A capella is a big part of Yale’s culture. Whether it is a Saturday night show, a benefit concert in Sudler Hall, or just a random gig, there is always something musical happening on campus. There are three female groups, five male groups, and five mixed groups that are composed of freshmen through seniors. Each has a different style and a unique sound, but they are all awesome in their own way.
However, you do not have to be able to sing in tune to be a Yalie! Let’s be honest: I can’t sing for my life. As much as I would like to believe that the tunes I hum in the shower are worthy of a record label, that would be far from the truth. Nevertheless, I love to sing and I seem to always have a tune stuck in my head.
When I got to Yale, pursuing a capella or music was definitely not a priority. I gave up on the trumpet years ago and devoted myself to the fine arts. But I found a culture of freshmen that did not need an organized group to sing and have a good time together. We started to meet up on Friday nights and gradually developed a home for our small group under the Vanderbilt arch. The arch has the perfect acoustics, and we always manage to stay dry even in the worst weather conditions.
After a week full of classes, I always look forward to Friday nights and singing under the arch. It gives me the opportunity to exhale, meet new people, and just relax! Contrary to popular belief, life at Yale is not all about hitting the books 24/7 or joining ten different clubs to bulk up your resume. Life at Yale is all about being part of a community, and singing a tune (or out of tune, in my case!) with new friends on a Friday night.
