FEBRUARY 13–15, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA

Thank you for coming!

SCOTS-APPELLA_SHERWOOD-HIGH-SCHOOL_1.26.2024

Friday, February 13

Scholastic Competition

Featured Performer

7:30PM

Saturday, February 14

Workshops

Masterclasses

9:30AM - 6PM

Sunday, February 15

Community Showcase

AVA Ceremony

2:00PM

Scholastic Competition

Thanks to all those who submitted, and CONGRATULATIONS to our selected competitors! See them compete live on Friday, February 13 during the Scholastic Competition.

Divisi

University of Oregon

MoorHarmony

MoorPark College

Squad Harmonix

Los Angeles

Wolf PACappella

Pacifica Christian High School

Unstrumental

Calabasas High School

HOST GROUP

Resonance

Resonance is a competitive a cappella group from UCLA open to people from all voice parts, majors, and walks of life—united by a shared passion for making music that connects and inspires. Since our founding in 2012, they have established themselves as a premier a cappella group with a unique sound, vibrant energy, and high level of musical excellence.

DELIBERATION PERFORMER

The Newfangled Four

From Southern California, The Newfangled Four is one of the top barbershop quartets in the world. They are the 5th place bronze medalists at the 2024 International Barbershop Contest. Over the years they have developed a reputation not only for their fine singing and showmanship, but also for their work and involvement in the youth movement as clinicians and educators, leading countless workshops for young singers in the US. With millions of views on their YouTube performances, they are proud to introduce the barbershop artform to aspiring young singers around the world. They strike the perfect balance of great music and quality entertainment, and they can’t wait to entertain YOU at your event. They are Jackson, Joey, Jake, and Marcus: The Newfangled Four!

Education

All-Access Pass holders get admission to a full day of workshops & classes on a range of topics, taught by industry experts from around the world, on Saturday, February 14. Classroom details will be shared with All-Access Pass holders before the festival.

Community Showcase

Close out the LAAF weekend at LAAF Community Showcase! See groups perform live on Sunday, February 15

GET TICKETS

Abbe Road

Santa Susana High School

Bare Rhythm

Calabasas High School

BFOM

UC Santa Barbara

Big Bing Theory

Gonzaga University

Duly Noted

UC San Diego

InterVals

UC Santa Barbara

Resonance

UC Los Angeles

The Beat

UC San Diego

COMPETITION FORMAT AND THEME

New Competition Format - 2 Rounds!

This year we’re doing things a little bit differently. We will be separating each group’s time into two rounds. In keeping with tradition, performance order will be selected at the venue, but each group will perform once before intermission and once after.

We also want to encourage groups to level-up their performance. Maybe a costume change at intermission, or secret ribbon wands, or maybe a flash mob dance troupe from your school will join you on stage. We want you to think big, but also keep in mind that our schedule and venue come with limitations. For example, sound checks (typically about 12 minutes) will not include extra time to rehearse with your props or dancers, and limited backstage space may mean that your baton twirlers will not get any dressing room space. Further details will be coordinated with groups selected to compete.

2026 Competition Theme

Round 1: Origin Story - 6 Minutes

LAAF began in 2010 as a passion project among students who were in search of a greater opportunity to connect with and learn from the larger a cappella community. That dream became reality and we’ve since shared countless hours of music and learning moments with each other.

In 6 minutes, share with us your origin story. Think songs you grew up listening to in the car with your parents, on the radio late at night with your friends, or the songs you played on repeat, becoming an important part of your life leading up to when you first joined a cappella.

Round 2: Redux - 4 Minutes

Music speaks to us all in different ways. We start with the original artist’s interpretation, but those same lyrics or melodic and harmonic movements can mean something totally different to each of us. A few years ago we were blessed with Kygo’s release of Whitney Houston’s rendition of Steve Winwood’s Higher Love, and even more recently Luke Combs graced us with his re-interpretation of the legendary Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car. These covers didn’t go viral simply because of who performed them, but because they gave us the opportunity to connect with the work in a way we hadn’t felt before.

So, in 4 minutes, please share with us your re-interpretation of stories that we all know and love.