‘The Yale Spizzwinks(?)’ Return to Central Florida
Space Coast Symphony Orchestra hosts lighthearted group for a capella concert
(VERO BEACH, FL) February 27, 2023 – Uber-talented singers with a funny name, The Yale Spizzwinks(?) are America’s first and oldest underclassman a cappella group. Since 1914, they’ve entertained audiences around the world with their close harmony arrangements, energetic style and fast wit. They last visited the area in 2018. Now on spring tour, the group of 16 tuxedo-clad young people will make a stop in Vero Beach on Sunday, March 12 for a 3:00 PM performance hosted by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. The lighthearted singers will present a concert for the general public at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue, 32960. The versatile “Winks” maintain a broad repertoire of original arrangements of jazz standards, ballads, show tunes, pop and rock music – all performed a cappella (without musical accompaniment). The group was formed over 100 years ago to provide audiences with a carefree alternative to the Whiffenpoofs, Yale’s older, all-senior a cappella group. Each year, The Yale Spizzwinks(?) perform over 100 concerts across the nation and around the world. Recent performances include audiences at ESPN, Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney World, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the White House. $30 tickets are available through the orchestra website www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $35. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. NOTE: Season passes or flex tickets will not be accepted for this special concert. For more information about The Yale Spizzwinks(?), call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director, Aaron T. Collins, can’t wait to welcome The Yale Spizzwinks(?) back to Central Florida.
“The Spizzwinks(?) just about brought the house down the last time they were here,” said Collins. “Their rapport with the audience is incredible! We are beyond proud to host another fun concert by these talented young people.”
Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2022-23 season or the Symphony for Everyone discount ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.
OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/user/theyalespizzwinks
ABOUT THE YALE SPIZZWINKS(?) — from https://www.spizzwinks.com/
Our Founding – The Spizzwinks(?) are America’s first underclassman a cappella group. In an age before iPods or reality TV, when the only way to hear singing without instruments was in the shower, we showed the world that a bunch of college guys sporting sweet harmonies and a perplexing name was a winning combination. That’s right – we liked a cappella before it was cool!
Iowan Insects – Like all great stories, the Spizzwink(?) saga begins in 1906 in Iowa, when the state was in the oppressive grip of a massive, inexplicable Corn Blight. Inexplicable, that is, except to one man: a small-town postmaster by the name of Frank Johnson. Mr. Johnson proclaimed to anyone who would listen that the Great Iowa Corn Blight was the handiwork of an insect known as the Spizzwink, which, coincidentally, only he could see. Few took heed of his warning, and the legend of the mythical Spizzwink would have been lost, but for a young boy with a sweet voice from that small town in Iowa, whose greatest ambition was to someday attend Yale University…
Young Yalies – Flash forward to the winter of 1913, where four Yale freshmen – including a certain young man from Iowa – met at Mory’s Temple Bar, Yale’s historic tavern, to decide upon a name for their new singing group. This new group had been created to provide audiences with a light-hearted alternative to the Whiffenpoofs, Yale’s older, all-senior a cappella group, who were known as much for their stodginess as for their musical excellence. After an evening of drinking and thinking (and perhaps more of the former than the latter), our hero glimpsed a strange sight across the table: the ghost of his old postmaster, Frank Johnson. Inspiration struck, and the young singer exclaimed, “That’s it, boys! We’ll call the group the Spizzwinks!”
Erroneous Editors – Later that year, the editor of Yale’s yearbook was unsure of the spelling of the fledgling group and added a question mark in parentheses as an editorial mark. The group liked the look of “The Spizzwinks(?)” and the parenthetical question mark is still with us today.
Today – Since our historic beginning at Mory’s, the Spizzwinks(?) have proudly carried on a tradition of musical excellence and camaraderie as one of America’s oldest choirs. With one eye towards our one hundred year history and the other towards the future, we seamlessly fuse tradition and innovation to bring audiences a unique and unforgettable concert experience.
ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.
Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements. LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor. Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community.
School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID. In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only 19 U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. In addition to maintaining the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, the nonprofit organization also has a youth orchestra and provides numerous separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.
