2026 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Results

By Jessica Chen | April 12, 2026

Note: All production credits listed below were provided by the artists during their submission. Submit any corrections to [email protected]

Special Awards

Best Non-Scholastic Debut Album or EP

  • Winner: Sacred, Jazzchor Freiburg

    • Produced by: Bertrand Gröger and Johannes Jäck
    • Tracked by: Bertrand Gröger
    • Edited by: Jazzhaus Records
    • Mixed and mastered by: Johannes Jäck

     

  • Runner-up: Avo & Val Made an EP, Avo & Valentyna Simon

    • Tracked by: Avery Roberts
    • Edited and mixed by: Avery Roberts, Marc Sokolson
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Genre Awards

Best Alternative Album or EP

  • Winner: Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited by: Connor Martin
    • Mixed by: Jill Clark & Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: in:complete, The Unisons (Northeastern University)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Alternative Song

  • Winner: "THE GREATEST", The Nor'easters (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Aurum Productions
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Will Liu, Allie Fosnot, Josh Timmins, Carlos Noel

     

  • Runner-up: "娜魯灣情歌 Naruwan Love Song", JiU Vocal Band

    • Produced by: Cheng Chen Ku
    • Tracked by: Chih Tung Chiu, Wei Hsiang Kao
    • Edited and mixed by: Chih Tung Chiu
    • Mastered by: Wei Hsiang Kao
    • Written by: Hung Yuan Tso | Recording Assistant: Rock Kao | Recording Studio: 凡視響樂 | Mastering Studio: EmoStudio

     

Best Barbershop Album or EP

  • Winner: Smoke Ring Vol 1, Smoke Ring

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: Tiny Panther Recording (Charles Mueller)
    • Other credits: Gavi Kutliroff, Elena Georgieva

Best Barbershop Song

  • Winner: "Kudala" from Dumisa, ChosenSG

    • Produced by: Mfundo Tshabalala, Sibusiso Knox Mabaso, Theo Modise
    • Tracked by: Mfundo Tshabalala, Sibusiso Mabaso
    • Edited and mixed by: Theo Modise
    • Mastered by: Nkosie Hospas

     

  • Runner-up: "Air Conditioner" from Smoke Ring Vol 1, Smoke Ring
     

Best Big Band Song

  • Winner: "Straight No Chaser" from Pannonica, Jazzation

    • Produced and tracked by: Katus Várallyay, Sára Bolyki, Gina Kanizsa, Barnabás Bolyki, Máté Homor
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Bence Bobák
    • Other credits: Design: Dénes Kaszta
  • Runner-up: "Ain't but the One" from Sacred, Jazzchor Freiburg
     

Best Classical Album or EP

  • Winner: Kvällen, The Apex Singers

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Ollie Lambert
    • Tracked by: Emily Pulford
    • Mastered by: Ben Pike

     

  • Runner-up: Maria, amarcord

    • Produced by: amarcord, Michael Silberhorn & Holger Busse – GENUIN recording group
    • Tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: Michael Silberhorn & Holger Busse – GENUIN recording group

Best Classical Song

  • Winner: "A girl" from Meridiane - Spoken, Sjaella

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: Michael Silberhorn

     

  • Runner-up: "The Sun Never Says" from SYZYGY, No Comment (University of Illinois)

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Mitchell Lazarow
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Anthony Tu, Lee Susara

     

Best Country Song

  • Winner: "Church Bells" from NIGHT FALLS , JMU Low Key (James Madison University)

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: James Gammon

     

  • Runner-up: "Jolene" from ETA, Hyannis Sound

    • Produced by: Ed Boyer, Colin Egan, Earl McBride, and Jerick Rose
    • Tracked and edited by: Colin Egan
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Disco Song

  • Winner: "Blame It on the Boogie", The Bass Gang

    • Produced and edited by: Tomi P
    • Tracked by: Tomi P, Peter Barber, Bobby Bass, Marwan Ayman, J.None
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Hung Up" from Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Edited by: Connor Martin
    • Tracked and mixed by: Jill Clark
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Electronic Album or EP

  • Winner: Avo & Val Made an EP, Avo & Valentyna Simon

    • Tracked by: Avery Roberts
    • Edited and mixed by: Avery Roberts, Marc Sokolson
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: [e]Motion, Rebel Bit

    • Produced by: Erik Bosio, Lorenzo Subrizi and Andrea Trona
    • Tracked and edited by: Lorenzo Subrizi
    • Mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio
    • Other credits: Electronic processing by Andrea Trona

Best Electronic Song

  • Winner: "Erase Me" from Avo & Val Made an EP, Avo & Valentyna Simon

    • Tracked by: Avery Roberts
    • Edited and mixed by: Avery Roberts, Marc Sokolson
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: "Only Way Out" from Crossing the Rubicon, Fundamentally Sound (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

    • Tracked and edited by: Niko Tutland
    • Mixed by: Michael Khor Eng Hoe and Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Experimental Album or EP

  • Winner (TIE): Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited by: Connor Martin
    • Mixed by: Jill Clark & Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Winner (TIE): What Lies Within, hachajah

    • Produced and tracked by: Charith Peris
    • Edited by: Ed Boyer
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer, Mark Needham
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz, Bill Hare
    • Lyrics and Music: Charith Peris
    • Arrangement/Editing: Rob Dietz, Charith Peris, Sham Ahmed

Best Experimental Song

  • Winner: "The Doll People", facet vocals

    • Produced by: Kera Keene
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Jill Clark Productions
    • Mastered by: Pablo Vega

     

  • Runner-up: "Words in Pages", Forest Fire

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Craig Simonetti
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

Best Folk Album or EP

  • Winner: Northern Sky (A Cappella), The Wellermen

    • Produced by: The Wellermen
    • Tracked by: Jonny Stewart, Sam Pope, Luke Taylor, Bobby Waters
    • Edited by: Jonny Stewart, Johnny DelToro, Sam Pope
    • Mixed by: Adrian Hall, Johnny DelToro, Jonny Stewart
    • Mastered by: Ed Woods
  • Runner-up: Kvällen, The Apex Singers

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Ollie Lambert
    • Tracked by: Emily Pulford
    • Mastered by: Ben Pike

     

Best Folk Song

  • Winner: "House of the Rising Sun", Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones (Harvard University)

    • Produced by: Brady Billingsley
    • Edited and mixed by: Mel Daneke
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Both Sides Now" from ETA, Hyannis Sound

    • Produced by: Ed Boyer, Earl McBride, Cristian Ramos, and Eric Tarlin
    • Tracked by: Raymond Ortiz
    • Edited by: Eric Tarlin
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare
    • Other credits: Raymond Ortiz

     

Best Funk Song

  • Winner: "Freakum Dress" from Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Superstition" from Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Edited by: Connor Martin
    • Tracked and mixed by: Jill Clark
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Global Album or EP

  • Winner: Echo, Venice Vocal Jam

    • Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio
    • Tracked by: Erik Bosio, Valentino Favotto, Alberto Bonso,
    • Publisher: Preludio Srl | Cover Photography: Anna Pistellato | Cover Graphic Designer: Manuel Nurra

     

  • Runner-up: Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

Best Global Song

  • Winner: "Munhu Wese" from Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices
    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

  • Runner-up: "Unwritten (Esperanto)" from 2024, A Cappella Academy
    • Produced and tracked by: Zahara, Darby Lestin
    • Edited by: Chris Juengel
    • Mixed and mastered by: Ed Boyer

Best Hip-Hop Song

  • Winner: "Are You That Somebody" from Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Munhu Wese" from Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

Best Holiday Album or EP

  • Winner: Kvällen, The Apex Singers

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Ollie Lambert
    • Tracked by: Emily Pulford
    • Mastered by: Ben Pike
  • Runner-up: A Very Freqy Holiday, Frequency (Pace University)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Nicky Brenner
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Holiday Song

  • Winner: "Santa Tell Me" from Chasing Freedom, SoundProof

    • Produced by: KC A Cappella
    • Tracked by: Neil Simpson
    • Edited by: Nick Girard
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" from Sweet Little Jesus Boy, J209

    • Produced, tracked and edited by: David Allen
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Troy Sales
    • Other credits: Executive Produced by Ben Fales

     

Best Humor Song

  • Winner: "A Wicked Chanukah", Six13

    • Produced by: Mike Boxer
    • Tracked by: Six13
    • Edited by: Jeff Eames
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
  • Runner-up: "Dad Guy", TBD a cappella

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Dan Wallis
    • Tracked by: Dan Wallis & Isaiah Hawkins
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Indie Album or EP

  • Winner: Free, Resonance (University of California Los Angeles)

    • Tracked by: Angela Nguyen, Julien Fraser
    • Edited by: Julien Fraser, Max Henkel
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: Matters of the Heart, The Downbeats (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Natalie Walsh
    • Tracked and mixed by: Aurum Productions
    • Edited by: Martin Music Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz Productions

     

Best Indie Song

  • Winner: "THE GREATEST", The Nor'easters (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Aurum Productions
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Will Liu, Allie Fosnot, Josh Timmins, Carlos Noel

     

  • Runner-up: "symptom of life", The Ram Jams (Ramsey High School)

    • Produced by: Mel Daneke of Viridian Productions; Matthew Wolf, Director
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Mel Daneke of Viridian Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Jazz Album or EP

  • Winner: moon sessions vol. 3, Moon Sessions

    • Tracked, mixed and mastered by: Marwan Ramen
    • Edited by: Elisabeth Manalo, Marwan Ramen

     

  • Runner-up: Pannonica, Jazzation

    • Produced and tracked by: Katus Várallyay, Sára Bolyki, Gina Kanizsa, Barnabás Bolyki, Máté Homor
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Bence Bobák

     

Best Jazz Song

  • Winner: "Summertime" from Iris, Iris Vocal Trio

    • Produced and tracked by: Andrew Siribansop
    • Edited by: Andrew Siribansop, David Fowler
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: "Yardbird Suite" from Pannonica, Jazzation

    • Produced and tracked by: Katus Várallyay, Sára Bolyki, Gina Kanizsa, Barnabás Bolyki, Máté Homor
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Bence Bobák
    • Other credits: Design: Dénes Kaszta

Best Latin Song

  • Winner: "Mil pasos" from Echo, Venice Vocal Jam

    • Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio
    • Tracked by: Valentino Favotto, Alberto Bonso

     

  • Runner-up: "Necesito una canción", Melomans

    • Produced by: Melomans & Erik Bosio
    • Tracked by: Colinas Music (Nacho Mañó)
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio

Best Pop Album

  • Winner: ETA, Hyannis Sound

    • Produced by: Ed Boyer, Earl McBride, and Cristian Ramos
    • Tracked by: Tim Bongiovanni, Colin Egan, Logan Dawson, Raymond Ortiz
    • Edited by: Tim Bongiovanni, Logan Dawson, Jeff Eames, Colin Egan, Jerick Rose, Eric Tarlin
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare
    • Other credits: Jack Eyles, Roman Newhouse, Jerick Rose

     

  • Runner-up: Crossing the Rubicon, Fundamentally Sound (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

    • Produced by: Fundamentally Sound
    • Tracked and edited by: Niko Tutland
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer, Michael Khor Eng Hoe, Niko Tutland
    • Mastered by: Dave Sperandio, Bill Hare

     

Best Pop EP

  • Winner: Avo & Val Made an EP, Avo & Valentyna Simon

    • Tracked by: Avery Roberts
    • Edited and mixed by: Avery Roberts, Marc Sokolson
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up (TIE): DIVINITY, Viridescent (University of Vermont)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Joe Hazell
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up (TIE): Untethered, Distilled Harmony (Northeastern University)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Plaid Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz Productions

     

Best Pop Song

  • Winner: "Flesh & Bone" from Flare Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)
    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited and mixed by: Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: "Woman" from Confidential Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)
    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso, Malachi Braithwaite
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

Best R&B Album or EP

  • Winner: Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso, Malachi Braithwaite (rap section of "Woman")
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: ULTRAVIOLET, Frequency (Pace University)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Nicky Brenner
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

Best R&B Song

  • Winner: "Are You That Somebody" from Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Flesh & Bone" from Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited and mixed by: Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Religious Album or EP

  • Winner: Sarungano, The Redeemed Family

    • Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by: Riffi Wacho
    • Tracked by: Pikirai Mangindi
    • Other credits: Executive Producers-Forgive Katukavarimi and Allan Mawarire

     

  • Runner-up: Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

Best Religious Song

  • Winner: "Already Won" from IGNITION: B-Sides, J209

    • Produced, tracked and edited by: David Allen
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Munhu Wese" from Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

Best Rock Album or EP

  • Winner: Time and Time Again, Five O'Clock Shadow
    • Produced and tracked by: Caleb Whelden
    • Edited by: Nick Girard
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare
  • Runner-up: Event Horizon, Harmonics (Stanford University)

    • Produced and tracked by: Parthiv Krishna
    • Edited by: Ted Trembinski
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Rock Song

  • Winner: "Burn" from IGNIS, YellowJackets (The University of Rochester)

    • Produced by: The YellowJackets
    • Tracked by: Josh Carter, Mike Jankowski
    • Edited by: Mel Deneke
    • Mixed by: Jill Clark
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: "Fly Like An Eagle" from Iris, Iris Vocal Trio

    • Produced and tracked by: Andrew Siribansop
    • Edited by: Andrew Siribansop, David Fowler
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Show Tunes Album or EP

  • Winner: Live in Concert 2024, Broadway Goes A Cappella

    • Produced by: Evan Feist, Sam Strum, Charlie Arthur, Andrew Siribansop, David Fowler
    • Tracked by: David Fowler
    • Edited by: David Fowler, Nicky Brenner, Andrew Siribansop
    • Mixed by: David Fowler
    • Mastered by: David Fowler
  • Runner-up: Act 1, Enchord

    • Tracked by: Neil Goody
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Will Geraint Drake

     

Best Show Tunes Song

  • Winner: "Almost Like Being in Love" from 2024, primavera (A Cappella Academy)

    • Produced and tracked by: Brave James
    • Edited by: Chris Juengel
    • Mixed and mastered by: Ed Boyer

     

  • Runner-up: "For Good", The Island Voices

    • Produced by: Owen Li & Benjamin E. Yeo
    • Tracked and edited by: Owen Li & Benjamin E. Yeo
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Soundtrack / Theme Song Album or EP

  • Winner: Vocal Recall, Fool Moon

    • Produced by: Miklos Nemeth & Gabor Molnar
    • Tracked by: Gabor Molnar & Miklos Nemeth
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Gabor Molnar
    • Other credits: Photography & design by Arteriadesign, Gergely Höltzl | Featuring: Veres Mónika 'Nika' in (I've Had) The Time of My Life, Márk Zentai in Fish & Chips
  • Runner-up: School's Out, Tufts University Beelzebubs (Tufts University)

    • Produced, tracked and edited by: Plaid Productions
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Soundtrack Song

  • Winner: "Defying Gravity" from Live In Concert 2024, Liminal (A Cappella Academy)

    • Produced by: Tehillah Alphonso
    • Tracked and edited by: Chris Juengel
    • Mixed and mastered by: Ed Boyer

     

  • Runner-up: "Song of Durin" from Northern Sky (A Cappella), The Wellermen ft. Vinny Marchi

    • Produced by: Ed Randell, Jonny Stewart
    • Tracked by: Jonny Stewart, Bobby Waters, Ed Randell, Sam Pope, Luke Taylor
    • Edited by: Jonny Stewart
    • Mixed by: Adrian Hall
    • Mastered by: Ed Woods
    • Other credits: Vinny Marchi - guest countertenor solo

Best Theme Song

  • Winner: "Agents" from Vocal Recall, Fool Moon

    • Produced by: Miklos Nemeth & Gabor Molnar
    • Tracked by: Gabor Molnar & Miklos Nemeth
    • Edited, mixed and mastered by: Gabor Molnar
    • Other credits: Photography & design by Arteriadesign, Gergely Höltzl | Featuring: Veres Mónika 'Nika' in (I've Had) The Time of My Life, Márk Zentai in Fish & Chips
  • Runner-up: "What's New Scooby-Doo?" from Bad Academic Practice, The Other Guys (University of St. Andrews)

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: The AC Product
    • Tracked by: Sebastian Roberts
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

Best Traditional Album or EP

  • Winner: Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

  • Runner-up: Northern Sky (A Cappella), The Wellermen

    • Produced by: The Wellermen
    • Tracked by: Jonny Stewart, Sam Pope, Luke Taylor, Bobby Waters
    • Edited by: Jonny Stewart, Johnny DelToro, Sam Pope
    • Mixed by: Adrian Hall, Johnny DelToro, Jonny Stewart
    • Mastered by: Ed Woods

     

Best Traditional Song

  • Winner: "Bella ciao" from Echo, Venice Vocal Jam

    • Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio
    • Tracked by: Valentino Favotto, Alberto Bonso
    • Other credits: Label/Publisher: Preludio Srl

     

  • Runner-up: "Madodana" from Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

Continental Awards

Best African Album or EP

  • Winner: Sarungano, The Redeemed Family

    • Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by: Riffi Wacho
    • Tracked by: Pikirai Mangindi
    • Other credits: Executive Producers-Forgive Katukavarimi and Allan Mawarire
  • Runner-up: Evidence of the Kingdom, Family Voices

    • Produced, edited and mixed by: Jordan Roll of J Roll Productions
    • Tracked by: Ngonidzashe Musiniwa & Oscar Mukaro
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare of Bill Hare Productions
    • Other credits: Executive Producer, Brighton Ncube

     

Best Asian Album or EP

  • Winner: Island Anthems, The Island Voices

    • Produced by: Owen Li, Elsa Mickayla, Benjamin E. Yeo
    • Tracked and edited by: Owen Li & Benjamin E. Yeo
    • Mixed by: Benjamin E. Yeo, Alex Green (Plaid Productions)
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz, Bill Hare

Best European Album

  • Winner: Echo, Venice Vocal Jam

    • Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio
    • Tracked by: Erik Bosio, Valentino Favotto, Alberto Bonso,
    • Publisher: Preludio Srl | Cover Photography: Anna Pistellato | Cover Graphic Designer: Manuel Nurra

     

  • Runner-up: [e]Motion, Rebel Bit

    • Produced by: Erik Bosio, Lorenzo Subrizi and Andrea Trona
    • Tracked and edited by: Lorenzo Subrizi
    • Mixed and mastered by: Erik Bosio
    • Other credits: Electronic processing by Andrea Trona

     

Best European EP

  • Winner: Dreamcatcher, Northern Lights (Durham University, UK)

    • Produced by: Ed Boyer
    • Tracked by: Aman Krishna
    • Edited by: Ed Boyer, Scott Shattuck
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare
    • Other credits: Aman Krishna

     

  • Runner-up: All At Once, Tone Up (University of Edinburgh)

    • Produced and mixed by: Adam Critchlow (The AC Product)
    • Tracked by: Sam Burgess and Toby Jones
    • Edited by: Adam Critchlow and Emily Pulford (The AC Product)
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Original Music Awards

Best Original Song by a Non-Scholastic Composer

  • Winner: hachajah / Charith Peris: "Shooting Traffic Lights" from What Lies Within, hachajah

    • Produced and tracked by: Charith Peris
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Understand", The Island Voices

    • Produced by: Owen Li & Elsa Mickayla
    • Tracked and edited by: Owen Li & Benjamin E. Yeo
    • Mixed by: Benjamin E. Yeo
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

Best Original Song by a Scholastic Composer

  • Winner: Lyla Seitz: "Tattooed, Stained, Imprinted" from Pictures Saved, The A Cappella Group (Cypress Lake Center for the Arts)

    • Produced by: Gary Stroh
    • Tracked and edited by: Chris Juengel
    • Mixed by: Carl Taylor
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
  • Runner-up: Natalie Barth: "Growing Old" from A Crowded Room, Loreleis (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

    • Produced by: Pablo Vega, Ellis Riggsbee, Elli Alexander, Cho Nikoi
    • Tracked by: Pablo Vega, Oliver Chen, Ellis Riggsbee
    • Edited by: Pablo Vega, Jill Clark, Nick Lyons
    • Mixed by: Pablo Vega
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Non-Scholastic and Professional Arrangement Awards

Best Non-Scholastic Arrangement

  • Winner: Earl McBride III: "Ain't Nobody" from ETA, Hyannis Sound

    • Produced by: Ed Boyer, Colin Egan, Earl McBride, and Cristian Ramos
    • Tracked and edited by: Colin Egan
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: Elliott von Wendt and Nate Williams: "Hello", DMel & Friends

    • Produced by: Dylan Melville
    • Tracked by: DMel & Friends
    • Edited by: Tyler Nordin and Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Professional Arrangement for a Collegiate Group

  • Winner: Elliott von Wendt: "Radio" from Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited and mixed by: Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: Blake Farfan: "THE GREATEST", The Nor'easters (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Aurum Productions
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Will Liu, Allie Fosnot, Josh Timmins, Carlos Noel

     

Best Professional Arrangement for a High School Group

  • Winner: Christopher Given Harrison: "Animal", Unstrumental (Calabasas High School)

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: Christopher Given Harrison

     

  • Runner-up: Jon Smith: "Break My Heart" from The Way it Was, Walk the Line (Rockwall High School)

    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Colin Adams
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Professional Arrangement for a Non-Scholastic Group

  • Winner: Jared Jenkins: "Human Nature", DMel & Friends

    • Produced by: Dylan Melville
    • Tracked by: Oscar Hall, Maxwell Addae, Nick Barbosa, Isaiah Solares, Dylan Melville
    • Edited by: Tyler Nordin
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: Elliott von Wendt: "22 (OVER S∞∞N)", Sound Off A Cappella

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Jill Clark Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz Productions

     

Semi-Professional / Post-Collegiate Awards

Best Semi-Professional / Post-Collegiate Album or EP

  • Winner: Sacred, Jazzchor Freiburg

    • Produced by: Bertrand Gröger and Johannes Jäck
    • Tracked by: Bertrand Gröger
    • Edited by: Jazzhaus Records
    • Mixed and mastered by: Johannes Jäck

     

  • Runner-up: Avo & Val Made an EP, Avo & Valentyna Simon

    • Tracked by: Avery Roberts
    • Edited and mixed by: Avery Roberts, Marc Sokolson
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Semi-Professional / Post-Collegiate Song

  • Winner: "Pretty Girls" from Avo & Val Made an EP, Avo & Valentyna Simon

    • Tracked by: Avery Roberts
    • Edited and mixed by: Avery Roberts, Marc Sokolson
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: "22 (OVER S∞∞N)", Sound Off A Cappella

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Jill Clark Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz Productions

     

Collaborative and Solo Performer Awards

Best Collaborative Song

  • Winner: "Blame It on the Boogie", The Bass Gang

    • Produced and edited by: Tomi P
    • Tracked by: Tomi P, Peter Barber, Bobby Bass, Marwan Ayman, J.None
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "The Doll People", facet vocals

    • Produced by: Kera Keene
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Jill Clark Productions
    • Mastered by: Pablo Vega

     

Best Song by a Solo Performer

  • Winner: "Tan Q" from What Lies Within, hachajah

    • Produced and tracked by: Charith Peris
    • Edited by: Ed Boyer
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer, Mark Needham
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Lyrics and Music: Charith Peris | Arrangement: Rob Dietz, Charith Peris | Arrangement Editing: Shams Ahmed
  • Runner-up: "Light On (A Cappella)", Celine Mireille

    • Produced by: Celine Mireille + Zachary Gray
    • Tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: Zachary Gray

     

Scholastic Awards

Best High School Album or EP

  • Winner: Wait For Your Love, OneVoice (Briarcrest Christian School)

    • Produced and tracked by: J.D. Frizzell
    • Edited by: Alex Green and Alexander Koutzoukis (Plaid Productions)
    • Mixed by: Angela Ugolini (Aurum Productions)
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: John Dollahite, Production Assistant

     

  • Runner-up: The Way it Was, Walk the Line (Rockwall High School)

    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Colin Adams, Mel Daneke
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Additional drum production on “Leave Me Alone” by: Pearce Illmer

Best High School Arrangement

  • Winner: Caelum Gadway: "Creep", Encore (Plattsburgh High School)

    • Produced, tracked and edited by: Cody Hampton
    • Mixed and mastered by: Ryan Hayden
    • Other credits: Videogropher - Andrew Donaghue, Video Director- Cody Hampton

     

  • Runner-up: Pranav Mohankumar, Abbey Edmundson, Armen Fiesel, Ceylin Baytan: "Writing's On The Wall" from BLACKOUT, Chock Full of Notes (Plainview Old-Bethpage John F Kennedy High School)

    • Produced by: Ascension Sound Productions LLC
    • Tracked by: Sarah Fitzgerald and Kevin Liu
    • Edited by: Sarah Fitzgerald
    • Mixed by: Nicky Brenner

Best High School Lead Vocal

  • Winner: Emerson Wimmer: "Animal", Unstrumental (Calabasas High School)

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: Christopher Given Harrison

     

  • Runner-up: Aleithia Wilson: "Now It's You" from Unbreakable, Synergy (Nordonia High School)

    • Produced and tracked by: John Pickering
    • Edited and mixed by: B.K. Riha
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Rachel Chalhoub - Graphic Design

     

Best High School Song

  • Winner: "Unwritten" from 2024, Esperanto (A Cappella Academy)

    • Produced by: Zahara, Darby Lestin
    • Tracked by: Zahara, Darby Lestin
    • Edited by: Chris Juengel
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Ed Boyer
  • Runner-up (TIE): "Anyone" from First Light, Shades of Blue (Hilliard Bradley High School)

    • Produced by: Jeremy Witt, Kelsey Burkett, Alyssa Schott
    • Tracked by: Phil Nagy
    • Edited by: Plaid Productions and Ed Boyer
    • Mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up (TIE): "symptom of life", The Ram Jams (Ramsey High School)

    • Produced by: Mel Daneke of Viridian Productions; Matthew Wolf, Director
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Mel Daneke of Viridian Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Lower Voices Collegiate Album or EP

  • Winner: Crossing the Rubicon, Fundamentally Sound (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

    • Produced by: Fundamentally Sound
    • Tracked and edited by: Niko Tutland
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer, Michael Khor Eng Hoe, Niko Tutland
    • Mastered by: Dave Sperandio, Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: IGNIS, YellowJackets (The University of Rochester)

    • Produced by: The YellowJackets
    • Tracked by: Josh Carter, Mike Jankowski
    • Edited by: Mel Daneke
    • Mixed by: Jill Clark
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

Best Lower Voices Collegiate Arrangement

  • Winner: Keiji Ishiguri: "House of the Rising Sun" from Fun at Parties, Yale University Whiffenpoofs (Yale University)

    • Produced by: Peter Sykes, Avalon Scarola, Jake Latts
    • Tracked by: Greg DiCrosta
    • Edited by: Nick Girard
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: William Cohen-Pratt: "Dangerous", YellowJackets (The University of Rochester)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Jill Clark Studios
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Additional editing by: Chris Brody

Best Lower Voices Collegiate Lead Vocal

  • Winner: Rahul Ravi: "Coalesce" from Crossing the Rubicon, Fundamentally Sound (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

    • Tracked and edited by: Niko Tutland
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: Matthew Cahill: "Give You Blue", Hullabahoos (University of Virginia)

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: James Gammon

     

Best Lower Voices Collegiate Song

  • Winner: "Red Desert" from Crossing the Rubicon, Fundamentally Sound (University of Wisconsin - Madison)

    • Tracked and edited by: Niko Tutland
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: "Dangerous", YellowJackets (The University of Rochester)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Jill Clark Studios
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Additional editing by: Chris Brody

     

Best Mixed Voices Collegiate Album

  • Winner: Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso, Malachi Braithwaite (rap section of "Woman")
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

  • Runner-up: Event Horizon, Harmonics (Stanford University)

    • Produced and tracked by: Parthiv Krishna
    • Edited by: Ted Trembinski
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Mixed Voices Collegiate EP

  • Winner: Damage Control, Accent A Cappella (University of Florida)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Aurum Productions
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz Productions

     

  • Runner-up: Embers, Noteriety (University of Arizona)

    • Produced by: Zach Gray, Emily Drum
    • Tracked by: Will Edeal and Emily Drum
    • Edited by: Emily Drum
    • Mixed and mastered by: Zach Gray

     

Best Mixed Voices Collegiate Arrangement

  • Winner: James Woodward: "Water" from Water, DaCadence (University of Maryland)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: Visud Chang, Marcus Espinosa: "My Mind" from CATHARSIS, Drawn to Scale (University of California, Berkeley)

    • Produced by: Nick Lyons, Mel Daneke
    • Tracked by: Visud Chang
    • Edited by: Nick Lyons
    • Mixed by: Mel Daneke
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

Best Mixed Voices Collegiate Lead Vocal

  • Winner: Will Marsh: "House of the Rising Sun (Live From Sanders Theatre)", Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones (Harvard University)

    • Produced by: Brady Billingsley
    • Edited and mixed by: Mel Daneke
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare
  • Runner-up: Tyler Christian: "Are You That Somebody" from Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Mixed Voices Collegiate Song

  • Winner: "THE GREATEST", The Nor'easters (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Aurum Productions
    • Tracked, edited and mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz
    • Other credits: Will Liu, Allie Fosnot, Josh Timmins, Carlos Noel

     

  • Runner-up: "Are You That Somebody" from Confidential, Pitch Slapped (Berklee College of Music)

    • Tracked by: Tyler Christian Lewis, Nico Cardoso
    • Edited by: Justin Crichfield
    • Mixed by: Ed Boyer
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Upper Voices Collegiate Album or EP

  • Winner: Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited by: Connor Martin
    • Mixed by: Jill Clark & Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: A Crowded Room, Loreleis (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

    • Produced by: Pablo Vega, Ellis Riggsbee, Elli Alexander, Cho Nikoi, Abigail Paquin, and Abby Workman
    • Tracked by: Pablo Vega, Oliver Chen, and Ellis Riggsbee
    • Edited by: Pablo Vega, Jill Clark, and Nick Lyons
    • Mixed by: Pablo Vega
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Upper Voices Collegiate Arrangement

  • Winner: Megan Myers: "Linger" from once, always, The Virginia Belles (University of Virginia)

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: James Gammon

     

  • Runner-up: Cho Nikoi: "Remember" from A Crowded Room, Loreleis (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

    • Produced by: Pablo Vega, Ellis Riggsbee, Cho Nikoi, Abigail Paquin, Abby Workman, Elli Alexander
    • Tracked by: Pablo Vega, Oliver Chen, Ellis Riggsbee
    • Edited and mixed by: Pablo Vega
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Upper Voices Collegiate Lead Vocal

  • Winner: Rosa Sun: "NEED ME" from Shock It Long!, Sil'hooettes (University of Virginia)

    • Produced, tracked, edited, mixed and mastered by: James Gammon
  • Runner-up: Abby Workman: "Alaska" from A Crowded Room, Loreleis (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

    • Produced by: Pablo Vega, Ellis Riggsbee, Abby Workman
    • Tracked by: Pablo Vega, Oliver Chen, Ellis Riggsbee
    • Edited by: Pablo Vega, Jill Clark, Nick Lyons
    • Mixed by: Pablo Vega
    • Mastered by: Bill Hare

     

Best Upper Voices Collegiate Song

  • Winner: "Radio" from Flare, Pitch, Please! (Northeastern University)

    • Produced by: Olivia Materetsky
    • Tracked by: Jill Clark
    • Edited and mixed by: Connor Martin
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

  • Runner-up: "Oscar Winning Tears" from MUSE, Treble on Huntington (Northeastern University)

    • Produced, tracked, edited and mixed by: Angela Ugolini
    • Mastered by: Eric Scholz

     

As always, thanks to everyone who submitted, and a huge thank you again to all of the nominators, judges and committee members who put in hours of work to make sure all submissions were considered fairly and equally.

2026 CARA Nominators & Judges:

Brian Alexander
Joe Antonioli
Krystal Apke
Charlie Arthur
Dom Otto
Andrew Bowen
Brandon Burgess
Dan Campagna
Jessica Chen
Jill Clark
Becca Crivello
Wendy Cromley
Gina Deaton
Diego De Jesus
J-M Erlendson
ESTRELLA FEDRIANI
Dan Fister
Evan Fraser
Elena Georgieva
Justin Glodich
Erin Hackel
Tammy Heinsohn
Monty Hill
Ed Holt
Robert Hooper
Ed Howard
Joe Hutchinson
Susan Ives
Ollie Lambert
Connor Martin
Yassee Mohebbi
Adonijah Mpinga
Jonah Nuthak
Andrew Orsie
Charith Peris
Leah Petraglia
Anthony Pulido
Giorgia Renosto
Borna Riazi
Nathan Rusli
Jonathan Schwartz
Michael Severino
Deke Sharon
Alex Siegers
Jacob Spiegler
Betsy Stambach-Fuller
Gary Stroh
Andrea Trevisi
Angela Ugolini
Nason Werth

2026 CARA committee:

Jessica Chen
Ian Wolfe
Forrest Deters
Alexander Koutzoukis
Thomas (TeKay) King

Posted in CARAs