Chimes
The Georgetown Chimes was founded in 1946 by Francis E. Jones, a graduate student who had served in the Pacific War. Jones wanted to create a group that "emphasized brotherhood and friendship through harmony," which eventually became the Chimes, named after the bells hung on the South Tower of Healy Hall.
Chimes members are assigned a number once they are inducted, with Jones being Chime #1 and the most recent member being #281. The Chimes is rich with its own traditions, cultivated over the past few decades. Most infamous of which is the "Neophyte Process," where students who pass the first round of auditions have to memorize over 150 songs and are tested for their abilities to become officially inducted. This process can take longer than eight months, depending on the inductee. The Chimes is known for the strong bond between members, even after graduation: "Once you are a Chime, you are always a Chime."1 In 1973, when six out of seven Chimes members graduated, faithful Chimes alumni returned to perform with the undergraduate Chimes for scheduled shows until new members could be inducted. Father Gerard F. Yates described the Chimes as a symbol of "A commitment and a loyalty, both personal and institutional."2
The Chimes has performed for the Ed Sullivan show, President Eisenhower, President Ford, President Carter, and have even sung at the Capitol. Every year, the Chimes hosts the Cherry Tree Massacre, an a cappella performance that features on-campus a cappella groups, groups from other universities, and professional musicians.
Gracenotes
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.3 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 cappella groups, professional musicians, and other university a cappella groups come to perform in Gaston Hall.
Phantoms
The Georgetown Phantoms was founded in December of 1988 and was Georgetown's first co-ed a cappella group. They began when a group of friends went Christmas caroling around campus. When Father Davis asked who the singers were, founding member Travis Sutton said, "No one knows where we have come from or where we are going, we are just a group of phantom singers," which led to the group's name to this day.4
The Phantoms established the D.C. A Cappella Festival (DCAF) with the Georgetown Gracenotes in 1991. They have performed at the White House, Blair House, National Museum of Natural History, and the Kennedy Center.
Superfood
Founded in 1997 by Michael Burns ('98), the mixed-gender a cappella group is named after the Odwalla Superfood beverage. Superfood embraces both old classics and the latest popular music. The group has performed for the Georgetown Wall Street Alliance in NYC, the Verizon Center. They have also received first and second place in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Mid-Atlantic Quarter Final.5
Saxatones
The Saxatones is a co-ed "oldies" group that was founded in 2000. The group uniquely focuses on using their music to support their charity partners, including Relay for Life and Best Buddies. They have an extensive and diverse repertoire, including latest pop songs from Taylor Swift to renditions of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The Saxatones consistently perform at major Georgetown showcases including DCAF.
Capitol G's
The Capitol G's were initially founded as an all-male a cappella group but has since then transformed to a co-ed group. They have traveled along the East Coast to perform as well as in Georgetown's Spring Sing, Cherry Tree Massacre, and DCAF. The group mostly performs modern popular music.
- 1McClusky, Bill. "The Chimes: Uniquely Georgetown," The Voice, Apr 22, 1986
- 2Lang, Andy. "Once a Chime, Always a Chime." GU Today, Nov 1975. p.9
- 3Edmondson, Julie. "Grace Notes: Developing a Tradition." The Georgetown Voice, Mar 31, 1987
- 4https://www.guphantoms.com/about
- 5https://www.georgetownsuperfood.com/about
