Collection Overview

Title

The Gentlemen of the College Records, 1990-[ongoing]

ID

UA 7.006

Extent

4.5 Cubic Feet

Primary Creator

Gentlemen of the College (1990-)

Other Creators

Fitch, Michael T.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into five series: Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1990-1998; Series 2: Audiovisual Material, 1990-2000; Series 3: Photographs, 1990-2000; Series 4: Administrative Records, 1990-2005; and Series 5: Publicity Material, 1990-2006.

Date Acquired

05/14/1993

Forms of Material

Constitutions, Correspondence, Fliers (printed matter), Lapel Pins, Negatives, Photographs, Programs, Rosters, Scrapbooks, Sound Recordings, Sweat shirts, T-shirts, Video recordings

Languages

English

Restrictions

Access

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Use

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The records of the College of William and Mary men's a capella group Gentlemen of the College include internal and external correspondence related to public performances; the constitution and by-laws; fliers advertising performances and auditions; a history of the group; membership lists; photographs; an extensive collection of audiovisual material documenting both live performances and studio sessions; and several scrapbooks. A portion of the collection was created to mark the group's 10th and 20th anniversaries, but material from throughout the group's history available.

Biographical Note

The Gentlemen of the College, a men's a cappella group at the College of William and Mary, was organized in January 1990 and formally recognized by the Office of Student Activities in November 1990. Founding members identified in a photograph taken in Fall 1990 include Doug Stambler, class of 1992, and Michael Fitch, class of 1993. As of December 2007, the group remains active on campus and is the oldest men's a cappella group at the College of William and Mary.  The group performs live many times throughout the academic year. Performances are both on and off campus in the Williamsburg area in addition to their annual spring tour and any competitions in which they compete throughout the year.  The group performs barbershop standards in addition to more modern tunes with traditional a cappella arrangements. Typically the group will consist of anywhere from 10-15 members. Their performances are known for lively antics during the songs and the comedy skits performed between numbers.  Every academic year ends with a Gentlemen of the College final concert in Phi Beta Kappa Hall. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: <a href="http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/wiki/index.php/Gentlemen of the College">http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/wiki/index.php/Gentlemen of the College</a>.

Subject/Index Terms

• College of William and Mary--Alumni and Alumnae.
• College of William and Mary--Students.
• Music
• Student Organizations

Box and Folder Listing

Series 2: Audiovisual Material, 1990-2010

The Gentlemen of the College have amassed a vast collection of CDs, cassettes, VHS, DAT, VHSC, Hi8, reel-to-reel, as well as zip drives of album artwork.  This collection documents both live performances by the group as well as studio sessions recording their albums.

Box 8

Item 1: "Jump The Wall", 1992

Audio CD-studio recording with introductory remarks by Gentlemen of the College co-founder Mike Fitch-2 copies

Item 2: "Gentlemen Start Your Engines!", 1996

Audio CD-studio recording-2 copies

Item 3: "Shades of Khaki", 1998

Audio CD-studio recoding-2 copies

Item 4: "No Closure", 2000

Audio CD-studio recording-2 copies

Item 5: "The Gentlemen's First Christmas", 2001

Audio CD-studio recording-2 copies

Item 6: "The Ties That Bind", 2002

Audio CD-studio recording-2 copies

Item 7: "Jacket Required", 2006

Audio CD-studio recording-2 copies

Item 8: "Jump The Wall", 1992

Cassette-studio recording-1 copy

Item 9: Untitled, April 19-20, 1993

Cassette-label reads "Copy of 4/19 and 4/20/93 DAT recording.  This side made with Dolby B.  Sides A & B"-1 copy

Item 10: "Boomerang Fish", 1994

Cassette-studio recording-3 copies

Item 11: VA Belles and Gentlemen of the College 1994 Spring Concert, 1994

Cassette-live recording-1 copy

Item 12: "Gentlemen of the College Recommended Barbershop Songs", July 1997

Cassette-Side 1 is songs with arrangements already in the group's archives.  Side 2 is songs where the Gentlemen don't already own copies of the arrangements, but they are available-1 copy

Item 13: National Championships of College Acappella, 1998

Cassette-the labels indicates this is a (dub)-2 copies

Item 14: Gentlemen Final Concert, 1998

Cassette-this is the first part of the show-1 copy

Item 15: Gentlemen Final Concert, 1998

Cassette-this is the second part of the show-1 copy

Item 16: Yale Spizzwinks, 1991

Cassette-side 1 has "Lunchlady (better version)" and "Mighty Love (cut off)."  Side 2 has "(1) Mighty Love" and "(2) Monty Python's Philosopher's Song (cut off)"-1 copy

Item 17: Keepsake-1992 International Champions, 1992

Cassette-this is a tape of the group Keepsake-1 copy

Item 18: Gas House Gang-1993 International Champions, 1993

Cassette-this is a tape of the group Gas House Gang-1 copy

Item 19: Untitled, Undated

Cassette-label reads, "Songs where a take was chosen-that is the only take on this tape.  Where take was not chosen, all takes are here"-1 copy

Item 20: "Forever, August Moon", Undated

Cassette-lyrics and music by Robert Flinn-2 copies

Item 21: "Music Premiere No. 1", Undated

Cassette-professional version released by S.P.E.B.Q.S.A.-1 copy

Item 22: "Silver Sounds", Undated

Cassette-label lists individual tracks-1 copy

Item 23: "And This is Love", Undated

Cassette-1 copy

Item 24: Unlabeled, Undated

Cassette-No label, but it sounds like a GOC final concert, possibly during the years Mike Fitch was still a member-1 copy

Item 25: Gentlemen of the College Original DAT, 1993

DAT-label reads, "Gentlemen of the College Original DAT.  Recorded 4/19 & 4/20/93.  Ends at 4624 on counter"-1 copy

Item 26: Gentlemen 1993-1994 Original Master, 1993-94

DAT-1 copy

Item 27: Original-All Takes, 1994

DAT-label reads, "Gentlemen of the College, Recordings from 1/30/94 and 2/17/94.  Original-all takes"-1 copy

Item 28: Gentlemen of the College Recordings, November 12, 1995

DAT-1 copy

Item 29: Untitled #1, Spring 1996

DAT-1 copy

Item 30: Untitled #2, Spring 1996

DAT-1 copy

Item 31: A Cappella Comeptition, February 8, 1997

DAT-1 copy

Item 32: Gentlemen of the College Homecoming Concert, October 25, 1997

DAT-labeled as the original-1 copy

Item 33: Untitled, April 25, 1998

DAT-1 copy

Item 34: Untitled, April 25, 1998

DAT-this has a #2 on the label.  It is unclear if it  is a copy of Item #40 or the second part of a larger recording-1 copy

Item 35: 1998 National Championship a College Acappella (original), 1998

DAT-2 copies

Item 36: Untitled, 1999

DAT-labeled as a backup-1 copy

Item 37: Accidentals and Gentlemen of the College, March 27, 1999

DAT-the label states this show was in the Great Hall at 6pm-1 copy

Item 38: Untitled, 2000

DAT-this is 1 of 2-1 copy

Item 39: Untitled, 2000

DAT-this is 2 of 2-1 copy

Item 40: Untitled, #1, 2002

DAT-labeled as final-1 copy

Item 41: Untitled, #2, 2002

DAT-this is labeled as final-1 copy

Item 42: "Gentlemen Start Your Engines", 1996

DAT-this is the master recording for their studio release-1 copy

Item 43: Final Concert #1, Undated

DAT-1 copy

Item 44: Final Concert #2, Undated

DAT-1 copy

Item 45: Untitled, Undated

DAT-the label lists track names with minimal notes accompanying-1 copy

Item 46: Untitled, Undated

DAT-the label says "Wren, Brett Thompson Rec."-1 copy

Item 47: Gentlemen of the College--Homecoming, October 28, 1995

DAT-the labels indicates this was recorded in the UC auditorium-1 copy

Item 48: Untitled, December 8, 1995

DAT-labels says 30 min.-1 copy

Item 49: Unlabeled, Undated

DAT-there is no label on this recording-1 copy

Item 50: "Shades of Khaki" artwork, Undated

ZIP-1 copy

Item 51: "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" artwork, Undated

ZIP-1 copy

Item 52: Gentlemen of the College Rough Cut Side 1, Undated

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 53: Gentlemen of the College Rough Cut Side 2, Undated

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 54: Back-Up Copy Gentlemen of the College Album, 1992

Reel to Reel-label reads, "Side 1, 15 I.P.S., Tails Out, No Noise Reduction"-1 copy

Item 55: Back-Up Copy Gentlemen of the College Album, 1992

Reel to Reel-label reads, "Side 2, 15 I.P.S., Tails Out, No Noise Reduction"-1 copy

Item 56: Untitled Part 1, May 3, 1991

Reel to Reel-label reads, "7 1/2 I.P.S. Tails Out. 1/2 Track Stereo."-1 copy

Item 57: Untitled Part 2, May 3, 1991

Reel to Reel-label reads, "7 1/2 I.P.S. Tails Out. 1/2 Track Stereo."-1 copy

Item 58: Untitled #1, February 21, 1992

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 59: Untitled #2, February 21, 1992

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 60: Untitled #3, February 21, 1992

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 61: Untitled #4, February 22, 1992

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 62: Untitled #5, February 22, 1992

Reel to Reel-1 copy

Item 63: Untitled #1, 1998-1999

DTRS-1 copy

Item 64: Untitled #2, 1998-1999

DTRS-1 copy

Item 65: Untitled Tape 2 (A), Undated

DTRS-1 copy

Item 66: Untitled Tape 2 (B), Undated

DTRS-1 copy

Item 67: Untitled, Undated

VHSC-this appears to be 2 of 3-1 copy

Item 68: Untitled, Undated

VHSC-this appears to be 3 of 3-1 copy

Item 69: Final Concert, Spring 1994

Hi8-1 copy

Item 70: Concert, April 26, 1996

Hi8-1 copy

Item 71: A Cappella Competition, February 8, 1997

Hi8-1 copy

Item 72: Gentlemen of the Recording Session, February 16, 1997

Hi8-1 copy

Item 73: Untitled, December 20, 1997

Hi8-labels says "#1"-1 copy

Item 74: Untitled, February 15, 1998

Hi8-1 copy

Item 75: Final Concert, 1999

Hi8-1 copy

Item 76: Unabeled, Undated

Hi8-1 copy

Item 77: Scratch Tape for Gentlemen of the College 1995 Concert Video, 1995

VHS-1 copy

Item 78: End-Of-Year Concert, Spring 1997

VHS-label says this is a copy-1 copy

Item 79: Real World, Raw, Undated

VHS-raw footage of a spoof Real World video the Gentlemen made-1 copy

Item 80: Real World, Undated

VHS-edited footage from the raw footage in item 86.  This is a spoof on the MTV show "The Real World" featuring the Gentlemen of the College-1 copy

Box 9

Item 1: Gentlemen of the College Valentine's Day Concert, 1991

One DVD copy

Item 2: Gentlemen of the College Final Concert, 1993

One DVD copy

Item 3: Gentlemen of the College Final Concert, 1992

One DVD copy

Item 4: Gentlemen of the College Final Concert, 1990

One DVD copy

Item 5: Gentlemen of the College 1990-1999 Video Retrospective, 2010

One DVD and one CD copy of a series of video clips of performances by the a cappella group Gentlemen of the College from 1990 to 1999. The video was originally shown at the 10 year reunion in 2000 and was restored by Mike Fitch, class of 1993, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Gentlemen of the College at a reception in May 2010.

Item 6: Untitled, January 8, 2000

Audio CD-studio recordings-1 copy

Item 7: 10 Year Reunion Celebration, April 2000

Audio CD-Recording of the 10 year reunion of Gentlemen of the College members.  Recorded live in Phi Beta Kappa Hall-2 copies

Item 8: Final Concert, April 2000

Audio CD-live recording of the final concert for the 1999-2000 academic year-4 copies

Item 9: "The High Road", 2004

Audio CD-studio recording-2 copies

Item 10: Early Music Ensemble Concert in Wren Great Hall, Undated

Audio CD-track 8 is the Gentlemen of the College singing "Ave Maria" during an Early Music Ensemble Concert-2 copies

Item 11: Untitled, May 6, 1999

Audio CD-studio recordings-2 copies

Item 12: Live WCWM Radio Broadcast, April 1990

Audio CD-2 copies

Item 13: Digital Photographs from 20th Anniversary Reunion, April 2010

One CD-R featuring photographs from the Gentlemen of the College 20th Anniversary Reunion. The photographs were taken by Hannah Debelius (W&M Class of 2010).

Administrative Information

Repository

Special Collections Research Center

Acquisition Source

Gift of Gentlemen of the College, Michael Fitch, and others

Acquisition Method

The collection was given to the University Archives prior to 2007 and at least a portion was a gift of Michael Fitch. Acc. 1994.032 was also received by the University Archives. Acc. 1995.007, scrapbooks, was received from the organization on 5/14/1993. The provenance of portions of the collection is uncertain and was given the accession number 2007.030. Accession 2007.78 was received on 11/20/2007 from the Gentlemen of the College via business manager Dan Maguire.

Separated Materials

Artifacts related to the Gentlemen of the College have been separated from this collection and have been added to the University Archives Artifact Collection.

Two tablecloths that were used at the 2003-2004 banquet were deaccessioned from this collection in May 2010.

Related Materials

University Archives Subject File Collection (UA 9); University Archives Photograph Collection; University Archives Artifact Collection (UA 13) ; University Archives Poster Collection (UA 12); University Archives Audiovisual Collection (UA 58).

Related Publications

Colonial Echo

Preferred Citation

The Gentlemen of the College Records, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Processing Information

Records received prior to 2007 were described as part of the University Archives Publications Collection. This material was reprocessed by Rebecca Barnhart, SCRC Staff, when additional material was received from the Gentlemen of the College in November 2007.

Finding Aid Revision History

Record updated by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in May 2010.