The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus


The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus, also known as the SOBs, is an all-male a cappella singing group from Yale University. Founded in 1938, The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus is the second longest-running a cappella group in the United States, after the Yale Whiffenpoofs. Alumni of the SOBs have gone on to be founding members of other college a cappella groups such as The Pitchforks of Duke University and The Chorallaries of MIT.

History

On October 31, 1938, twelve Yale undergraduates gathered at Mory's Temple Bar to form an alternative a cappella group to the Yale Whiffenpoofs. The group capitalized on a back-handed compliment received from an audience member: "These SOBs are good!" and formed a backronym.

Music and comedy

The society’s repertoire, which contains over 200 arrangements, is composed entirely of music arranged by current and former members of the group during its more than seven decades of existence. It spans a variety of genres from barbershop to jazz to songs by more contemporary artists like Queen, MIKA, Radiohead, Ariana Grande, Tenacious D, Kanye West and Michael Bublé. In addition to singing, the group prides itself on its comedy, with a typical concert including shtick written by members of the group. Each year, the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus performs across the USA and around the world, typically wearing tuxedos or suits with custom group neckties. They have performed at the White House, La Fortaleza in Puerto Rico, the American Airlines Arena for the NBA team the Miami Heat, as well as at country clubs, yacht clubs, churches, schools and resorts. The SOBs are one of only three groups — along with the Whiffenpoofs and Whim 'n Rhythm — that have a weekly engagement at Mory's Temple Bar.

Discography

The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus records a new album every other year. Since its founding, it has recorded and released 21 albums:
Album titleYear
Songs of the O's and B's1948
The Lost Album1954
Singing with The SOBs1959
Pretty Girl1961
A Toast to the Gods1963
Stepping Out1966
Grapes on Cover1967
The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus1969
Smile Away1972
Greatest Hits1976
An Evening with the Immortals1978
Too Much is Just Enough1981
Intemperance1987
Drinking from Lethe1992
Morning After the Gods1995
Wine in a Box1998
Hot Damn!2003
One for the Road2006
Bandoleros2008
The Continuing Adventures of Cyrus T. Elk and His Fantastical Flying Machine2010
'2012
'2015
2017

The album, Some Pig!, has been reviewed by the Recorded A Cappella Review Board.

Notable alumni