from all 10 groups combined comedy, choreography and of course singing.
Ten40’s performance included mash-ups of Mutemath’s “Typical” and Awolnation’s “Sail,” Switchfoot’s “Dare You to Move” and 30 Seconds to Mars’ “Kings and Queens” and Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly.”
The group’s set was followed by a standing ovation from the audience.
Sophomore Blair Bishop said the performance was fun for her to watch.
“It’s amazing how they pull the audience in,” Bishop said. “It’s magical. Before last year, I had only seen stuff like this in the movies.”
After each of the 10 groups performed 12 minute sets, a comedian and a bagpipe performer entertained the audience while the judges deliberated.
Ten40 gave an encore performance of their signature song, “You Were Born.”
Clay Thomson, Ten40 alumnus, said watching the performance made him miss it.
“I felt like I was on stage with them,” he said.
Semifinals will take place at Centerville High School in Dayton, Ohio on March 21.
Thomson said he is confident how the group will perform in the semifinals.
“Tell the other nine groups to watch out,” he said.
