POTSDAM -- The Potsdam Pitches a cappella singing group finished first at the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Central Region Semifinals in Buffalo, and with that, won a spot in the finals in New York City.

The Pitches are the first group from SUNY Potsdam to ever attend the competition’s finals round, the Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, to be held in New York City’s Beacon Theatre April 21.

“This is a huge honor for the Pitches to be able to perform on such a large stage. To see the group grow to what it is now has been amazing,” said Taylor Prosper of Potsdam, a senior music education major. Winning an individual award at the Buffalo competition, a specialty award for best arrangement, was The Pitches’ Holden Maiorana, a senior music education major.

This competition is based in the United States but extends into Canada and the United Kingdom.

The ICCA competition is the same contest featured in the 2012 movie “Pitch Perfect.”

The Potsdam Pitches were founded in 2007 and are SUNY Potsdam’s oldest co-ed a cappella group.

The Pitches are in the midst of releasing an EP and at the same time raising funds for their 11th annual invitational. To offset the price of these expenses with the added costs of traveling to New York City in less than a month for finals, the Pitches are hosting an online Kickstarter campaign to raise money.

If you wish to donate to the group’s efforts, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/939835437/1752878697.

The Pitches are also reachable across all social media platforms (@potsdampitches) or at www.potsdampitches.com.