absolute harmony is a mixed-voice a cappella group formed in 1997 at royal holloway, university of london as 'alternative harmony' by regina yau, who did not feel there was much opportunity for the average student to sing in an informal, unauditioned choir. after the group disintegrated somewhat due to yau taking a year abroad, she returned, influenced by several american collegiate a cappella groups and decided to convert the group into an a cappella group, with a smaller group of members meeting more often to form 'absolute harmony'. the group was instrumental in the inauguration of the first ever british inter-collegiate contemporary championship of a cappella (biccas).