Bulldog News

Whiffenpoofs bring holiday cheer

Monday, November 23, 2009

A highlight of Hillside School’s Thanksgiving festivities this year included a special performance by the Yale University Whiffenpoofs, the acclaimed a capella group that is currently celebrating its 100 year anniversary.

Prior to the Whiffenpoofs November 18 performance in Hillside’s Tracy Gymnasium, members of the school’s drama and vocal music club were treated to an exclusive workshop with the Yale University singing group.

Through the workshop, Hillside students learned how the Whiffenpoofs artfully blend falsetto, tenor, bass and other vocal ranges among their members to create harmonies that have charmed audiences for decades.

The group members led the Hillside students in several of their time honored, warm-up vocal exercises and then demonstrated their expertise by singing such favorites as “On Broadway” and “Time After Time,” a song written especially for the Whiffenpoofs.

Immediately following the workshop, the entire Hillside School community was treated to a performance by the Whiffenpoofs. The group delighted the audience with a diverse offering of songs from 1950s-type a capella classics to gospel influenced melodies, such as “By The Waters of Babylon,” as well as comedic routines that included a good natured barb at rival, Harvard University.

Many of the arrangements also featured solo performances that displayed the talents of individual Whiffenpoofs. The audience offered enthusiastic applause at the conclusion of the very special presentation that helped launch the holiday season on the right note.

Keiji Ishiguri (left) leads group exercises with (left to right): Patrick Doran '11, Whiffenpoof Evan Gogel, Napoleon Sylvester '13, Ross Osae '11, and Whiffenpoof Michael Lavigne.

Practicing vocal harmonies during the Nov. 18 workshop (left to right): Ryan Okita '12, Whiffenpoof Scott Hillier, Ross Osae '11 and Whiffenpoof Evan Gogel.

The Whiffenpoofs perform in concert at Hillside School.