About 300 former members of the Yale Whiffenpoofs will gather on campus for their 90th reunion Nov. 12-14. While the singing group holds major reunions every five years, some members gather together more frequently for songfests and other celebrations -- like those from the Yale College classes of the 1940s, pictured at left, who are shown in the midst of a rousing chorus in the rotunda of Woolsey Hall.

Alumni Whiffenpoofs will reunite for 90th musical 'spree'

They may refer to themselves in song as "poor little lambs who have lost our way," but about 300 former members of the Yale Whiffenpoofs will find a path back to their alma mater Friday-Sunday, Nov. 12-14, for their 90th reunion. The Whiffenpoof alumni will join the current crop of Yale College singers for a weekend designed -- in the words of the song that bears the group's name -- for "gentleman songsters off on a spree," with activities that will take them "to the tables down at Mory's," as well as other campus locations, where "the magic of their singing of the songs we love so well" will undoubtedly "cast its spell." Today known throughout the world, the Whiffenpoofs began at the dawn of the century, when the four men who made up the elite Varsity Quartet agreed to meet down at Mory's (then on the corner of Temple and Crown) for a weekly social with song. The Varsity Quartet was composed of four of the best voices in the Yale Glee Club. By 1909, when the members began their weekly gatherings, the quartet had already become a popular fixture at Yale undergraduate and alumni events along the East Coast, and the songfests soon became a major attraction at Mory's. One of the group members, Denton "Goat" Fowler '09, suggested the singers call themselves the "Whiffenpoofs" after nonsensical lyrics from the Broadway musical comedy, "Little Nemo," by Victor Herbert: "A Drivaling Grilyal yandled its flail, One day by a Whiffenpoof's grave." Along with a new name, the "Whiffs" adopted their own signature song. That tune, "The Whiffenpoof Song," has been variously attributed to Judge Tod B. Galloway (Amherst 1885), to Guy Hamilton Scull (Harvard 1898) and to a traditional African-American spiritual. Over the years, the Whiffenpoofs have grown in number and acquired a tradition rich in ritual and folklore. The Whiffenproofs are seasoned travelers, whose world tours have taken them to 40 countries including Egypt, Nepal, Iceland and Russia. They have appeared on national television, notably "Evening Magazine" and "Saturday Night Live." Over the years, they have recorded 50 albums -- their first in 1927. The Whiffenproofs present more than 150 concerts a year, both on and off campus. They have sung for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton, and were the subject of the off-Broadway play "Poor Little Lambs." Their trip through China inspired the1985 documentary, "Perfect Harmony." There are now 750 living Whiffs, a category that embraces all present and past members. The alumni meet informally throughout the year and reserve every fifth year for their big reunion. Among the activities slated for the Whiffs' 90-year anniversary reunion are two events that are free and open to the public: a concert at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday in Battell Chapel, corner of Elm and College streets; and a performance during the 11 a.m. Sunday service in Battell Chapel. Other reunion weekend activities will include "Whiff Night at Mory's"; master classes by noted "pitchpipes" (the members who set the pitch for the other performers) who created the musical arrangements for some of the group's most popular songs; a "Wine and Song" performance at Sterling Memorial Library; dinner in University Commons; and a post-concert "After Glow" party in the Presidents' Room of Woolsey Hall, followed by singing late into the night in the hall's rotunda. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Levin cited for community leadership Study reveals benefits of new prostate cancer therapy Grant to fund national test of new teaching method Expert on care of minority elders receives nursing field's top honor Alumni Whiffenpoofs will reunite for 90th musical 'spree' Perspectives on Richard Levin Psychologist Kazdin proposes new way to assess the effectiveness of therapies for youngsters Scientists' find vastly enhances computer memory Library gets grant to preserve rare films from Yale's past Yale Art Gallery exhibit traces key themes in American art and design across four centuries Museum joins U.S.-French consortium Marks is new director of Pierson Lab Karl M.Waage, renowned for his geological discoveries, dies Yale scientists to speak at NAS symposium on campus Symposium on global climate change marks anniversary of landmark report Reading to feature letters of Revolutionary War partners U.S. national identity will be topic of talk by noted writer Wrap up your holiday shopping at one-day event And the winners are... Chinese delegates . . . In the News . . . Campus Notes Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page