- The Octāves
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This article is about the a cappella group. For other uses, see Octave (disambiguation).
The Octāves 
The Octāves' classic 8-ball logoBackground information Also known as Richmond Octāves Origin University of Richmond Genres Collegiate a cappella Years active 1990–present Labels Unsigned Website www.richmondoctaves.com Members Chris Dolci
Nathan Riehl
Jack Shaw
Geoff Weathersby
Sean Brewer
Ryan Papera
Sean Smiley
Bennie DeSalvo
Jared Feinman
Patrick Murphy
Sam Raab
Dickson Taylor
Chase Brightwell
Al Califano
Nunzio Cicone
Jesse SiebentrittThe Octāves is a student-run, all-male a cappella group from the University of Richmond. It is the school's oldest a cappella group, forming in the spring of 1990. Since its inception, The Octāves have recorded ten studio albums, its most recent being More Love Faster, released in the fall of 2010; and have embarked on several tours taking them all over the United States.
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History
The name "The Octāves" came from the musical term "octave", and served as a clever reference to the school mascot, the Richmond Spiders (spiders have eight legs).
Founding members included Scott Edwards ('92), Tripp Hudgins ('92), Rich Miller ('92), John Murphy ('92), Chris O'Brien ('92), Travis Allison ('94), TJ Moffett ('94), Matt Zemon ('94), and Jake Dwinnell ('94). Cathy Chamblee and Amy Craver served as musical directors. Dr. James Erb, the original faculty advisor, arranged a version of "Shenandoah" specifically for the group, which has since become a staple of choral repertoire across the nation. It is still frequently sung by the group today, and when Octāves alumni are present in the audience, they are invited to join the group on stage to sing along.
The 2009 Octāves (l-r): (front row) Nic Dacey, Geoff Weathersby; (being carried) Eric Rudofker; (middle row) Adam Brumbergs, John Twomey, Chris Dolci, Stephen O'Hara, Jack Shaw; (back row) Lee Jablow, Ben Paul, Nick Treviño, Clayton Alexander
Performances
The Octāves perform at several on-campus events each year—most notably the Family Weekend concerts in the Fall semester and the Octāves-hosted Spring Fever in the Spring semester, both with the other University of Richmond a cappella ensembles.[1][2] They also frequently sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Richmond sporting events and contribute to charity events that happen on campus.
The group is open to perform at a variety of other off-campus occasions, including private events for businesses and collaborations with other a cappella groups. They can be contacted for such purposes on their official website.
On September 26, 1992 The Octāves performed at a Phillies doubleheader in front of 20,000 people. They sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel.[3]
On March 19, 2011, The Octāves celebrated their 20th anniversary in conjunction with Spring Fever XVII. Several songs from former generations of the group were revived for the concert, and 25 Octāves alumni returned to Richmond to join the current lineup on stage. Coca-Cola sponsored the event.[4]
Discography and Critical Recognition
The Octāves have recorded a total of 10 albums throughout its history:
- The Octāves, 1993
- Groovedaddy, 1994
- Uncharted Waters, 1996
- In Sunshine or Shadow, 1998
- Exhibit Ā, 2001
- This Complete Breakfast, 2003 reviewed by the RARB
- Corner Pocket, 2005 reviewed by the RARB
- Shotgun, 2006 reviewed by the RARB
- Original Copy, 2008 reviewed by the RARB
- More Love Faster, 2010 reviewed by the RARB.
Corner Pocket and Shotgun were both CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards) nominated for Best Male Collegiate Album of the Year.[5][6] The Jimmy Eat World song "For Me This Is Heaven", featured on Corner Pocket, was nominated for Best Male Collegiate Song of the Year.[5] The track "Come Clean" by Hilary Duff, featured on Shotgun, was runner-up for Best Male Collegiate Arrangement of the Year. The Octāves' rendition of Rob Thomas' "Lonely No More", also from Shotgun, was nominated for Best Male Collegiate Song of the Year.[6]
External links
References
- ^ "Spring Fever hits another high note". The Collegian. 2004-04-01. http://collegian.richmond.edu/gsdl/collect/richcoll/index/assoc/20040401.dir/doc33.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ "Family Weekend rocks with a cappella concerts". The Collegian. 2005-09-22. http://collegian.richmond.edu/gsdl/collect/richcoll/index/assoc/20050922.dir/doc14.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ "The Octaves taste fame live at Phillies game". The Collegian. 1992-10-08. http://collegian.richmond.edu/gsdl/collect/richcoll/index/assoc/19921008.dir/doc82.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ "Alumni join Octaves in Spring Fever Concert". The Collegian. 2011-03-17. http://thecollegianur.com/2011/03/17/alumni-join-octaves-in-spring-fever-concert/18758/. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ a b "2006 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Nominees". Contemporary A Cappella Society. 2006. http://www.casa.org/cara2006n. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ a b "CARA Nominees 2007". Contemporary A Cappella Society. 2007. http://www.casa.org/cara2007n. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
University of Richmond
Richmond, VirginiaAcademics School of Arts & Sciences • E. Claiborne Robins School of Business • Jepson School of Leadership Studies • School of Law • School of Continuing Studies
Athletics Atlantic 10 Conference • Richmond Spiders • Men's Basketball (Black & Blue Classic) • Football (Capital Cup) • Robins Center • E. Claiborne Robins Stadium • Malcolm U. Pitt FieldPeople Student Life The Collegian • The Octāves • WDCEMiscellaneous Categories:- Collegiate a cappella groups
- Musical groups established in 1990
- University of Richmond
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