The Colgate Thirteen
The Colgate Thirteen, also known as The Colgate 13,[1] is an undergraduate all-male a cappella group at Colgate University, and the second-oldest collegiate a cappella group in the United States. Established in 1942, the group is named for the 13 men who founded the university in 1819, each offering $13 and 13 prayers.[2] The Thirteen regularly perform at schools, alumni, community, corporate and sporting events. The group is known for performing the U.S. National Anthem at Super Bowl XIII in 1979.[3]
The group has produced 27 albums although only 26 have been released. Some of its best known arrangements are Coney Island Baby, Danny Boy, East of the Sun, Is That the Way You Look?, Mack the Knife, Many Rivers to Cross, Masochism Tango, The National Anthem, Poinciana, Route 66 and Walking in Memphis. The majority of songs are arranged by members of the group.[4]
The 13 most senior members perform at any time -- representing the first tenor, second tenor, baritone and bass singing parts -- but there are more than 13 in the entire group. Students, all underclassmen, try out for the group with auditions held either once or twice during the school year. Members of the group are referred to as "Thirteeners."