Who are we?

We're the Chorallaries - MIT's oldest coed a cappella group. We make all our music with our voices, from huge solos all the way down to sick drum beats. Who makes them? How about twenty of the best, most talented singers MIT has to offer! Started over January term in the '76-'77 school year, we're comprised of an eclectic group of students coming together from all walks of life to contribute to some serious music-making.

While we enjoy being wildly popular on campus at MIT, we have also gained national recognition through participation in a cappella competitions, production of award-winning CD's, and travel throughout the country. We also happen to be responsible for the infamous Concert in Bad Taste, a yearly night of music and theater where political correctness gets thrown out the window.

All of our repertoire is arranged by group members, so every arrangement you hear from us is 100 percent original! In addition to performing for packed audiences on campus at MIT, we take these songs with us when we hit the road and skies on tour and in competition around the United States and beyond! Our group is unique in that we operate on a three year cycle, each year focusing on a single "major" project:

1. Recording (This year!)

We work behind the scenes to record and produce a full-length studio album for release to the general public. We pride ourselves in doing nearly all of our recording ourselves, giving group members opportunities to learn how to use studio equipment and software to put together the CD, as well as learning the ropes of the CD production process in general. We have our own studio and equipment on campus that we use in conjunction with other recording spaces to lay down our tracks.

Our albums have reached critical acclaim, both on campus and across the country. Our most recent CD, Stereophony (2010), was honored to have one of its tracks, “Hot Air Balloon”, selected for both Voices Only 2010 and Best of College A Cappella 2011, compilation albums of some of the best a cappella tracks from the past year. "Papercut", the opening track on Positive Chorallation (2007) received a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA) nomination for Best Mixed Collegiate Song. "Rainbow Connection", also on Positive Chorallation, was featured on Voices Only 2008.

2. Tour (Coming 2013-2014!)

During a tour year, we spend our Spring Break or part of our January term on Tour, traveling to a location selected by the group and filling our days with performing and sightseeing. We can be found singing in the streets, hanging out and performing with local collegiate a cappella groups, and generally having a great time seeing new places. Our last tour, in the spring of 2011, took us up the coast of California, from L.A. to San Francisco. Our 2007 tour made the journey to New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

Tour year also gives us the opportunity to connect with the future MIT Community - we often sing at MIT Admitted Students' Meetings along our tour route - showing the energy and creativity of MIT students through our performances.

3. Competition (Coming 2014-2015!)

Our group is unique from the other a cappella groups at MIT in that we compete in the International Championships of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCAs, for short). We rehearse tirelessly through our January term to craft and perfect a 12 minute set of three songs that we bring to the stage in late February.

In the 2012 competition, continuing a long record of ICCA achievement, we took second place in the Northeastern Quarterfinals at Boston University and advanced to the semifinals at MIT. You can view our semifinal competition set here!

At our previous competition appearance (in 2009), we took second place in the quarterfinals at Wellesley College, with special awards for Best Soloist (Dianna Cowern '10 for Rainbow Connection), and Best Choreography. In 2006, we had the incredible honor of being named Northeast Champions and traveled to New York City to compete at the International Finals, held in the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

You can purchase either of these albums on the iTunes store. Our older albums are available here.

Stereophony

Positive Chorallation

Do you want to be part of MIT’s oldest co-ed a cappella group?

Sure you do! Every year, once a year, the Chorallaries of MIT hold open auditions for all interested undergrads and grad students to join our close-knit group of singing, performing, and socializing.

The group averages around sixteen members, with approximately four members on each part. However, the Chorallaries pride themselves on being flexible (with singing we mean, but if you can touch your toes, that’s cool too), and on being able to sing a variety of vocal parts as well as do vocal percussion.

Each audition is short (about 10 minutes) and includes a few warm-ups and other exercises followed by a solo of your choice that you sing for us! This is where you really get to strut your stuff, so pick a song that really shows off your voice! (the solo is the only part of the audition that needs to be prepared in advance). The solo doesn’t need to be long or complicated. Just pick a short segment of a song, any song. the Star Spangled Banner, U2, Enya, Mary had a Little Lamb, anything! As long as you think it shows off everything you’ve got to give to the ever-ready ears of the MIT community.

After we hear all of our auditionees, we invite a select group back for callbacks, where you get to sing with current Chorallaries and learn some of our repertoire! We know your schedule is full, so we offer two callback times: one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. In between, enjoy an informal Chorallaries concert and (the best part…) free lunch on us!

Remember, we want you as much as you want us. So come and audition to be a part of the Chorallaries of MIT’s next newbie class!

Still want to know more? Got any questions? Send an e-mail to choral-info@mit.edu and we’ll be happy to get back to you!