I was recently accepted to Yale and I plan to rush an a cappella group. I think I understand the process pretty well but I was wondering about the types of people in each group. I know you can’t stereotype groups but are certain groups more focused on music ability rather than the social aspect of it, or vice versa? It seems to me that for the male groups, the Alley Cats, SOBs, and Spizzwinks sing more classical music and probably rehearse more whereas the Baker’s Dozen and Duke’s Men seem more relaxed. Of course I could be completely wrong about this. Could anyone (hopefully a current student) speak to this?
Congrats! Regarding the process, if you haven’t taken a look at yalesgc.com, start there. It has a full description of the rush groups and a list of all participating groups. My son is a freshman and went through this rush this year. He is now a happy member of one of the male groups. I’ve asked him about the “personalities” of each, but I can’t recall the details. But, you will have plenty of time to figure this out when you get there. If you go to bulldog days, you can see the groups perform and meet the current members. In the fall, you will again get to hear all of the groups. Then, when you rush, the rush meals are really for you and the current members to get to know each other. You can see if you are comfortable with the group and ask any questions. Because the groups spend a lot of time together, I think they really look at “fit” and you should also. You don’t want to end up traveling with a bunch of guys you don’t like.
Also, each group has a website where you can get a feel for the group, and especially the music they sing. I’m not sure what you consider classical. Some dress up in suits or tails ( I think two or three of them) so that gives them a more formal feel, but that doesn’t mean they are too serious.
Yale is a great place to sing a Capella! There are many groups and there is a very supportive culture. Tap night seems like a really big deal. Some of these groups travel the world - just a fantastic opportunity. It also gives you a group of friends very early in your first semester. PM me if you have specific questions and I can get more answers from my son.
Thanks @Musicmom2015 ! I’ve read the descriptions of each group but I didn’t know how accurate or outdated they were. Recently one group came to perform at my school and they were a very eclectic and quirky bunch, with lots of corny jokes and skits in between songs, so I began to wonder about what the other groups were like. This group also sang pieces in foreign languages as well as American “standards” rather than contemporary radio songs so I was just curious.
These groups can change over time, so what’s really important is how you get along with the guys you meet during the rush process. Some groups may be a bit more musically serious than others, and some may be a bit more social, but they’re all pretty musical and pretty social. My observation has been that the repertoire of the all-male groups is pretty similar–if you want something different, you can also look at some of the coed groups, which have more variety. You could also consider the Glee Club, which is musically serious but also social in the context of a much larger group.
My daughter is in one of the groups. She had attended a concert mix at Bulldog days and started by finding a group that sang songs she could relate to and enjoy. Then during the rush period she had rushed several groups because although she liked the music, she wanted to make sure that there was also a personality fit. You will meet with and eat with members of the groups during the rush process. You may find out that you like the personalities of one more than another or even their commitment to the music more than if you like the people. Keep in mind that this is not a one sided selection and many that rush do not make the cut. They are all looking to enhance the quality of their performances. Many groups are only looking for specific vocal parts. You will first pick who you want to court you and then they will spend time getting to know you. At the end, any of the groups that want you to join them will ask you. Then you will get the chance to choose. If none have asked you then unfortunately you will have to try again the next year. From what I understand, it is more intense of a process than even the Greek system. There is a very descriptive explanation on the yalesgc.com page. I would start there. Good luck! And congrats on your acceptance!
This probably reflects a systematic difference between a cappella at Yale and elsewhere. All of the significant men’s groups have been around for 70+ years, and the most influential/elite of them, the Whiffenpoofs (which is really a senior all-star group selected mostly, but not exclusively, from the stars of the other groups) is over 100 years old. All of them have signature repertoires that reflect their entire histories, and include things like folk songs, spirituals, novelty songs from the 1920s, and American Songbook classics from the 30s - 40s. Current or recent pop songs get added (and subtracted) all the time – and I think that happens more now than it did in the past – but I don’t believe any of the groups has current or recent songs as the heart of its repertoire. (If any does, that’s a recent development).
The Whiffenpoofs still open every concert with a traditional Czech folk song about hiking through the mountains, and end it with The Whiffenpoof Song, which is only a bit younger than the group itself. Their “tap” song is a satire of temperance hymns, that sounds like it dates to the teens or twenties of the last century. History is very present with Yale a cappella groups.
Elsewhere, a lot of collegiate a cappella consists of doing a cappella arrangements of current radio songs or classic rock/R&B, and 80% or more of the repertoire turns over every few years. That has influenced the Yale groups, especially newer ones, but it’s not the rule at Yale.
@Hunt I’ll definitely audition for the Glee Club if a cappella doesn’t work out, because I’ve enjoyed their performances that I’ve seen on YouTube.
@JHS I think that just adds to the attractiveness of Yale’s a cappella scene; it’s refreshing to hear a cappella without a beatboxer.
I think I’m just anxious because I saw a statistic that said ~80 people audition for each group and each group only accepts ~6 people. Can anyone speak more on the level of competition at auditions? To the parents who have children in a cappella groups, how much musical experience have they had?
In my daughters case (because its all I can offer)
She had a lot of experience singing before this. She even had experience in A Capella arrangements. She was a regional chorus participant and had performed with musical theater for 6 years. She had also performed a live solo performance on a national stage this past summer so her fear of performing in front of an audition panel was not an issue. She has a wide vocal range and a very unique bell quality to her voice and so that set her apart. I was told that they had close to 30 auditions for 4 spots. They only needed specific vocal parts and so even though there were great singers that had auditioned, there were only so many parts that they needed to fill.
Is she American Idol quality? No, she would probably not even make it to Hollywood. She is very good but not incredible so there is also that.
I would suggest that you really open your mind to each group and audition for several. It is possible to be tapped for more than one and then you can choose. But keep in mind that it is also possible that they are not looking for your vocal range this year.