The Spizzwinks


The Spizzwinks, stylized as The Spizzwinks, are an a cappella singing group of male students from Yale University. Founded in late 1913, the Spizzwinks are the oldest underclassman a cappella group in the United States, dating back to a first performance in early 1914.
Composed of sixteen college-aged men, the Spizzwinks perform internationally, touring to every continent within a three-year term. The group is also a 501 organization, meaning that the group is a non-profit organization.

History

In 1913, four young men met at Mory's Temple Bar, Yale's historic tavern, to create a light-hearted alternative to the more serious Whiffenpoofs. They decided upon the "Spizzwinks," a reference to a mythical creature to which the Corn Blight of 1906 had been whimsically attributed. Because the editor of the Yale Banner was unsure how to spell the fledgling group's name, he added a question mark in parentheses to the headline announcing its foundation. The group liked the look of "Spizzwinks" and has officially adopted the symbol as both a part of its name and as a logo.

Music and humor

The Spizzwinks' repertoire comprises music arranged entirely by current and former members of the group, including a mixture of traditional Yale songs, songs by composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, and more modern artists like Queen, MIKA, fun., The Beatles, and Adele. The group values a signature "laugh of loud" humor, and a typical concert includes a variety of skits and other comedy.
Each year, the Yale Spizzwinks perform over 100 concerts across the nation and around the world, typically in tuxedos or tails. They have performed at the White House, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, US State Department, professional sporting events, as well as at country clubs, yacht clubs, churches, schools, and resorts. The group sells CDs and other merchandise to raise funds for their touring, as they are completely self-funded.

Notable alumni