Sil'hooettes

The Virginia Sil'hooettes
An all-female a cappella group from the University of Virginia that wears the pants in the relationship. Literally.
Background information
Also known as	The Sils
Origin	Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Genres	A cappella, Collegiate a cappella
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Collegiate
Website	Official Site

The Virginia Sil'hooettes is a student-run, all-female a cappella group at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Once just the vision of four UVa students in the winter of 1988, the Sil'hooettes are now the most award-winning women's group at UVa. The Sil'hooettes, as they are sometimes called, have performed for thousands of people at such venues as the Kennedy Center,^[1] The White House, John Paul Jones Arena,^[2] Baltimore Orioles home baseball games,^[3] and Boston Red Sox home baseball games.^[4]

History

A spring concert in McLeod Hall

Performing at the Aca-Challenge in Washington, D.C.

The idea for the Sil’hooettes was first conceived before Winter Break in 1988 by JoEllen Constine, Laura Fleury, Karen Sherman, and Melissa Schimke, but the spring semester of 1989 was the group’s first official semester on grounds. At the time, there were only three other groups in existence, the Virginia Gentlemen, the Virginia Belles, and the Hullabahoos – who had had their inception less than a year before. Initially almost named "The Double-Breasted Jackets", the Sils' original uniform consisted of multi-colored double-breasted jackets (DBJs), but in the fall of 1995, the group made the switch to the current black and silver due to complaints about the objectification of the members.

Singing at a reception honoring Edward R. Stettinius Jr. Prize for Global Leadership recipient former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright

The Sil'hooettes typically range between 9 and 18 members, though the exact number varies from year to year, and the group holds auditions for new members every fall and occasionally in the spring. The group posts relevant information regarding auditions to their website as auditions approach.

On October 1, 2012, USA Today named The Virginia Sil'hooettes one of the Top 5 Collegiate A Cappella groups in the country.^[5]

On November 18, 2013, HerCampus named The Virginia Sil'hooettes the #1 Female Collegiate A Cappella group in the country.^[6]

On February 2, 2016, CollegeMagazine named The Virginia Sil'hooettes the #1 Female Group Running the A Cappella World.^[7]

Concerts

Every semester, the Sil'hooettes host at least one concert performance, usually held at the University of Virginia's McLeod Hall on a Friday or Saturday evening. The Sils' official website posts relevant information and online ticket sales as the date of the concerts approach. Concert titles are different every semester but typically employ a pun on the word "Sil" (e.g. Natural Sil'ection, Get Sil'ly, Sil'verware Featuring the 'Forks). The Sil'hooettes invite a guest group to perform at these concerts before intermission, usually a male group from another school, and concert performances are typically followed by Sil'hooettes hosted after-parties, advertised to the audience at the show.

Every five years, the Sil'hooettes host an anniversary concert, inviting the Sil'umnae back to relive their glory years. The Sils celebrated their 20th anniversary in April 2009 ^[8] and just recently celebrated their 25th Sil'ver Anniversary as well (April 2014).

The Sils celebrate 25 years of existence!

Sil'hooettes of past and present getting sil'ly at the 20th Anniversary Brunch at Boar's Head Inn

Fall Roll

Along with concerts and gigs throughout the semester, the Sil'hooettes reserve their Fall Break at the University of Virginia for a tour of the East Coast called Fall Roll, visiting and performing at various colleges and groups (e.g. Tufts University Beelzebubs, Dartmouth College Aires, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Clef Hangers, Duke University Pitchforks, etc.) along the way.

CD Production

The Sil'hooettes produce a new studio album approximately every three semesters. Their most recent album, Luster, produced by James Gammon and Moira Lennon, was released December 2015, and is already receiving praise from the a cappella community.

Homer

Upon achieving acceptance into the Sil'hooettes, a new member is affectionately called a "Homer" and often referred to by "Homer" followed by their last name until the rest of the membership deems said member ready to shed her "Homer title". The Homer period is a kind of rite of passage for the Sil'hooettes and is a long-standing group tradition.

Awards & Honors

Virginia Sil'hooettes awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
Award	Wins	Nominations
ACAs	2	9
CARAs	19	30
RARB	2	-
BOCA	7	-
CAMO	1	-
sing	3	-
Voices Only	7	-
ICCAs	2	-

Totals

Awards won

Nominations

Musical Awards

A Cappella Community Awards (ACAs)

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2011	Virginia Sil'hooettes	Favorite Female Collegiate Group (Runner-Up)	Won
	“Beautiful Child” by Rufus Wainwright	Favorite Gender-Bender Song/Solo	Nominated
	"Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé	Favorite Lady Gaga Cover (Runner-Up)	Won
2010	Virginia Sil'hooettes	Favorite Female Collegiate Group	Nominated
	Take It To The Bridge	Favorite Collegiate Album	Nominated
	“Wreckless Love” by Alicia Keys	Favorite Female Vocalist—Happiness Chijioke	Nominated
	Sara Dougadir	Favorite Arranger	Nominated
	“Wreckless Love” by Alicia Keys	Favorite A Cappella Song	Nominated
	“Redemption Song” by Bob Marley	Favorite Gender-Bender Song/Solo	Nominated

Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs)

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2016	Luster	Best Female Collegiate Album	Won
	"I Will Never Die" by Delta Rae	Best Female Collegiate Song	Nominated
	"Wait It Out" by Imogen Heap	Best Female Collegiate Arrangement—Alex Peterson	Nominated
	"I Will Never Die" by Delta Rae	Best Female Collegiate Soloist—Sophie Maus	Nominated
2015	1989	Best Female Collegiate Album	Nominated
	"This Is What It Feels Like" by BANKS	Best Female Collegiate Song	Nominated
	"Creep" by Radiohead	Best Female Collegiate Soloist—Stephanie Lee	Nominated
2013	Playing With Lightning	Best Female Collegiate Album	Won
	"Around Us" by Jónsi	Best Female Collegiate Song	Won
	"Howl" by Florence and the Machine	Best Female Collegiate Arrangement—Liz Smith	Nominated
	"Mama" by Beth Hart	Best Female Collegiate Soloist—Happiness Chijioke	Won
2011	Blackout	Best Female Collegiate Album (Runner-Up)	Won
	"I See You" by Leona Lewis	Best Female Collegiate Song	Won
	“Beautiful Child” by Rufus Wainwright	Best Female Collegiate Arrangement—Caitlin Morton	Won
2010	Take It To The Bridge	Best Female Collegiate Album (Runner-Up)	Won
	"1234 (Van She Tech Remix)" by Feist	Best Female Collegiate Song (Runner-Up)	Won
	“Wreckless Love” by Alicia Keys	Best Female Collegiate Soloist—Happiness Chijioke	Won
	“Wreckless Love” by Alicia Keys	Best Hip-Hop/R&B Song	Nominated
	Take It To The Bridge	Best Female Collegiate Album Short List	Won
2008	Sauce	Best Female Collegiate Album	Nominated
	"Slow Me Down" by Emmy Rossum	Best Female Collegiate Arrangement—Sara Dougadir	Won
	"Butterflies and Hurricanes" by Muse	Best Female Collegiate Song (Runner-Up)	Won
	"Careful What You Wish for" by Jonatha Brooke	Best Female Collegiate Soloist—Jenna Pastuszek	Nominated
	"Dance With Me" by Lexi Witman	Best Scholastic Original	Nominated
2007	To Homer and Back	Best Female Collegiate Album	Nominated
	"They" by Jem	Best Female Collegiate Song	Nominated
	"A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride	Best Female Collegiate Soloist—Anne Foster	Won
2005	Tangled	Best Female Collegiate Album	Won
	"Beautiful Day" by U2	Best Female Collegiate Arrangement—Blaire Reinhard	Won
	"Where Would You Be" by Martina McBride	Best Female Collegiate Soloist (Runner-Up)—Anne Foster	Won
2005	Aftershock	Best Female Collegiate Album (Runner-Up)	Won
	"Wrong Impression" by Natalie Imbruglia	Best Female Collegiate Arrangement—Summerlyn Lotz	Nominated
	"Wrong Impression" by Natalie Imbruglia	Best Female Collegiate Song (Runner-Up)	Won
	"Two Satellites" by Mary Beth Maziarz	Best Female Collegiate Soloist (Runner-Up)—Melody Akhavan	Won

Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB)

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2014	"This Is What It Feels Like" by Banks	2014 Track of the Year	Won
2014	1989	2014 Album Pick of the Year—Honorable Mention	Won
2012	Playing With Lightning	2012 Album Pick of the Year—Honorable Mention	Won
2009	Take It To The Bridge	2009 Album Pick of the Year	Won

Selection for "Best Of" Compilation Albums

Best of College A Cappella (BOCA)

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2016	"My Gun" by Tove Lo	BOCA 2016: Best of College A Cappella	Won
2014	"Idioteque" by Radiohead	Best of BOCA: The First 20 Years	Won
2012	"Idioteque" by Radiohead	BOCA 2012: Best of College A Cappella	Won
2011	"Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé	BOCA 2011: Best of College A Cappella	Won
2010	"Say (All I Need)" by OneRepublic	BOCA 2010: Best of College A Cappella	Won
2008	"You'll Think of Me" by Keith Urban	BOCA 2008: Best of College A Cappella	Won
2005	"Where Would You Be" by Martina McBride	BOCA 2005: Best of College A Cappella	Won
2003	"Wrong Impression" by Natalie Imbruglia	BOCA 2003: Best of College A Cappella	Won

Contemporary A Cappella Music Organization (CAMO)

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2005	"Devils and Angels (song)" by Toby Lightman	Top Shelf A Cappella 2005	Won

sing

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2014	"This Is What It Feels Like" by BANKS	sing 11: One Louder	Won
2012	"Around Us" by Jónsi	sing IX: Supernovem	Won
2009	"Wreckless Love” by Alicia Keys"	sing VI: sunny side up	Won

Voices Only

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2015	"This Is What It Feels Like" by BANKS	Voices Only 2015	Won
2013	"Starry Eyed" by Ellie Goulding	Voices Only 2013	Won
2012	"Around Us" by Jónsi	Voices Only 2012	Won
2011	“Beautiful Child” by Rufus Wainwright	Voices Only 2011	Won
2009	"1234 (Van She Tech Remix)" by Feist	Voices Only 2009	Won
2008	"Butterflies and Hurricanes" by Muse	Voices Only 2008	Won
2006	"Don't Cha Wanna Ride" by Joss Stone	Voices Only 2006	Won
2005	"When I Think About Angels" by Jamie O'Neal	Voices Only 2005	Won

Women's A Cappella Association

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2016	"I Will Never Die" by Delta Rae	WACA Vol. 3	Won
2015	"This Is What It Feels Like" by BANKS	WACA Vol. 2	Won

A Cappella Competitions

International Competitive Collegiate A Cappella (ICCAs)

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2003	Virginia Sil'hooettes	ICCA Semi-Finals—3rd Place	Won
2003	Virginia Sil'hooettes	ICCA Regionals—1st Place	Won

Discography

The Sil'hooettes perform 'Work Song' by Hozier at UVA's Annual Lighting of the Lawn

Singing at a UVA Men's Basketball Halftime Show

Luster (2015)
1989 (2014)
Playing with Lightning (2012)
Blackout (2010)
Take It To The Bridge (2009)
Sauce (2008)
To Homer and Back (2006)
Tangled (2004)
Aftershock (2002)
Flair (2001)
Delirious (1999)
Shades of Silver (1998)

Notable alumni

Blaire Reinhard - musician, The Blaire Reinhard Band
Kayce McGehee - musician, Blip Blip Bleep

References

External links

University of Virginia

Academics

Schools	School of Architecture Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy College of Arts & Sciences School of Continuing and Professional Studies Darden School of Business McIntire School of Commerce Curry School of Education School of Engineering and Applied Science School of Law School of Medicine School of Nursing College at Wise The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School

Scholarship Programs	Jefferson Scholars Echols Scholars Rodman Scholars

Research	Association of American Universities Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities Japanese Text Initiative Universitas 21 Mid Atlantic Terascale Partnership Flexible Extensible Digital Object Repository Architecture Applied Research in Patacriticism Networked Infrastructure for Nineteenth-Century Electronic Scholarship Legion Mentat Real-time Cmix

Research publications	University of Virginia Press Virginia Law Review Virginia Journal of International Law Journal of Law & Politics

Other	Rare Book School Semester at Sea University of Virginia Demographics and Workforce Group Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership Miller Center of Public Affairs University of Virginia Center for Politics Sabato's Crystal Ball

Athletics

Teams and music	Virginia Cavaliers Virginia Pep Band Cavalier Marching Band Wahoos The Good Old Song The Cavalier Song

Sports	Baseball Men's basketball Football Men's lacrosse Men's soccer

Rivalries	Virginia–Virginia Tech rivalry South's Oldest Rivalry Virginia–Louisville rivalry Maryland–Virginia football rivalry Virginia–Virginia Tech football rivalry Florida State–Virginia football rivalry

Facilities	Davenport Field John Paul Jones Arena Klöckner Stadium Lake Monticello Memorial Gym Scott Stadium Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center University Hall University Hall Turf Field

Online publication	theSabre

Grounds

The Lawn The Range The Rotunda McIntire Amphitheatre The Corner Fan Mountain Observatory Hereford College Jefferson Hall McCormick Observatory Rugby Road University of Virginia Cemetery

Student life

Publications	The Cavalier Daily The Hedgehog Review Virginia Law Weekly Virginia Quarterly Review The Yellow Journal

Radio Stations	WTJU WUVA WXTJ-LP

Online Webcasts	CAV-TV

Greek Life	University of Virginia Greek life

Debating Societies	Jefferson Literary and Debating Society Washington Literary Society and Debating Union

Performing Arts	The Academical Village People Hullabahoos Virginia Glee Club Virginia Gentlemen The Virginia Belles Sil'hooettes

Residential Colleges	Brown College at Monroe Hill Hereford College International Residential College First-year living areas Alderman Road McCormick Road

Secret societies	IMP Society Seven Society Z Society Other

People

Alumni and faculty University Presidents

Commons
Category

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