Difference between revisions of "A cappella"

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[[Category:Groups]][[Category:Advice]][[Category:Guides]]
 
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There are seven a cappella groups at Williams, which does not include other [[singing]] groups that may perform many pieces a cappella. Many Williams students have been cried that this seems like many for a college of 2000, yet it is [[Amherst]] that claims the nickname of the "singing college" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amherst_College#Amherst_trivia].
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There are currently eight '''a cappella''' groups at Williams. This number does not include other [[singing]] groups that may perform many pieces a cappella. A cappella group performances include mid-semester concerts, end-of-semester concerts, reunion concerts, Mountain Day, and more. In addition to being musical groups, a cappella groups are often extremely social.
  
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The seven are:
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Many Williams students have noted that this many groups seems like a lot for a college of merely 2200, yet it is [[Amherst]] that claims the nickname of the "singing college." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amherst_College#Amherst_trivia]
  
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'''Female-only:''' [[Ephoria]], [[Accidentals]]<br>
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==Active Groups==
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'''Male-only:''' [[Octet]], [[Springstreeters]]<br>
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===Female-only===
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'''Co-ed:''' [[Good Question]], [[Ephlats]]<br>
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*[[Ephoria]]
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'''Special interest:''' [[Elizabethans]] (co-ed)
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*[[Accidentals]], a.k.a. ''Accis''
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===Male-only===
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*[[Octet]]
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*[[Springstreeters]], a.k.a. ''Streeters''
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===All-gender===
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*[[Good Question]], a.k.a. ''GQ''
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*[[Ephlats]]
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*[[Purplexity]]
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===Special interest===
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*[[Purple Rain]]
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===Former groups===
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*[[Aristocows]]
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*[[Elizabethans]]
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*[[Waterstreeters]]
  
 
== Traditions ==
 
== Traditions ==
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=== Auditions ===
 
=== Auditions ===
  
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Because of the number of a cappella groups that all wish to recruit primarily freshmen, at around the same time (at the start of the fall, starting with the [[Purple Key Fair]]), auditions for all a cappella groups are usually held in two weeks. Audition times overlap, but applicants choose time slots and are given enough choices that they may try for all the groups they wish.
+
Because of the number of a cappella groups that all wish to recruit primarily freshmen, at around the same time (at the start of the fall, starting with the [[Purple Key Fair]]), auditions for all a cappella groups are usually held in two weeks. Audition times overlap, but applicants choose time slots and are given enough choices that they may try for all the groups they wish.
 +
 
 +
When applicants to groups are called back to multiple groups, they rank their order of preference of the groups they are trying for. If accepted by multiple groups during the [[Ephcappella]] member selection meeting, this ranking will determine which they join. It is unknown for a person to be a member of more than one a cappella group concurrently. Sometimes, groups will hold spring semester auditions to keep their rosters full.
  
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When applicants to groups are called back to multiple groups, they rank their order of preference of the groups they are trying for. If accepted by multiple groups, this ranking will determine which they join.  It is unknown for a person to be a member of more than one a cappella group concurrently.
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Historically, the Aristocows did not hold auditions, unlike other groups. Their deactivation as of the 2024-25 academic year marks the local extinction of no-cut a cappella at Williams.
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<!-- === Singing In New Members ===
 
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It is tradition to notify new inductees of their membership by "singing them in."  In this ritual, the current members of the group taking them will take efforts to find a time that the person will be in a certain place, often their [[entry]], and sometimes while they're asleep.  The whole group will then gather outside the door, or otherwise near the person, and sing an often-traditional song of their choosing.  When the entry of the inductee also contains a rejectee, efforts are taken to ensure that the latter is not at home. -->
 
  
 
== Songs Groups Should Do ==
 
== Songs Groups Should Do ==
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Here's what the masses are demanding from Williams a cappella.  Add songs it would be cool to hear.  If applicable, include what group should do it, who should solo, link to an arrangement, encouraging words, etc.
 
Here's what the masses are demanding from Williams a cappella.  Add songs it would be cool to hear.  If applicable, include what group should do it, who should solo, link to an arrangement, encouraging words, etc.
 
<!-- please alphabetize! !-->
 
<!-- please alphabetize! !-->
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:'''3 Libras''' by A Perfect Circle.  Dunno who should do it, but I've heard it done very well by co-ed groups before
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:'''3 Libras''' by A Perfect Circle.  Dunno who should do it, but I've heard it done very well by co-ed groups before (i.e. OTB version [http://www.offthebeat.net/music/clips/OTB11/Three%20Libras.mp3 here]).  Doesn't sound like Maynard James Keenan and therefore must never listened to by anyone.
 +
:'''Alcohol''' by Barenaked Ladies.  Springstreeters or Octet
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:'''Bananaphone''' by Raffi.  I could care less, but any group who did this song would officially become my favorite group
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:'''Blurry''' by Puddle of Mudd.  Any all-male or co-ed group.  Listen [http://www.stanfordharmonics.com/albums/shadowplay/blurry.mp3 here]
 +
:'''Bohemian Rhapsody''' by Queen.
 +
:'''Californication''' by Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Ephlats or GQ
 +
:'''Can't Take My Eyes Off of You''' by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Octet or Springstreeters.
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:'''Chicago''' by Sufjan Stevens.  Ephoria or Accies.  Performed by the Ephlats [[Spring 2006]].
 +
:'''C'est La Vie''' by B*Witched.  Ephoria or Accies, maybe with some Irish dancing.  (Performed by GQ sometime in 2008-09).
 +
:'''Do You Love Me?''' by The Hollies.  Octet.
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:'''Every Woman In The World''' by Air Supply.  Co-Ed singers willing to sell it, and backup ready to get very teary.  Anything by Air Supply, really, would be a kick.
 +
:'''Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me''' by Tism.  Any group, probably co-ed.
 
:'''Fat Bottom Girls''' by Queen.  Springstreeters or Octet.
 
:'''Fat Bottom Girls''' by Queen.  Springstreeters or Octet.
 +
::Octet just pounced that.
 +
:'''Freebird''' by Lynyrd Skynyrd, as performed by Phish. Either all-male or mostly male.
 +
:'''Hounds of Love''' by The Futureheads (A Kate Bush cover). Any group.
 
:'''Just A Friend''' by Biz Markie.  Springstreeters or GQ
 
:'''Just A Friend''' by Biz Markie.  Springstreeters or GQ
 
:'''Lady Marmalade''' (''Moulin Rouge'' version.  Elizabethans.)  [While it would be interesting if the 'Bethans did this song, it should be noted that the Ephlats performed the "Moulin Rouge" version this fall.]
 
:'''Lady Marmalade''' (''Moulin Rouge'' version.  Elizabethans.)  [While it would be interesting if the 'Bethans did this song, it should be noted that the Ephlats performed the "Moulin Rouge" version this fall.]
 
:'''Last Night''' by The Strokes.  Octet or Springstreeters
 
:'''Last Night''' by The Strokes.  Octet or Springstreeters
 +
:'''Love Shack''' by B-52s.  It is a sin that no co-ed group seems to have done this yet.
 +
::Actually, GQ did this around '02 or '03.  It was awesome.
 +
:'''Me and Mrs. Jones''' by Billy Paul.  Octet or Springstreeters
 +
:any and every song by '''Meatloaf'''.  Might have to abridge them a little . . . or not.  The famous baseball announcer bit in ''Paradise By The Dashboard Light'' is a must-do; co-ed group probably required
 +
:'''Mr. Roboto''' by Styx. It'll never happen, I know.  Actually, an arrangement is in the works by a certain co-ed group.
 
:'''My Heart Will Go On''' Streeters or Octet.
 
:'''My Heart Will Go On''' Streeters or Octet.
 +
:'''The Oompa Loompa Song''' from ''Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory''.  A co-ed or maloe group making heavy use of falsetto.  Maybe best for an intermission or skit piece, due to high repetitiveness, but high comedic potential no matter what.
 +
:'''The Memory Remains''' by Metallica...Metallica?  Are you kidding?  Actaully, the Stanford Harmonics do a pretty kick-ass rendition [http://www.stanfordharmonics.com/albums/shadowplay/memrem.mp3 here]  Are you kidding me?  Do you honestly think Metallica wants some douchy a capella group doing their songs?  Don't disrespect legends of a genre that already gets too little respect as is.  Uh, certain people need to lighten the fuck up.
 
:'''The Reason''' by Hoobastank.  Ephlats or GQ
 
:'''The Reason''' by Hoobastank.  Ephlats or GQ
 
:'''The Remedy''' by Jason Mraz.  Octet or Ephlats
 
:'''The Remedy''' by Jason Mraz.  Octet or Ephlats
 +
:'''There Must Be An Angel''' Ephoria or Accidentals.
 +
:'''Ultimate Cheeseburger''' by the Meaty Cheesy Boys. Springstreeters or Octet.
 +
:'''We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off To Have A Good Time''' by Jermaine Stewart.  Lead's a smoky female voice, so any group/soloist will do, and the lyrics will not disappoint.
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:'''Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?''' by Rockapella.  'Nuff said.
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:'''[http://www.mit.edu/people/patil/yatta.html Yatta!]''' by Happatai
  
 
== Songs Groups Should Never Do/Stop Doing ==
 
== Songs Groups Should Never Do/Stop Doing ==
  
 
Yeah, maybe that five-minute guitar solo won't ''really'' sound too hot as a human voice ensemble.  Here are the songs people want to warn groups away from, for whatever reasons.
 
Yeah, maybe that five-minute guitar solo won't ''really'' sound too hot as a human voice ensemble.  Here are the songs people want to warn groups away from, for whatever reasons.
 +
 +
 
<!-- please alphabetize! !-->
 
<!-- please alphabetize! !-->
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:'''Devil Went Down To Georgia,''' Charlie Daniels Band.  The fiddle is critical.
 +
::This person obviously has not listened to the Middlebury Dissipated Eight's version of this song.  Excellent, fiddle and all.
 +
:::[http://community.middlebury.edu/~eight/outoftheashes.html Heard it.] Unconvinced.

Latest revision as of 16:21, September 26, 2024

This article is a stub. You can help Willipedia by expanding it.

There are currently eight a cappella groups at Williams. This number does not include other singing groups that may perform many pieces a cappella. A cappella group performances include mid-semester concerts, end-of-semester concerts, reunion concerts, Mountain Day, and more. In addition to being musical groups, a cappella groups are often extremely social.

Many Williams students have noted that this many groups seems like a lot for a college of merely 2200, yet it is Amherst that claims the nickname of the "singing college." [1]

Active Groups

Female-only

Male-only

All-gender

Special interest

Former groups

Traditions

Here are some traditions of Williams a cappella in general (specific group traditions are on group pages).

Auditions

Because of the number of a cappella groups that all wish to recruit primarily freshmen, at around the same time (at the start of the fall, starting with the Purple Key Fair), auditions for all a cappella groups are usually held in two weeks. Audition times overlap, but applicants choose time slots and are given enough choices that they may try for all the groups they wish.

When applicants to groups are called back to multiple groups, they rank their order of preference of the groups they are trying for. If accepted by multiple groups during the Ephcappella member selection meeting, this ranking will determine which they join. It is unknown for a person to be a member of more than one a cappella group concurrently. Sometimes, groups will hold spring semester auditions to keep their rosters full.

Historically, the Aristocows did not hold auditions, unlike other groups. Their deactivation as of the 2024-25 academic year marks the local extinction of no-cut a cappella at Williams.

Songs Groups Should Do

Here's what the masses are demanding from Williams a cappella. Add songs it would be cool to hear. If applicable, include what group should do it, who should solo, link to an arrangement, encouraging words, etc.

3 Libras by A Perfect Circle. Dunno who should do it, but I've heard it done very well by co-ed groups before (i.e. OTB version here). Doesn't sound like Maynard James Keenan and therefore must never listened to by anyone.
Alcohol by Barenaked Ladies. Springstreeters or Octet
Bananaphone by Raffi. I could care less, but any group who did this song would officially become my favorite group
Blurry by Puddle of Mudd. Any all-male or co-ed group. Listen here
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ephlats or GQ
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Octet or Springstreeters.
Chicago by Sufjan Stevens. Ephoria or Accies. Performed by the Ephlats Spring 2006.
C'est La Vie by B*Witched. Ephoria or Accies, maybe with some Irish dancing. (Performed by GQ sometime in 2008-09).
Do You Love Me? by The Hollies. Octet.
Every Woman In The World by Air Supply. Co-Ed singers willing to sell it, and backup ready to get very teary. Anything by Air Supply, really, would be a kick.
Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me by Tism. Any group, probably co-ed.
Fat Bottom Girls by Queen. Springstreeters or Octet.
Octet just pounced that.
Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd, as performed by Phish. Either all-male or mostly male.
Hounds of Love by The Futureheads (A Kate Bush cover). Any group.
Just A Friend by Biz Markie. Springstreeters or GQ
Lady Marmalade (Moulin Rouge version. Elizabethans.) [While it would be interesting if the 'Bethans did this song, it should be noted that the Ephlats performed the "Moulin Rouge" version this fall.]
Last Night by The Strokes. Octet or Springstreeters
Love Shack by B-52s. It is a sin that no co-ed group seems to have done this yet.
Actually, GQ did this around '02 or '03. It was awesome.
Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul. Octet or Springstreeters
any and every song by Meatloaf. Might have to abridge them a little . . . or not. The famous baseball announcer bit in Paradise By The Dashboard Light is a must-do; co-ed group probably required
Mr. Roboto by Styx. It'll never happen, I know. Actually, an arrangement is in the works by a certain co-ed group.
My Heart Will Go On Streeters or Octet.
The Oompa Loompa Song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. A co-ed or maloe group making heavy use of falsetto. Maybe best for an intermission or skit piece, due to high repetitiveness, but high comedic potential no matter what.
The Memory Remains by Metallica...Metallica? Are you kidding? Actaully, the Stanford Harmonics do a pretty kick-ass rendition here Are you kidding me? Do you honestly think Metallica wants some douchy a capella group doing their songs? Don't disrespect legends of a genre that already gets too little respect as is. Uh, certain people need to lighten the fuck up.
The Reason by Hoobastank. Ephlats or GQ
The Remedy by Jason Mraz. Octet or Ephlats
There Must Be An Angel Ephoria or Accidentals.
Ultimate Cheeseburger by the Meaty Cheesy Boys. Springstreeters or Octet.
We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off To Have A Good Time by Jermaine Stewart. Lead's a smoky female voice, so any group/soloist will do, and the lyrics will not disappoint.
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? by Rockapella. 'Nuff said.
Yatta! by Happatai

Songs Groups Should Never Do/Stop Doing

Yeah, maybe that five-minute guitar solo won't really sound too hot as a human voice ensemble. Here are the songs people want to warn groups away from, for whatever reasons.


Devil Went Down To Georgia, Charlie Daniels Band. The fiddle is critical.
This person obviously has not listened to the Middlebury Dissipated Eight's version of this song. Excellent, fiddle and all.
Heard it. Unconvinced.
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