Department of Music

• Friday, February 25, 2011
• Old Cabell Hall
• 8:00 p.m.
SOLD OUT (AS OF 1PM ON 2/25)

The two oldest a cappella groups at the University of Virginia and the oldest a cappella group in the country will be coming together for the first time in history. Come see the Virginia Belles, the Virginia Gentlemen and the Whiffenpoofs of Yale in a joint concert in Old Cabell Hall on Grounds at UVA on Friday, February 25th at 8:00 p.m.

The Virginia Gentlemen, established in 1953, and the Virginia Belles, founded in 1977, are the oldest a cappella groups on Grounds, entertaining audiences for decades with their traditional and pop repertoire.  But the real oldies on the block are the Whiffenpoofs, who recently celebrated their 100th anniversary. Founded in 1909, the "Whiffs" began as a senior quartet that met for weekly concerts at Mory's Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern. Today, the group has become one of Yale's most celebrated traditions.  Their performances combine refined musicality, a versatile repertoire, and like their Virginia counterparts, that classic a cappella charm.

During the 2010-2011 season, the Whiffenpoofs will perform over 200 concerts at a wide range of venues. Recently they were one of the featured groups on NBC’s ‘The Sing Off’ which aired last December and catapulted them to temporary rock star status (http://www.whiffenpoofs.com/media/videos.html).  The Whiffs tour domestically during the academic year, and will set off on a world tour from May to August that spans every inhabited continent.  In addition to traveling the globe, one of their goals is to visit as many Whiff hometowns as they can in the course of the year, which is what brings them to our fair town.

Every year, a select group of senior Yale men are chosen to be in the Whiffenpoofs.  In this year’s group of Whiffs is Charlottesville’s own Andrew Maillet.  Andrew graduated from St. Anne’s – Belfield School in 2007 and is pursuing a double major in Music and Humanities at Yale. 

While here, the Whiffs will also make an appearance at Charlottesville High School, Monticello, the Colonnades, and, together with the Virginia Belles, lead workshops and headline a concert at the A Cappella Fest at St. Anne’s – Belfield School on Saturday, February 26th.  This event brings together area high school a cappella groups for a day of a cappella singing and celebration.

Tickets to the Friday concert at Old Cabell Hall are $7/ student and $10/ adult in advance and $10/student and $15/adult at the door.   Tickets may be purchased through the UVA arts box office at http://tickets.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu/single/EventListing.aspx starting Monday, February 7.

For more information, contact Holly Maillet (434) 295-7208, ehmaillet@gmail.com
Additional information about the Virginia Gentlemen: http://www.thevirginiagentlemen.com
Additional information about the Virginia Belles: http://www.vabelles.com/
Additional information about the Whiffenpoofs of Yale: http://www.whiffenpoofs.com/