Thank you to everyone who joined us for SCSO Rocks! We hope you enjoyed the program! If you were able to attend, please tell Aaron what you thought by emailing him here. This will be an annual event and we want to make it better each year.
We are gearing up for several outstanding programs including The Yale Whiffenpoofs on March 28 & 29 and a riveting program on April 23 & 24 called Coast to Coast, which will be a wonderful celebration of Vero Beach’s 100th Anniversary and a gripping program that transports you across America with music by Gershwin, Copland, Grofe, and two world premieres!
We hope you will join us for both of these amazing programs!
They’re young, cute and nattily attired. They banter, joke around, sing and make everyone they meet feel good. Don’t miss the world famous Yale Whiffenpoofs tonight in Viera and Tuesday in Vero Beach!
As the nation’s oldest a cappella ensemble, the Whiffenpoofs have been sharing music throughout the United States and the world since their founding in 1909. The group combines a unique blend of musicianship, choreography, and showmanship to create a performance suitable for an array of different audiences. Made famous by the signature “Whiffenpoof Song” (which has been covered by artists like Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, and Rudy Vallee), the Whiffs continue their century-old tradition each year with over two hundred performances in venues like Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, and the Rose Bowl. They have been featured on television shows such as NBC’s The Sing Off, The West Wing, The Today Show, 60 Minutes, Gilmore Girls, Jeopardy, Saturday Night Live, and most recently on the Season 4 finale of Glee. The Whiffenpoofs have sang for President Obama at the White House and toured to over 25 countries on 6 continents.
The concert will feature a broad repertoire of exclusively original arrangements– jazz standards, ballads, show tunes, pop and rock music, and humorous numbers.
Founded in 1909, The Yale Whiffenpoofs are the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. The young singers compete in their junior year for one of just 14 coveted spots. In 2018, the Whiffs became co-ed, abandoning gender restrictions and selecting singers on TTBB (Tenor I and II, Baritone and Bass) standards within the world of a cappella singing. As for the goofy name, the silly moniker reflects the atmosphere of levity that accompanies the group. Think Monty Python. Despite being more than a century old, the Whiffenpoofs remain popular
“How many musical organizations do you know that have been around for more than a century, with more fans than ever? They’re infectious. Key word here is ‘fun.”
$30 advance tickets for adults are available through the orchestra website at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at the orchestra’s official ticket outlet, Marine Bank & Trust in Suntree and Vero Beach.
Tickets at the door are $35. The Yale Whiffenpoofs concert is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID.
Season Passes and Flex Tickets are good for this special additional program.
How did the orchestra develop a relationship with the Whiffenpoofs?
This is our ninth time hosting either the Yale Spizzwinks(?) or Yale Whiffenpoofs. A friend of mine who is a Yale graduate contacted me about hosting this dynamic group and every year since, we are the first phone call they make when they book their Florida tour. We have an amazing relationship with them. It’s always great to reconnect with them when they return to Florida.
When was the last time the Whiffenpoofs performed in Brevard?
In 2019. They were scheduled to return and perform in 2021. However, due to Covid-19, their spring tour was cancelled. So I know they are excited to be back on the road performing around the country.
What is it like to attend a Whiffenpoof concert?
It’s a ton of fun. It’s infectious! Their programming immediately connects with both young and old. I am always impressed with their arrangements and presentation of various genres. They have the perfect balance of comedy, wit, and music.
What are you looking forward to most about hearing these performers?
The pandemic has made for an unusual experience for the past three classes of Whiffenpoofs. Their tours have been canceled and albums were delayed. I am excited to meet the new batch of singers and I know they are ready to perform for a live and enthusiastic audience.
Why do you think this is a concert that shouldn’t be missed?
Every year, the most talented senior Yale students are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best known collegiate a cappella group. In 1909, the “Whiffs” began as a senior quartet that met for weekly concerts at Mory’s Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern. Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions, with over a century of musical excellence. The Whiffs have sung for Presidents Obama, W. and H.W. Bush, Clinton, and Reagan and performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Broadway’s Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. In recent years, they have been featured on television shows such as “The Sing Off”, “The West Wing” and “Glee.” I hope people come to see this incredible group of singers. If you love vocal music and enjoy hearing a variety of styles, this is the group for you. They cater to audiences of all ages and tastes. It’s great family fun!