Viva Voce, the all-female a cappella group from Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS), placed fourth at the Varsity Vocals 2025 International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) Midwest Quarterfinal, continuing their impressive tradition of musical excellence.

Founded in 2016 under the leadership of Leah Alrutz, Choral Music and Theater Director at Ladue Middle School, Viva Voce has become a staple of the Ladue Schools community’s performing arts scene. 

This year’s vocal ensemble includes 16 talented high school girls who are regularly invited to perform at various district events, including the LHWHS 2024 Graduation, 2024-2025 Convocation, and the Ladue Chili Cook-Off. Their hard work earned them a spot at the international competition in Liberty, MO, where they competed against 10 top high school programs from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Southern Illinois, and Missouri.

“This group is made up of some of the most dedicated and talented treble voices in the district,” Alrutz said. “They rehearse at 6:30 a.m. before school once a week and had been adding extra rehearsals on Sunday afternoons to prepare for the competition. I am so proud of the hard work and creativity that they have poured into their set. Each student played an important role in creating all the sounds in an A cappella arrangement and represented Ladue well with a positive attitude. They were already planning ideas for next year when we left the competition!” 

This year’s ICHSA Midwest Quarterfinal marks another milestone in Viva Voce’s competitive history. Over nearly a decade of competition, they have consistently demonstrated their talent:

• 2025: ICHSA 4th Place Quarterfinalist
• 2024: ICHSA 4th Place Quarterfinalist
• 2023: ICHSA Quarterfinalist
• 2022: ICHSA 3rd Place Quarterfinalist, Semifinalist
• 2021: ICHSA Virtual Quarterfinalist
• 2020: ICHSA 4th Place Quarterfinalist
• 2019: ICHSA Quarterfinal Runner-Up, Outstanding Soloist – Menea Kefalov, Semifinalist
• 2018: ICHSA Quarterfinal Champion, Outstanding Soloist – Menea Kefalov (Quarterfinal & Semifinal), Semifinalist

Viva Voce’s musical excellence continues with their next performance at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Spring Concert on May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. 

Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating the achievements of these outstanding young musicians!