The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus
(The SOBs)
TTBB
On Halloween in 1938, twelve of the sweetest voices at Yale converged on Mory’s Temple Bar to form an a cappella group unlike any other. This group went without a name until they capitalized on a backhanded compliment received at a party— heard above the tinkle of ice was “Those SOBs can sing!”
Turning the expletive into an acronym, the group drew on the legend of Orpheus, the most famous musician of ancient Greece, and Bacchus, the god of revelry. Since then, the group has made emulating those namesakes their mission, bringing great music and great vibes wherever they go.
The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus is the second-longest-running collegiate a cappella group in the nation. We have an enormous repertoire spanning more than eight decades that includes traditional, jazz, blues, rock and roll, and original compositions. We also pride ourselves on injecting a healthy dose of comedy into our performances to make each concert engaging and unique. We have brought our unique blend of showmanship all around the nation and the globe: from the White House to the shores of Aruba to the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.
Our blend of musical excellence, spontaneity, and laughter has kept audiences around the world entertained for more than 80 years and promises to continue to do so for decades to come.