Gracenotes was founded in 1980 by Sue Vrana and initially was an all-women's a cappella group. The group started off as a quartet, whose repertoire included 40's and swing style music.1 The initial founding members immediately rejected any connection to the Chimes, dismissing the potential group name the "Chimettes." They considered naming themselves the "Belles," but rejected it once they realized there was another group by that name in Trinity College. When Kathy Ursic, an alto in the founding quartet, suggested Grace Notes, the name stuck. The group caught its first big break at the Bicentennial Gala of 1989, where they performed in front of a large group of students, faculty, and alumni. After this performance, more women auditioned for the group and the group became widely known at Georgetown. Today, the Gracenotes are comprised of women and gender minorities.
The group has performed at the White House, Vice President's Residence, and the Kennedy Center. They have released two albums. One of their more recent traditions is pairing up a new member, known as a 'BabyNote', with a senior member, known as a 'MamaNote,' to ensure that inductees are taken care of and settle into the group. The Gracenotes, alongside Georgetown's Phantoms, co-founded and continue to co-host the annual D.C. A Cappella Festival (DCAF), where Georgetown a capella groups, professional musicians, and other university a cappella groups come to perform in Gaston Hall.
- 1Edmondson, Julie. "Grace Notes: Developing a Tradition." The Georgetown Voice, Mar 31, 1987
