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My son sang with The Bubs during his years at Tufts. He made life long friendships and traveled all over the US singing. He recorded 2 albums during his time with The Bubs (one was Code Red) and traveled to Paris to perform at Disney. As for the family, we eagerly saw every show at Tufts and hosted the group when they came to Long Island to perform here. What these young men exhibit in addition to their amazing musicality is their CLASS! You become a member of the group and there is a standard, both musically and professionally that you have to maintain. A cappella singing makes good citizens of the world. I rejoice in the music and in its effects.

While my previous "collegiate" singing experience actually ended in high school, I currently sing with a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, where the level of talent is extraordinary. I love the challenge, the creativity, and the camaraderie. While it seems some here are embarrassed to admit they had fun singing, I would be embarrassed if I had to admit that I wasn't doing anything fun.

I was a member of the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus (SOBs) and the Whiffenpoofs at Yale in the early 80's. I had a wonderful time, and made lifelong friends. I have continued to sing throughout my life. Like many other listeners, I noticed John's condescending tone about a cappella. That's too bad - I don't think he'd feel that way if he had ever done it. I can see why it's easy to make fun of people who are trying to be something they're not, be it a rock band or rappers, or easy to dislike out-of-tune singing. But at its best, a cappella is transcendent and glorious, and you feel immersed in this wonderful ocean of beauty. You can't do it sitting home alone; it's a shared effort and a common purpose with like-minded souls. Moments like that are far and few in life, and I treasure them.
Harmony forever!
-Lisle

According to the most recent tax returns (2006) available on Guidestar.org, the Kroks made $200,000, Whiffs made $325,000, and Chanticleer, one of the most successful professional groups in the US, made $2,400,000. I couldn't find tax records of the Nassoons and the Beelzebubs - I guess they are not 501(c)(3).

The Kroks (Harvard) make $300,000 a year? Did any college groups in which you were involved make anywhere near that much? As a former Krok I will treasure that experience to my grave. the music, fellowship and comraderie were spectacular. The joy we provided audiences (120 concerts during my senior year - I rarely went to class!) was priceless.
Keep singing - with or without instruments,
Tim

I used to be in the Tufts Beelzebubs. Best thing I did in college.

I generally enjoy listening to the podcasts of Soundcheck. But I was disappointed to hear John being so patronizing and condescending about collegiate a cappella. He's usually much more open to things of which he knows nothing ... and it's clear that he knows nothing about this.

I never sang in one of these groups, but I like listening to the music.

It's fun. It's hard to do well. It's entertaining and sometimes electrifying for audiences. It makes people feel good. To members, it fosters lifelong friendship and good musicianship. And not all college groups are "cover bands for pop tunes" -- some groups perform complex, varied, and gorgeous arrangements of standards, classical music, jazz tunes, madrigals, etc.

What's not to like?

Embarrassing? Cringe-worthy? Cheesy? Face it, these are concepts to draw eyes to headlines in the PR campaign to sell "Pitch Perfect." (Maybe the "cheesy" rep comes from the fact that there are too many groups and not enough talent to avoid some really bad ones, but that's the bathwater, baby). In reality, the book is affectionate, passionate, and written with a wonderfully light touch.

We can be fashionably snarky about our own supposed geekiness, but let's not flagellate too much. As Rapkin says, it's about music, fraternity, camaraderie. And when the singing is good, it's just really good. No cheese, please.

i was never in one of those groups (my college didn't have them) but am an aficionado of recordings of college acapella groups.

But my absolute favorite tracks are when a group does a good cover of a polyrhythmic song that was originally electronic (like a Radiohead or Aphex Twin cover, some disco, etc), so you get all these layers and the original structure, but rendered more organically. Super!

Mickey,

Good Interview, I sang with the Tufts Bubs years ago and I still sing, and still enjoy listening to the music. I would love to hear more.

p.s. at Fordham University (Bronx, NY)
there are these groups
B - Sides
Ramblers
Satin Dolls

I sang with the Whiffenpoofs a few years back, and it was probably one of the most special experiences in my life. I was actually quite fond of the repertoire, which was composed mostly of jazz and folk arrangements with a special focus on ensemble singing (And none of that cheesy, vocal percussion-ridden imitation of pop or rock), but the main reason I joined the group was for the "world tour." During my membership year (membership is limited to seniors), my group performed in 25 different countries, covering every continent except Antarctica. I rarely paid for a drink during the whole year, as the group frequently covered bar tabs and meals, and yet we still had thousands of dollars left to donate at the end of the year. We sang for celebrities and saw some of the most exclusive clubs and parties in the country - often as guests, not hired help. Granted, many of us will never set foot in those places again, but mixing and mingling with the obscenely wealthy was an interesting experience, to say the least. There are plenty of networking opportunities, and the membership is still a big deal, especially among older alumni. Most importantly, though, I made some great friends through the whole experience, and I have no doubt that all of us will keep in touch for the rest of our lives. So no, I'm not ashamed to have been a part of the collegiate a cappella scene!

I sang in the all-male group at Drew University (whaddup, Mad Ave!). I hadn't sung at all before then, but I couldn't get enough of it... I'm currently singing in Business As Usual, a semi-pro group made up of 4 people I sang with in college. If anyone's interested we'll be doing a concert at Bryant Park on June 26, 5pm!

Anyway I agree with teh earlier comment that there is some condescending going on - understatement - condescension generally runs throughout NPR. It's like they are living in adolescent straitjackets, need approval, don't dare do anything "uncool"

I think part of the disparaging tone is because many of the acapella groups aren't actually that good. Don't get me wrong, when I was at UPenn (hi, Neha!) there were nearly a dozen groups and some were fantastic. But for every group where I thought "wow, that was amazing!" at least another two were completely mediocre and had horrible arrangements.

Perhaps the sheer number of these groups is the problem. Everyone and their brother thinks they can sing well, but often what you think sounds good really doesn't when heard from the other side.

I am a public school music teacher, and my brother was a Yale Whiffenpoof in the early 80's. I loved going to his performances, and I enjoyed both the repetoire and hearing the four-part harmony. From my perspective, the a capella groups are a way for non-music majors to stay involved in music in meaningful way while pursuing other interests. Along the way, the students make life-long friends while they bond over the music. At my brothers wedding, more than half of the Whiffs entertained the gathering. If that's corny, then bring it on.

I don't get why they sing drum parts, unless they're just showing off how clever they are. It's like the "vegetarian chicken" on the menu at some restaurants. If you're going to sing a capella, why not just sing?

one day someone played "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys without instruments - a cappella - it was simply gorgeous! Why do people pick on singing! Laura Nyro used to sing a cappella on street corners and what a contribution she made! (Don't tell me you think she is uncool!)

How times change. At the George Washington University, where I attend, I have maybe two friends in a garage band, but can rattle off about eight friends who are in various a cappella groups.

My favorite group on campus is Emocappella, a group that only sings "emo" songs with a healthy dose of irony and sarcasm.

Not only is Accapella invading colleges, its invading churches. I am a member of a accapella group here in Charlotte, NC at my church. We travel and do shows with various festivals. Our latest was performing at Spoleto USA down in Charleston, SC. So its not only limited to colleges!

Must you really drag us through this? Why not do a special on something equally lame and fake-o . . . like dog shows, little girl beauty pageants, or people who like to sing along to American Idol? The increasing popularity of a capella really illustrates the influx of mindless, cheesy, wannabe-reality-tv-style regurgitation of others' crappy pop music?

My daughter is currently a sophomore at Tufts and is part of the all female a capella group The Jackson Jills. I have heard The Beelzebubs perform a number of times at a capella performances at Tufts -- and they are INCREDIBLE. The musicality and their harmonies are amazing and I'm not quite sure why you are treating it as if its a joke... these kids are talented, devote an enormous amount of time to this (as much as a varsity sport) and its a great part of the college experience.

I grew up listening to "The Swingle Singers," and have participated in a cappella groups all my life, including (award-winning) Sweet Adelines chorus and quartets.

If a group is good, it's the most amazing sound -- with NO instruments.

Pardon me, but SHAME ON YOU for dissing the talents and opportunities a cappella singing offers! They/we do something most people only wish they could.

For me, the campus fame and the exciting concerts were only a small part of my collegiate a cappella experience. The other 5 members of my group, "The Limestones" from St. Olaf College, became my best friends and we would sing with each other whether or not people were listening. Also, the vocal arranging experience I got from the group help me develop skills that I use now on Broadway.

So what's wrong with a cappella? I didn't sing in a collegiate a cappella group, but I tried out for one, sang in a couple choirs, and have been in two choirs in Manhattan since I graduated college five years ago. Troubadours at GW used to sing at Radio City Music Hall, and my brother has been singing a cappella since high school, at the Haverford School (The Notables) and now he sings at Columbia with the Kingsmen (Art Garfunkel is a Kingsmen alumnus). These groups are made up of people who love music, and I can say personally that singing for me is usually pure joy. What's better than singing with a group of people who love to sing, singing music they love listening to? Very different than singing choral music or opera.

I went to a college where acappella was pretty huge. And I am sorry to say that I may have actually paid to attend a concert once. I am so ashamed!!! It is certainly a part of my past that I would like to forget. And I am shocked and a little embarrassed for John Legend.

People like to sing. Clearly the thousands who do enjoy singing for fun don't care that you may think they're dorky.

I was a member of a coed a cappella group in college. While it was fun a times, most of my meories are of the extreme sexism and homophobia of the group. Sometimes, these groups are more like a stereotypical fraternity than people realize: Lots of drinking, lots of vandalism, lots of truly horrible and offensive behavior.

-Jennifer in Manhattan

I was in a NON-collegic acapella group quartet and we always hated those Ivy-League fly-by-night groups. In fact, we tried to crash one of their competitions and we weren't allowed in. Instead we set up outside and drew a larger crowd with our NON top-40 tunes. We were the bad-boys of acapella. Viva La Dion!

I'd like to hear more about how one gains entry to one of these groups. Do you have to audition? How much vocal talent is needed and how much is "acting" chops?

I dated a girl that used to sing at an A capella group from Smith Collage called the Smithereens I designed their CD cover called "pitch a fit" But the funniest thing is that at Smith college they also have a group called crapapella which is form by girls who don't know how to sing but they still want to perform and I tell you they are histerical.

A good friend of mine was Class of 2000 Brandeis University's VoiceMale(get it, they're all guys).
He knows how much i hated when i had to go watch him sing. not that the voices were bad, butit was sooo clawing that i couldnt stand it. I found out they key, it was the vocal procussion...damn them all.

it may be 'pitch perfect', but i find it perfectly awful.

sorry to say i have to turn down the volume when you play the snippets....

a friend of mine at MIT informed me that their a capella groups are called the "logarhythms" and the "chorallaries."

that is all.

More from me: Our group from Wesleyan U, the New Group, records a CD twice a year, and funds the recordings by singing Christmas carols at the local Agway stores!

I used to sing for the Oxford Blues at Haverford College. The name comes from the nickname "Ford" preceded by the sign for women, set on its side. I joinedbecause I loved to sing and to perform. My brother now sings for the Brown Derbies at Brown. Our younger cousin has memorized all the songs on our albums.

But my question is, why do men in a capella groups become famous in a way that women don't? Why is men's a capella more appealing than women's?

Anyone remember the Nylons? They popularized a cappella singing for a few years in the early 80s. Their cover of the Turtles' "Happy Together" was a minor hit at some point.

Your tone is pretty condescending here.

Let's remember that making music is a fun, even joyful experience. Here you are asking "why would anyone want to do this?" You're a music program, do you not know that making music in any form is a worthwhile, enriching experience?

I love a cappella and am a total groupie! I have been in love with a cappella since I saw the Yale Group Mixed Company. Nothing snags my heart like guys in khakis singing in harmony! Thanks for this show!!!

I used to sing in the University of Michigan's club "Amazin' Blue" - yes it was a pun based on the school's colors, maze and blue. We were never cool in the larger campus community but among singers and theater fags we were some hip dudes!

wow, you know, considering the nature of acapella groups, i'd assume people were doing it because they loved singing and performing and it's fun. i mean, i haven't done it so i don't know. but the idea that they're doing it to be famous or have groupies, well, that makes it much dorkier, don't you think?

I was in an a cappella group from 1988 to 1991 at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT). I started the group with two friends after we didn't make it into the other groups that were already there. Last weekend, I went to my group's 20th Anniversary Concert, and it was a blast. It was clear that being in the group was hugely important to the students from a social standpoint, they were best friends, they party together, they go on road trips to other schools to sing. And, someone in our original lineup who I sang with was Daniel Handler, better known as Lemony Snicket.

I sang in a college acapella group at the University of Pennsylvania. We had a cringeworthy name, of which we always were embarassed (the Penny Loafers), but singing acappella defined my college experience. What I liked most was that although we were all different people, with different friends, and members of different sorority/fraternity houses, acappella gave us a bond that transcended those "labels." We had fun together, we worked hard together, and I am still great friends with many of the people in my group. In fact, at a recent wedding, there was a "Penny Loafer table". But I definitely do not willingly share this info unless I'm asked! And worst song- "You Got Me" by the Roots. Nothing is worse than a bunch of Ivy-League preppy kids trying to rap!