California Golden Overtones
Encyclopedia
Founded in the '70s as the Decibelles, the California Golden Overtones (since 1984), sometimes called the Golden Overtones or the Tones, is a six- to ten-member female a cappella
group at the University of California, Berkeley
. The group’s prolific repertoire spans many genres of music and grows each year with new arrangements and contributions of past and popular songs. From rap to doo-wop to country, the group embraces all styles and interprets them into a strong female sound.
The Overtones have recorded multiple albums, most recently No Boys Allowed (2002). In 2001 the group placed second in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
(ICCA).
The Overtones perform regularly around the Bay Area for both alumni and the community. They also perform for Cal students each Friday of the academic year at one o’clock. They can be found next to the historic Sather Gate
on Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza
.
The group hosts a series of annual concerts. In the Fall, the West Coast A Cappella Showcase features invited groups from all over the country. Past guest groups in this concert have included former ICCA Champions Brigham Young University
’s Noteworthy and Vocal Point and Colorado's In the Buff. Other California guests include groups from Stanford
, UCLA, USC
, Mount San Antonio College, and the University of Oregon
. The Overtones also perform in annual concert performances including the Overtones Spring Show, and a guest appearance at the UC Men's Octet Spring Show.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. The group’s prolific repertoire spans many genres of music and grows each year with new arrangements and contributions of past and popular songs. From rap to doo-wop to country, the group embraces all styles and interprets them into a strong female sound.
The Overtones have recorded multiple albums, most recently No Boys Allowed (2002). In 2001 the group placed second in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, originally the National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella , is an international competition that attracts hundreds of college a cappella groups each year...
(ICCA).
The Overtones perform regularly around the Bay Area for both alumni and the community. They also perform for Cal students each Friday of the academic year at one o’clock. They can be found next to the historic Sather Gate
Sather Gate
Sather Gate is a prominent landmark separating Sproul Plaza from the bridge over Strawberry Creek, leading to the center of the University of California, Berkeley campus. The gate was donated by Jane K. Sather, a benefactor of the university, in memory of her late husband Peder Sather, a trustee of...
on Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza
Sproul Plaza
Sproul Plaza is a major center of student activity at the University of California, Berkeley. It is divided into two sections: Upper Sproul and Lower Sproul. They are separated by 12 vertical feet and a set of stairs.-History:...
.
The group hosts a series of annual concerts. In the Fall, the West Coast A Cappella Showcase features invited groups from all over the country. Past guest groups in this concert have included former ICCA Champions Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
’s Noteworthy and Vocal Point and Colorado's In the Buff. Other California guests include groups from Stanford
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, UCLA, USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Mount San Antonio College, and the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. The Overtones also perform in annual concert performances including the Overtones Spring Show, and a guest appearance at the UC Men's Octet Spring Show.
Discography
- California Street, 1988
- Bar Nine, 1990
- Ridin' the Wave, 1993
- Pipe Dreams, 1995
- Bear All, 2000
- No Boys Allowed, 2002