The Accidentals are an all-male collegiate a cappella

Collegiate a cappella

Collegiate a cappella ensembles are student-run and -directed singing groups that perform entirely without instruments. Such groups can be found at many colleges and universities in the United States, and increasingly worldwide....

 group. Formed in 1974, the Accidentals are the oldest a cappella group at the University of Georgia

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

. The Accidentals are typically anywhere from 12 to 17 members and hold auditions every fall and occasionally at the end of the spring

History

The Accidentals were formed in 1974 when the Director of The UGA Men's Glee Club

Glee club

A glee club is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs—glees—by trios or quartets. In the late 19th Century it was very popular in most schools and was made a tradition...

, Dr. E. Pierce Arant, Jr. decided to liven up the concerts a bit by having a feature quartet. Over time the quartet grew to eight members, then twelve. In the mid-1980s Paul Tate joined the group and began to arrange more contemporary pop music for the group, a big change from the typical barbershop and spiritual music the group was used to doing with the Men's Glee Club. The Accidentals were widely heralded for their 1992 performance of "A Mighty Fortress" as arranged by the group Glad.

Paul Tate took up the Directorship of the Accidentals in 1993 and proceeded to whip the 12 members into shape. That year also brought about a landmark event: the Accidentals' first album, On The Map, which was only available on cassette, and sold out quickly. The group put out their second album the next year: S.O.L.D. O.U.T. (Songs Of Liberty, Devotion, and Other Universal Truths). The album was a great improvement over On The Map and gave the Accidentals a more polished and professional sound. The next year brought the Accidentals' third album in three years: Songs From Uncle Paul's Cabin.

In the spring of 1996, the Accidentals' first annual Invitational concert, UGAPALOOZA! The guest groups included The UNC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...

 Tar Heel Voices and The William & Mary Gentlemen of the College. In 1997 the Accidentals competed in their first a cappella competition, the southeast regional of The National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (now 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...

), and walked away with First Place, and a Best Arrangement Award for Paul Tate's "Blessing."

In January 2001 the Accidentals released their first Christmas album, Meanwhile, Back at Christmas..., which was recorded live at the Accidentals' Christmas Concert in Edge Recital Hall on December 2, 2000.

Since 2000 the Accidentals have shifted their musical style away from their Glee Club origins towards a more contemporary pop sound. They have been a continuous presence in Varsity Vocals 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...

. They have released four albums:PDA (Public Displays of A Cappella) (2000), None of the Above (2004), 14 and Change (2006), and Imprint (2009).

Albums

• On The Map (1993)

• S.O.L.D. O.U.T. (Songs Of Liberty, Devotion, and Other Universal Truths) (1994)
  1. A Patriotic Medley
  2. Si Iniquitates
  3. We Shall Walk Through the Valley In Peace
  4. Be Thou My Vision
  5. Wonderful Invention
  6. I Want To Hold Your Hand
  7. You Never Let Me Down
  8. In The Still Of The Night
  9. Down Over The Hill
  10. Don't Pull Your Love
  11. Without You
  12. Blessing

• Songs From Uncle Paul's Cabin (1995)

• PDA (Public Displays of A Cappella) (2000)
  1. We Won't Sing That Way
  2. Up The Ladder
  3. I Wanna Hold Your Hand
  4. Every Time You Go Away
  5. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
  6. Kyrie
  7. Jessie's Girl
  8. Faith
  9. Change In My Life
  10. Prayer of The Children
  11. We Won't Sing That Way (Live)

• Meanwhile, Back At Christmas... (2001)
  1. Break Forth, O Heavenly Light
  2. I'll Be Home For Christmas
  3. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
  4. Holiday Road
  5. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
  6. All My Lovin'
  7. The First Noel
  8. Up The Ladder
  9. Silent Night
  10. Change In My Life
  11. Oh Holy Night
  12. Twelve Days of Christmas
  13. Gaelic Blessing

• None Of The Above (2004) - produced by Diovoce, Inc.
  1. It's Alright
  2. Walking In Memphis
  3. Hard To Say Goodbye
  4. Let's Get It On
  5. Tears In Heaven
  6. Still The One
  7. Take Me As I Am
  8. Boogie Shoes (Remix)
  9. Dixieland Delight
  10. When You Come Back Down
  11. Take Me Home Tonight

• 14 And Change (2006) – produced by James Gammon
  1. Wish You Were Here
  2. Better Man
  3. Another Day In Paradise
  4. Grey Street
  5. The Freshman
  6. Don't Lie
  7. Back To You
  8. Ain't No Sunshine
  9. Can't Stop
  10. Iris
  11. Let That Be Enough
  12. Bad
  13. Georgia Medley
  14. Blessing

• Imprint (2009) – produced by Charlie Forkish
  1. Life Is a Highway
  2. Barrel of a Gun
  3. Violet Hill
  4. Rains In Asia
  5. Warning
  6. Nothing In My Way
  7. Everything
  8. Cupid's Chokehold
  9. On a Night Like This
  10. Lovestoned
  11. Acoustic #3
  12. Through With You
  13. Lullaby

Awards

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...

1997 Quarterfinals: Champion

1997 Quarterfinals: Best Arrangement – Paul Tate for "Blessing"

1998 Quarterfinals: Best Arrangement – Josh Byrd for "We Won't Sing That Way"

2005 Quarterfinals: Runner-Up

2005 Quarterfinals: Outstanding Vocal Percussion – Travis Barron and Taylor Gray

2005 Semifinals: Outstanding Vocal Percussion – Travis Barron and Taylor Gray

2007 Quarterfinals: Runner-Up

2007 Semifinals: 3rd Place

2007 Semifinals: Best Arrangement – Yannick Morgan for "Ain't No Sunshine"

2009 Quarterfinals: Champion

2009 Quarterfinals: Outstanding Arrangement: Kiley Dorton and Kirby Duncan for "Come Together"

2009 Quarterfinals: Outstanding Vocal Percussion: Schaffer Grey for "Come Together"

2009 Semifinals: Runner-Up

2009 Semifinals: Outstanding Vocal Percussion: Schaffer Grey

2010 Quarterfinals: Champion

2010 Quarterfinals: Outstanding Vocal Percussion: Schaffer Grey for "Come Together"

2010 Semifinals: Champion

2010 Finals: 3rd Place

2010 Finals: Outstanding Soloist: Langdon Quin for "Come Together"

2010 Finals: Outstanding Vocal Percussion: Schafer Gray of the Accidentals


SOJAM A Cappella Festival

2009 Audience Favorite Award

2009 Runner-Up

2009 Best Choreography

2009 Outstanding Soloist: Marcus Hines for "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing"