Boston University Dear Abbeys
Encyclopedia
The Boston University Dear Abbeys, or Dear Abbeys, are an all male a cappella
group from Boston University
. Since their founding in 1992, the singers have gained a reputation in the Boston
area for "their energetic style of live performance, which blends musical precision with a lighthearted stage presence that can get downright goofy." Membership is limited to current Boston University students, who are typically undergraduates.
In addition to regular appearances at BU and throughout Boston, the Dear Abbeys have performed in various other venues, such as stadiums, weddings, and on street corners. They host one main on-campus concert each semester but also perform for other events, both on-campus and off, during the year. The group has performed outside of Boston, and within the city in local venues such as Fenway Park
and the TD Banknorth Garden
.
students Cooper Olson, Jamie Kilpatrick and Brian Reichelt. Originally called the "Westminster Abbeys," The "Dear Abbeys" moniker became permanent in the fall of 1992. The group is named after Abbey Elmore, who worked in the student activity office and helped the trio gain necessary permissions with the university.
Over the years, the group has grown in both size and experience. In 2005, the Dear Abbeys won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
(ICCA) in New York City, a prestigious nation-wide tournament for collegiate a cappella groups. Since then, they have traveled around the country to cities including Fairbanks, Alaska, and Key West, Florida, holding workshops for local public and private school choir programs.
serves as the mascot for the Dear Abbeys. In the spring of 1992, Cooper Olson created a poster promoting upcoming auditions for the group. After searching several image databases, he attached the largest image available: a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Over the years, the “Abe” logo has been used most forms of Dear Abbeys media. Currently, he is frequently hidden within posters, tickets, and flyers.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. Since their founding in 1992, the singers have gained a reputation in the Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
area for "their energetic style of live performance, which blends musical precision with a lighthearted stage presence that can get downright goofy." Membership is limited to current Boston University students, who are typically undergraduates.
In addition to regular appearances at BU and throughout Boston, the Dear Abbeys have performed in various other venues, such as stadiums, weddings, and on street corners. They host one main on-campus concert each semester but also perform for other events, both on-campus and off, during the year. The group has performed outside of Boston, and within the city in local venues such as Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
and the TD Banknorth Garden
TD Banknorth Garden
TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is named after its sponsor, TD Bank, N.A. and is often simply referred to by local Bostonians as, The Garden, The Fleet Center, or the traditional Boston Garden...
.
History
The Dear Abbeys were founded in February 1992 by Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
students Cooper Olson, Jamie Kilpatrick and Brian Reichelt. Originally called the "Westminster Abbeys," The "Dear Abbeys" moniker became permanent in the fall of 1992. The group is named after Abbey Elmore, who worked in the student activity office and helped the trio gain necessary permissions with the university.
Over the years, the group has grown in both size and experience. In 2005, the Dear Abbeys won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, originally the National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella , is an international competition that attracts hundreds of college a cappella groups each year...
(ICCA) in New York City, a prestigious nation-wide tournament for collegiate a cappella groups. Since then, they have traveled around the country to cities including Fairbanks, Alaska, and Key West, Florida, holding workshops for local public and private school choir programs.
Mascot
Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
serves as the mascot for the Dear Abbeys. In the spring of 1992, Cooper Olson created a poster promoting upcoming auditions for the group. After searching several image databases, he attached the largest image available: a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Over the years, the “Abe” logo has been used most forms of Dear Abbeys media. Currently, he is frequently hidden within posters, tickets, and flyers.