Limited Edition Big Apple bound after all

Port Washington High School’s a cappella group Limited Edition is going to New York City after all. 

The group, which was edged out of an automatic invite to the Varsity Vocals Championship of High School A Cappella finals in the Big Apple in the semifinal round on March 21, was one of two groups from throughout the nation to win wildcard invitations to the championship round. 

The wildcard winners were selected based on video performances, and Limited Edition submitted its entry just before 80 Port High band and choir members, including most of the a cappella group, left for a spring break trip to Italy.

On Friday, April 3, the students were on their way home when on approach to O’Hare Airport in Chicago their phones started going off with the news they had more travels ahead of them.

“The kids were out of their seats and the people around them were trying to figure out why all these kids were celebrating,” Port High Choral Director Dennis Gephart said.

This will be the eighth Limited Edition group to compete in the Varsity Vocals finals, and it will be vying to become the second in school history to win the world championship.

But it will be a first for all the current members of the group, who were in eighth grade the last time Limited Edition appeared on stage in New York.

“They actually made good luck cards for Limited Edition the last time we went,” Gephart said.

Although Limited Edition came up a little short in the semifinals at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, placing second by a scant four points to a strong Off the Record group from Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Ill., the group feels good about its chances in New York, especially since it competes in one of the strongest a cappella regions in the country.

“The Midwest is just so strong,” Gephart said. 

“You always go to win. The kids did great and they’re happy with second, but they know there were some things they could have done (to earn a higher score).

“The good news is they’re happy with their set; it’s such a great set, so we’re hopeful.”

The group is not intimidated by being from one of the smaller high schools in the competition, Gephart said. 

“I always tell them that small schools can do great things,” he said.  

But time it ticking. The finals will be held on Friday, April 24, leaving the group with just two weeks to hone their set and fundraise for the trip, and it was already going to be a busy two weeks.

Limited Edition hosts its annual a cappella festival Acapocalypse at Port High this weekend, but rather than a distraction, it’s an opportunity to fine-tune their set since the event attracts top clinicians who can help the group tweak everything from its music to stage presence, Gephart said. 

As far as fundraising goes, the goal is to raise enough money to pay for the airfare and lodging of group members. Any shortfall will be made up by the students, who after competing on Friday, April 24, will have a chance to take the stage again on Saturday when the top three high school groups perform during deliberations of the college a cappella finals.

Fundraising for the trip is being done through the PWHS Music Boosters, a nonprofit organization. Donations may be made through Zeffy at www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-limited-edition-new-york--2026 or with Venmo to @Music-Boosters. Checks to PWHS Music Boosters can be sent to Port Washington High School c/o Dennis Gephart, 427 W. Jackson St., Port Washington, WI 53074.