The Spizzwinks(?), whose name includes the question mark, are a Yale University group that is said to be the oldest underclassman a capella group in the United States, dating back to 1914.

History

In 1913, four young men met at Mory's Temple Bar , Yale's historic tavern, to pick a name for their new singing group to provide audiences with the musical quality of The Whiffenpoofs, but with a more light-hearted air. After thinking and drinking, one of them glimpsed the ghost of Frank Johnson - the postmaster of his small Iowa hometown. Mr. Johnson had attributed the Corn Blight of 1906 to a mythical insect called the Spizzwink. The singer jumped up at once. "That's it!" he shouted. "We'll call the group The Spizzwinks." The editor of the Yale Banner was unsure of the spelling of the fledgling group and added a question mark in parentheses. The group liked the look of "The Spizzwinks(?)" and kept the parentheses to this day.

Music and humor

Their repertoire includes songs by musical legends George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, and Henry Mancini. Over the years, they have mixed in arrangements of songs by Billy Joel, Jeff Buckley, Marvin Gaye, and Isaac Hayes. The Spizzwinks(?) also perform original pieces from alumni.

No Spizzwinks(?) performance would be complete without a generous dose of our unique brand of humor. Each year, the 'Winks also choreograph a dance to one of their songs and to outside music.

Each year, the Yale Spizzwinks(?) perform nearly 100 concerts across the nation and around the world. They have performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall and professional sporting events, and some of the most exclusive country clubs, yacht clubs, schools and resorts in the nation.

Recent World Tours

Spring Tour-05

Winter Tour-04