In 1909, at a bar in New Haven, Connecticut, collegiate a cappella was born. It was a seminal moment, to be sure. The Yale Whiffenpoofs (and their first alcohol-infused chords) kick-started a movement that over the next 100 years would come to include more than 1,200 undergraduate a cappella groups on campuses across the nation. Do not underestimate the genre. These vocal bands tour the country. They’ve performed on The Late Show With David Letterman, on Saturday Night Live, on The West Wing. They record albums (some costing upwards of $30,000 to produce). And in unbelievably large numbers, they're covering the songs of Ben Folds.
“Music education has been atrophying,” Ben Folds says. “And yet, at any given school, any number of a cappella groups are getting together a few times a week to rehearse and perform. What’s more is they’re really good.” An idea was born. “If there are thousands of a cappella groups out there,” Ben says, “it must be amazing to sing in them. I wanted to capture that magic.” And so Ben Folds—one part Jane Goodall, two parts Ahmet Ertegun—set out to recruit and record these university a cappella groups. You hold the result in your hands.
Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella
1. NOT THE SAME - The Spartones from Greensboro, NC.
Arranged by Chris Juengel
Recorded in Swain Hall (UNC – Chapel Hill)
2. JESUSLAND - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Loreleis
Arranged by Emily Riehl and Marianne Cheng
Recorded in Swain Hall (UNC – Chapel Hill)
3. BRICK -The Ohio University Leading Tones
Arranged by Brian Powers
Ohio University School of Music’s Recital Hall
4. YOU DON'T KNOW ME - The University of Georgia's With Someone Else's Money
Arranged by Jonathan Sparks
Recorded in Ben’s studio
5. STILL FIGHTING IT - Washington University in St. Louis's Mosaic Whispers
Arranged by Mark Partridge
Recorded in the 560 Music Building – Recital Hall (Washington University)
6. BOXING - Ben Folds
Arranged by Ben Folds
Recorded in Ben’s studio
7. SELFLESS, COLD, AND COMPOSED - The Sacramento State Jazz Singers
Arranged by Kerry Marsh
Recorded in Capistrano Hall, Jazz Rehearsal Room (Sacramento State)
8. MAGIC - The University of Chicago's Voices In Your Head
Arranged by Chris Rishel
Recorded in Chris Rishel’s living room
9. LANDED - The University of Colorado Buffoons
Arranged by Misha Levental
Recorded at Coupe Studios
10. TIME - The Princeton Nassoons
Arranged by Jonathan Schwartz
Recorded in Mathey College Common Room (Princeton University)
11. EFFINGTON - Ben Folds
Arranged by Ben Folds
Recorded in Ben’s studio
12. EVAPORATED - The Newtones from Newton, MA
Arranged by Joel Esher
Recorded in Wellesley Chapel (Wellesley College)
13. FRED JONES PART 2 - The West Chester University of Pennsylvania Gracenotes
Arranged by Courtney Park
Recorded in Mathey College Common Room (Princeton University)
14. ARMY - The University of Rochester Midnight Ramblers
Arranged by Brad Hartman & Dan Gross
Recorded in Havens Lounge, Wilson Commons (University of Rochester)
15. FAIR - University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire's Fifth Element
Arranged by Joe Holtan
Recorded in Masters Recording Institute’s Studio A
16. THE LUCKIEST - The Washington University in St. Louis Amateurs
Arranged by: Joe Argus
Recorded in the 560 Building ballroom (Washington University)
