What is a cappella(?)
Very
loosely translated from Italian, a
cappella means "in the style of the
chapel," but today it really means
"singing without instrumental
accompaniment." An a cappella group,
like the Spizzwinks(?) performs all
of its music - lead singers, backup
vocals, and the instrumental parts -
by voice alone.
History of a cappella
A long, long time ago, a cappella
did not yet exist on Yale's campus
or anywhere else in the world. New
Haven was a veritable black hole of
musicianship and camaraderie. In
1909, a light emerged from the
darkness when, with much Pomp and
Circumstance, four members of the
Yale Glee Club formed the Yale
Whiffenpoofs. Though musically
excellent, the Whiffenpoofs were, to
be frank, a bit dull. And so, the
Spizzwinks(?) were born late in 1913
to provide musical excellence with a
light-hearted air. Read the story of
our founding below.
Since then, collegiate a
cappella has evolved and grown into
a phenomenon beyond its humble
beginnings. Today, a cappella has
swept the nation, with hundreds of
groups at universities across the
country performing in every style
from Barbershop to contemporary pop.
Our founding at Mory's Temple Bar
One night, late in 1913, four young
Yale freshmen met at Mory's Temple
Bar, Yale's historic tavern, to pick
a name for their new singing group.
This new group was created to
provide audiences with the musical
quality of the Whiffenpoofs, but
with a more light-hearted air. After
thinking and drinking (perhaps more
drinking than thinking), one of them
glimpsed the ghost of Frank Johnson
- the postmaster of his small Iowa
hometown. Mr. Johnson had gained
notoriety in this town when he
attributed the Great Corn Blight of
1906 to a mythical insect called the
Spizzwink (which only he could see).
The singer jumped up at once.
"That's it!" he shouted. "We'll call
the group ‘The Spizzwinks.’" That
year, the editor of the Yale Banner
was unsure of the spelling of the
fledgling group and added a question
mark in parentheses. The group liked
the look of "The Spizzwinks(?)" and
the parenthetical question mark is
still with us today.
From its historic beginnings at
Mory's, the Spizzwinks(?) tradition
continues on as one of America's
oldest male choirs. Over the course
of their ninety-five-year history, the 'Winks
have left blissful memories of
music, humor and fun for audiences
and members alike.
 |
