Amalgamates

The Amalgamates

The Spring 2015 Amalgamates
Background information
Also known as The Mates
Origin Medford, Massachusetts, United States
Genres A Cappella
Years active 1984–present
Labels A Cappella Records
Website Official Site

The Amalgamates are a coed collegiate a cappella group at Tufts University in Medford, MA.

With members from all over the United States and the world, the "Mates" have a tradition of musical excellence represented by both the current singers and a network of over 170 alumni worldwide. The Mates arrange and learn a new repertoire of rock, pop, R&B, alternative, and jazz covers every semester, performing at Tufts as well as other universities, local secondary schools and at private functions around New England throughout the school year. Each year, the Mates travel within the US or abroad on a Spring Break tour, performing at various venues including colleges, high schools and a cappella festivals.[1]

History

Name and Formation

The Amalgamates were founded in 1984 by Tufts students Joanne Cohen, Craig Everett, and David Wiley. "Amalgamate" means "combine or unite to form one organization or structure"; thus, founding members chose the name Amalgamates to indicate the formation of the first coed a cappella group at Tufts. With the aid of Marti Fernandi and Fiona Wright-Hall, members of the two other existing groups, the Beelzebubs and Jackson Jills respectively, the fledgling group held auditions in November of that year, and from the thirty people who auditioned, chose ten more members. The Mates first official college performance was at the University of Vermont, followed soon thereafter by their first home concert at Goddard Chapel with the Bubs and the Jills on April 4, 1985. Other performances in the spring of 1985 were at the University of New Hampshire, Wellesley College, and on campus at the dedication of the newly built Mayer Campus Center.[2]

Reputation

The Mates became an a cappella household name with their rendition of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror, with soloist Amy Birnbaum, on the 1996 release Hat Sale! Get Mama!.[3] The song went on to win the 1997 CARA Award for Best Coed Collegiate Song and runner-up for Best Coed Collegiate Soloist, and was chosen as the opening track for BOCA: Best of College A Cappella, Vol. 3.[4] Subsequent albums have perennially been selected for a variety of Awards; in addition to CARA and BOCA honors, Mates tracks have appeared on Voices Only and SING compilations.

Anniversaries

The group has firmly established traditions that include the homecoming show in the Chapel, a weekend retreat, biannual studio album releases, and a number of social events that have become an intrinsic part of the Amalgamates experience. In 2009, in honor of the milestone 25th Anniversary, over one hundred Mates alumni reunited for Homecoming weekend, October 9-October 11, for a gala event.[5] A committee of alumni worked in conjunction with the Tufts Alumni association for over a year to organize an evening that included remarks by Mates from across the years, a slideshow, and casual performances by the groups from each year. Mates alumnus John Clark, a recording engineer, enlisted alumni and current group members to create a tribute album of rerecorded or never-before recorded songs, even going so far as to use the original soloists.

In addition to the gala, other events that took place during the course of the anniversary weekend included the traditional singing on the Tisch Library roof, a visit to the Mates Room at the Hayes House on Chetwynd Ave., and a Sunday morning brunch at Christopher's Bar and Grill on Porter Square in Cambridge.

The Mates' 30th Anniversary celebrations will occur in May 2015 at Tufts University.

Recording

See Discography.

Touring, Gigs, and Workshops

National Anthem at Fenway Park
Performing the National Anthem at Fenway Park
Sept 15, 2009

In addition to on campus performances that span from short "dorm sings" during orientation to Chapel shows such as the annual Homecoming performances, to special university events such as trustee dinners at President Anthony Monaco's Gifford House, the Mates travel throughout Massachusetts and New England regularly over the course of the year. The group often performs at middle schools and high schools, typically conducting a workshop with the schools' students in addition to the show. Workshops typically explain the way a popular song becomes a Mates song and involve teaching a portion of a Mates song and basic vocal percussion techniques to the students.

Each year, the Mates travel to a more distant destination for a spring break tour. Past tour locations include Madrid and Barcelona, London, France and Germany, New Orleans, Jamaica, Florida, California, Austin, Texas, and Aruba. Most recently, the Mates toured in Montreal.

The Mates have sung at a number of prestigious venues and events, including the National Portrait Gallery in London, for then-presidential candidate John Kerry at a fundraiser at the Boston Convention Center, the Wang Center (now the Citi Performing Arts Center), Disney World, and Boston's Symphony Hall. On September 15, 2009, the Mates performed the National Anthem at Fenway Park, for the second time in just two seasons.[5]

Discography

As of 2015, the Mates have recorded 14 studio albums.[6]

Logo
The Mates Logo

• Pendulum (2015)
• Teaser Volume 2 - EP (2014)
• Odd Man In (2013)
• Hands Off The Mannequin! (2011)
• 25th Anniversary Tribute Album (2009)
• Teaser - Extended Single (2009)
• Prime (2008)
• Baggage Claim (2006)
• Stopping for Breakfast (2004)
• Bamboo (2002)
• Juice (2000)
• Grandma's Camper (1998)
• Hat Sale! Get Mama! (1996)
• Unexpected Guests - Live (1994)
• Quarter Past Six (1991)
• The Chartreuse Album (1988)
• Strange Pair of Shoes (1986)

Awards

Year Presenter Award Result
2016 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Nominee, "Pendulum"[7]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Nominee, "Another Way to Die/Skyfall" [8]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Solo Nominee, Tammara Gary, "Another Way to Die/Skyfall" [9]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement Nominee, Will Finlay, "Another Way to Die/Skyfall" [10]
2015 The Recorded A Cappella Review Board RARB Picks of 2015 Track Pick of the Year, "C'mon Talk", originally performed by Bernhoft [8]
Voices Only Voices Only 2015 Selection "Another Way to Die/Skyfall", originally performed by Jack White & Alicia Keys, and Adele [11]
2014 The Recorded A Cappella Review Board RARB Picks of 2014 Album Pick of 2014, "Odd Man In",[11]
Voices Only Voices Only 2014 Selection "Undisclosed Desires", originally performed by Muse [11]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Nominee, "Odd Man In",[12]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Nominee, "Paris (Ooh La La)" [12]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist Nominee, Gabrielle Bills for "Paris (Ooh La La)" [12]
Best of College A Cappella BOCA 2014 Selection "Paris (Ooh La La)", originally performed by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals [13]
2013 Contemporary A Cappella Society of America SING 10: Neon Selection "Undisclosed Desires", originally performed by Muse [13]
Voices Only Voices Only 2013 Selection "Paris (Ooh La La)", originally performed by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals [11]
2012 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Winner, "Boy Lilikoi",[13]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Winner, "Hands Off The Mannequin!",[13]
Best of College A Cappella BOCA 2012 Selection "Right As Rain", originally performed by ADELE[14]
2011 WERS All-A cappella Album of The Month, December 2011 "Hands Off The Mannequin!", WERS All- A cappella [11]
Voices Only Voices Only 2011 Selection "When The Day Met The Night", originally performed by Panic! at The Disco [15]
2010 Voices Only Voices Only 2010 Selection "Let It Die", originally performed by the Foo Fighters [16]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Runner Up, "Let It Die"[17]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement Runner Up, "Let It Die", arranged by Lori Allen and Brie Bills[17]
2009 Contemporary A Cappella Society of America SING VI Selection "Let It Die"[18]
Voices Only Voices Only 2009 Selection "The Pretender", originally performed by the Foo Fighters[19]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Shortlisted, Prime[20]
2007 Best of College A Cappella BOCA 2007 Selection "Good Luck", originally performed by Basement Jaxx[21]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Nominee, Baggage Claim[22]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement Nominee, Warning Sign, originally performed by Coldplay, arranged by Evan Barnathan and Eric Stahl[22]
2005 Best of College A Cappella BOCA 2005 Selection "Everlong", originally performed by the Foo Fighters[23]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Nominee, Stopping For Breakfast
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Nominee, "Everlong"
WERS All A Cappella Album of the month, March 2005 Stopping For Breakfast
2003 Best of College A Cappella BOCA 2003 Selection "Killing Me Softly", originally performed by The Fugees[24]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist Runner Up, Becky Rubin on "Killing Me Softly"
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Nominee, "Killing Me Softly"
2001 Best of College A Cappella BOCA 2001 Selection "I'm Your Baby Tonight", originally performed by Whitney Houston[25]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Winner, Juice[26]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Winner, "I'm Your Baby Tonight"[26]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist Winner, Becky Rubin on "I'm Your Baby Tonight"[26]
1999 Best of College A Cappella BOCA 1999 Selection "I Don't Want To Wait", originally performed by Paula Cole[27]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Nominee, Grandma's Camper
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist Nominee, Courtney Simson on "I Don't Want To Wait"
1997 Best of College A Cappella Vol. 3 Selection "Man in the Mirror", originally performed by Michael Jackson[4]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Runner Up, Hat Sale! Get Mama!
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Winner, "Man in the Mirror"
1992 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Album Runner Up, Quarter Past Six[28]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Song Runner Up, "Pretending to Care", originally performed by Todd Rundgren[28]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement Winner, "Mother's Pride", originally performed by George Michael, arranged by John Churchwell[28]
Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist Winner, Leslie Ahern on "The Man With The Child In His Eyes", originally performed by Kate Bush[28]

External links

• The Amalgamates (official site)
• Facebook page (official)
• Twitter page (official)
• Instagram feed (official)
• The Contemporary A Cappella Society (official site)
• Amalgamates discography reviews by the Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB)

References

  1. ↑ "- History". amalgamates.com.
  2. ↑ Bailey, Nathaniel (February 27, 2012). "Strong talent, family culture define Amalgamates a cappella group". tufts.edu. Tufts Daily.
  3. ↑ "HS!GM!". amalgamates.com.
  4. 1 2 "Various Artists, Tufts Amalgamates, Stanford Mixed Company, Michigan Amazin Blue, Harvard Radcliffe Callbacks - Boca: Best of College a Cappella, Vol. 3 - Amazon.com Music". amazon.com.
  5. 1 2 "Tufts E-News: On the Right Note". tufts.edu.
  6. ↑ "Albums". amalgamates.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  7. ↑ "CARA Nominees 2016". casa.org.
  8. 1 2 "CARA Nominees 2016". casa.org.
  9. ↑ "CARA Nominees 2016". casa.org.
  10. ↑ "CARA Nominees 2016". casa.org.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Voices Only A Cappella". facebook.com.
  12. 1 2 3 "2014 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Nominees - A Cappella Music - The Contemporary A Cappella Society". casa.org.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "BOCA 2014: Best Of College A Cappella". loudr.fm.
  14. ↑ "HOTM!". amalgamates.com.
  15. ↑ "Voices Only 2011 - The best collegiate a cappella tracks on 2 CDs". voicesonlyacappella.com.
  16. ↑ Voices Only 2010
  17. 1 2 "2010 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners - A Cappella Music - The Contemporary A Cappella Society". casa.org.
  18. ↑ "A Cappella Records". acappellarecords.com.
  19. ↑ Voices Only 2009
  20. ↑ "2009 Collegiate A Cappella Shortlists - A Cappella Music - The Contemporary A Cappella Society". casa.org.
  21. ↑ BOCA 2007
  22. 1 2 "CARA Nominees 2007 - A Cappella Music - The Contemporary A Cappella Society". casa.org.
  23. ↑ BOCA 2005
  24. ↑ BOCA 2003
  25. ↑ BOCA 2001
  26. 1 2 3 "CARA: 2001 Winners". van.org.
  27. ↑ BOCA 1999
  28. 1 2 3 4 "1992 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners - A Cappella Music - The Contemporary A Cappella Society". casa.org.
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