The Yale Alley Cats are the first of two longstanding college a cappella groups that will be performing on campus this fall. 

The Alley Cats will work with members of the Loomis Chaffee Acapelicans at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 10, followed by an 8 p.m. concert in Hubbard Performance Hall. Their visit is co-sponsored by the Jed Bradley Fund, Student Activities, and the Performing Arts Department.  

The second group, the MIT Logs, will perform on November 10 in Hubbard from 1:15 to 2:05 p.m. There is no workshop. The MIT Logs visit is sponsored in part by the Jed Bradley Fund and Stookins Guest Musician Funds. 

“I am excited to welcome the Yale and MIT groups onto campus this fall because I am sure our group will learn much from them,” said senior Sophie Singer, one of the leaders of the Acapelicans. The other leaders are senior Sophie Posamentier and junior Piney Arkaleephan. 

The Alley Cats, founded in 1943, have performed around the world and for many public figures, including former President Barrack Obama and the late Queen Elizabeth II, and have released dozens of albums, according to their website. One of their promotional photos shows the Alley Cats in formal dress with this caption: “For formal occasions and settings, we dress in tails (naturally).” 

In the spring of 1949, a group of MIT students came together to form the Logarhythms, the first a cappella group at MIT, according to their website. The MIT Logs celebrated their 75th anniversary in March with many former members coming back to MIT for the event. 

Many Loomis students requested bringing a cappella groups to campus, said Susan Chrzanowski, the Performing Arts Department head and choral/vocal director. “Prior to COVID,” she said, “we’d feature at least two groups a year, so we are excited to feature two groups this fall.” 

Excitement extends to the Acapelicans as they gear up for their activities this school year.  

“This year, the Acapelicans took on four new members, and we look forward to having an exceptionally strong group,” Sophie Posamentier said. 

“Something that appeals to me about being in an a cappella group,” Sophie Singer said, “is the community that forms around people who love to sing and the excitement we all get when a harmony is perfect. I also love how we stay gathered as a group after meetings to sing whatever songs come to mind.” 

The performances by the Alley Cats and the MIT Logs are open to the public.