With fifteen a capella groups, including the 100 year-old ensemble the Whiffenpoofs, it’s an understatement to say a capella is big at Yale University.
“It’s fervent at Yale,” Ian Miller said. He’s the music director for one of those fifteen groups, Shades of Yale, and a St. Louisan.
“It’s almost like sports at some other university,” Shades of Yale Tour Manager Hannah Sears added. “It seems like every other person you meet is somehow involved.”
Shade of Yale began 25 years ago, and distinguishes itself from the crowd by focusing on music of the African Diaspora, from R&B to pop.
The group recently performed at a holiday concert at the White House, and is currently in St. Louis to perform three concerts.
Excerpts of two songs by the ensemble were played on air: “Brown Skin” from the 2007 album "Sankofa," and the group’s signature song, a medley of “Amen” and “We Shall Overcome” arranged by the founding members of Shades of Yale.
Related Events
Shades of Yale Sing for CP
Saturday, January 4, 2014
3:30 p.m.
Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn
For more information, call 314-965-2349 or visit the Kirkwood Baptist Church website.
The Missouri History Museum Presents The Shades of Yale
Sunday, January 5, 2014
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Missouri History Museum's McDermott Grand Hall
For more information, call 314-746-4599 or visit the Missouri History Museum website.
Shades of Yale St. Louis Final Jam
Saturday, January 11, 2014
7:30 p.m.
Clayton High School Auditorium, 1 Mark Twain Circle
For more information, visit the Shades of Yale website.
Cityscape is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer, hosted by Steve Potter and funded in part by the the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. Today's show was hosted by Jim Kirchherr of the Nine Network.
