The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus is the second-longest-running collegiate a cappella group in the nation. We have an enormous repertoire spanning more than seven decades that includes Yale traditionals, jazz, blues, rock and roll, and original compositions. We also pride ourselves on injecting a healthy dose of comedy into our performances to make each concert engaging and unique. Our blend of musical excellence, spontaneity, and laughter has kept audiences around the world entertained for over 70 years and promises to continue to do so for decades to come.

Past Concerts

References

The White House - Washington, DC Orpheus and Bacchus Resort - France Clinton Library, Little Rock, Arkansas The Cloister - Sea Island, GA The Army and Navy Club - Washington, DC The FedEx Forum - Memphis, TN The Adolphus Hotel - Dallas, Texas Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida Ritz-Carlton - Montreal, Quebec and West Palm Beach, Florida The Family Club - San Francisco, CA "Knock First" - ABC Family Old Fort Pub - Hilton Head, South Carolina Ed Sullivan Show - New York, New York Huey's Restaurant Chain - Memphis, TN Yale Club of New York - New York, New York The Chilton Club - Boston, MA The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - Yale singers showcase a cappella talents in Tupelo The Journal Courier - An old press clipping about an upcoming concert from March 9, 1979

"You SOBs are great!" --Al Gore, during a visit to Mory's Temple Bar. "The president admires your work. He appreciates your contributions to the war on terror." --Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, following a brief concert at the White House on 3/8/08. "You guys are incredible!" --Bob Feller, Hall of Fame baseball pitcher, at a concert at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC on 3/22/08. "That was beautiful. I'd like to think that if Jerry were here, he would have been moved to tears as I was." --Phil Lesh, bassist of the Grateful Dead, upon hearing the SOBs perform the Dead's Brokedown Palace The Yale Daily News reports on the SOBs' antics during Winter Tour 2006. The Science Place - talks about the SOB performance!

Party With Us

To book the SOB's for your event, to order a CD, or for more information, please contact Sam Wood, our business manager, at prometheus@thesobs.net

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration and format of a usual concert?

Our concerts usually run between 30 and 60 minutes, according to the preferences of our host. Typically, we intersperse our musical selections with short comedy segments, resulting in virtuosic, light-hearted performances that captivate a wide variety of audiences. Each concert is specially tailored to the crowd and setting, allowing us to sing comfortably in a variety of venues. Whether we are roving around a lobby in suits and ties or serenading a dinner party in full tuxedos, our hosts can choose the type of performance that best suits their event.

What is the extent of the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus' repertoire?

The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus boasts the largest songbook of any Yale a cappella ensemble. Our repertoire spans a wide range of musical genres: jazz standards, folk tunes, barbershop quartets, gospel music, religious traditionals, spirituals, blues, pop, rock and roll, and traditional Yale songs. Additionally, every song we perform is arranged by a current or past group member. We are continually adding to our repertoire, but many of our favorite songs have been sung by the group for over half a century. Every few years we produce a CD; our latest is entitled Bandoleros. Contact us at prometheus@thesobs.net if you would like to receive a copy of this album and/or a detailed list of our current repertoire. In addition, sample clips of the group’s most recent albums are available on this website.

How much does the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus receive per concert?

The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus typically receives $1000-$2500 U.S. Dollars per performance. However, we do not charge a flat fee and pricing is open to negotiation. Although we are a not-for-profit organization, we must be sure that we are able to offset our many travel expenses. As a result, we do not do performances where we receive payment based only on ticket sales.

Who from the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus should I keep in my contact information?

Business Manager (Prometheus)
Sam Wood

We are always available by e-mail and we have a permanent group mailing address at Yale University. The mailing address is:

The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus
PO Box 202064
New Haven, CT 06520
USA

What can you, as the host, expect from the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus?

The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus is the perfect entertainment choice for any event. We pride ourselves on catering our performances to our hosts’ needs, giving every audience an experience to remember. If you would like to receive a publicity packet to show your organization, please do not hesitate to e-mail us at prometheus@thesobs.net. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Donate to Us

The SOB's are a 501(c)3organization, which means that your donation is tax deductable. We have an online donation form which you can use to conveniently send us money.