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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Rebecca Barnhart, William & Mary Special Collections Research Center staff.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Custodial History:
Additional portions of the collection were removed from the artificial collection the University Archives Publications Collection. The portions of the collection given to the University Archives prior to 2007 were assigned the accession number 2007.030 except for the material included as part of acc. 1994.032.
Preferred Citation:
The Gentlemen of the College records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Acquisition Information:
The collection was given to the University Archives prior to 2007 and at least a portion was a gift of Michael Fitch. Acc. 1994.032 was also received by the University Archives. Acc. 1995.007, scrapbooks, was received from the organization on 5/14/1993. The provenance of portions of the collection is uncertain and was given the accession number 2007.030. Accession 2007.78 was received on 11/20/2007 from the Gentlemen of the College via business manager Dan Maguire.
Processing Information:
Records received prior to 2007 were described as part of the University Archives Publications Collection. This material was reprocessed by Rebecca Barnhart, SCRC Staff, when additional material was received from the Gentlemen of the College in November 2007.
Historical Note:
The Gentlemen of the College, a men's a cappella group at the College of William and Mary, was organized in January 1990 and formally recognized by the Office of Student Activities in November 1990. Founding members identified in a photograph taken in Fall 1990 include Doug Stambler, class of 1992, and Michael Fitch, class of 1993. As of December 2007, the group remains active on campus and is the oldest men's a cappella group at the College of William and Mary. The group performs live many times throughout the academic year. Performances are both on and off campus in the Williamsburg area in addition to their annual spring tour and any competitions in which they compete throughout the year. The group performs barbershop standards in addition to more modern tunes with traditional a cappella arrangements. Typically the group will consist of anywhere from 10-15 members. Their performances are known for lively antics during the songs and the comedy skits performed between numbers. Every academic year ends with a Gentlemen of the College final concert in Phi Beta Kappa Hall. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
The records of the College of William and Mary men's a capella group Gentlemen of the College include internal and external correspondence related to public performances; the constitution and by-laws; fliers advertising performances and auditions; a history of the group; membership lists; photographs; an extensive collection of audiovisual material documenting both live performances and studio sessions; and several scrapbooks. A portion of the collection was created to mark the group's 10th and 20th anniversaries, however, material from throughout the group's history available.
Arrangement of Materials:
This collection is arranged into five series: Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1990-1998; Series 2: Audiovisual Material, 1990-2000; Series 3: Photographs, 1990-2000; Series 4: Administrative Records, 1990-2005; and Series 5: Publicity Material, 1990-2006.
Related Material
University Archives Subject File Collection (UA 9); University Archives Photograph Collection; University Archives Artifact Collection (UA 13) ; University Archives Poster Collection (UA 12); University Archives Audiovisual Collection (UA 58).
Separated Material
Artifacts related to the Gentlemen of the College have been separated from this collection and have been added to the University Archives Artifact Collection.
Two tablecloths that were used at the 2003-2004 banquet were deaccessioned from this collection in May 2010.
Audiovisual material from the Gentlemen of the College have been separated from this collection and have been added to the University Archives Audiovisual Collection under Acc. 2007.030.001-2007.030.093
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- College of William and Mary--Alumni and alumnae
- College of William and Mary--Students
- Constitutions
- Correspondence
- Fliers (printed matter)
- Lapel Pins
- Music
- Negatives
- Photographs
- Programs
- Rosters
- Scrapbooks
- Sound Recordings
- Student Organizations
- Sweat shirts
- T-shirts
- Video recordings
Container List
Scope and Contents This collection contains several scrapbooks, all of which were compiled by the Gentlemen of the College's historian during the years which they chronicle. They all contain photographs, correspondence, schedules, newspaper clippings, fliers, and assorted ephemera. The first scrapbook covers the academic year of 1990-1991. Although it has been removed from its binder, its organization remains intact. The second one is for the academic year of 1991-1992. The third scrapbook covers the academic year of 1992-1993. The fourth scrapbook covers the academic year of 1993-1994. The fifth scrapbook covers the academic year of 1996-1997. The final scrapbook covers the academic year of 1997-1998. In addition to the original scrapbooks, the collection also contains photocopies of the first three.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id16458
Scrapbook1990-1991Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents This scrapbook has been removed from its binder; however, its organization remains intact.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id16459
Scrapbook; photocopy1990-1991
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id16460
Scrapbook; photocopy1991-1992
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4 id16461
Scrapbook; photocopy1992-1993
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 id16462
Scrapbook1991-1992
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 id16463
Scrapbook1992-1993
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 id16464
Scrapbook1996-1997
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id16465
Scrapbook1993-1994
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id16466
Scrapbook1997-1998
Scope and Contents The Gentlemen of the College have amassed a vast collection of CDs, cassettes, VHS, DAT, VHSC, Hi8, reel-to-reel, as well as zip drives of album artwork. This collection documents both live performances by the group as well as studio sessions recording their albums.
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18922
Untitled1993 April 19-20Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-label reads "Copy of 4/19 and 4/20/93 DAT recording. This side made with Dolby B. Sides A & B"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18923
"Boomerang Fish"1994Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-studio recording-3 copies
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18924
VA Belles and Gentlemen of the College 1994 Spring Concert1994Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-live recording-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18925
"Gentlemen of the College Recommended Barbershop Songs"1997 JulyScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-Side 1 is songs with arrangements already in the group's archives. Side 2 is songs where the Gentlemen don't already own copies of the arrangements, but they are available-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18926
National Championships of College Acappella1998Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-the labels indicates this is a (dub)-2 copies
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18927
Gentlemen Final Concert1998Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-this is the first part of the show-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18928
Gentlemen Final Concert1998Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-this is the second part of the show-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18929
Yale Spizzwinks1991Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-side 1 has "Lunchlady (better version)" and "Mighty Love (cut off)." Side 2 has "(1) Mighty Love" and "(2) Monty Python's Philosopher's Song (cut off)"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18930
Keepsake-1992 International Champions1992Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-this is a tape of the group Keepsake-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18931
Gas House Gang-1993 International Champions1993Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-this is a tape of the group Gas House Gang-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18933
UntitledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-label reads, "Songs where a take was chosen-that is the only take on this tape. Where take was not chosen, all takes are here"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18932
"Forever, August Moon"UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-lyrics and music by Robert Flinn-2 copies
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18934
"Music Premiere No. 1"UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-professional version released by S.P.E.B.Q.S.A.-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18935
"Silver Sounds"UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-label lists individual tracks-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18936
"And This is Love"UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18937
UnlabeledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-No label, but it sounds like a GOC final concert, possibly during the years Mike Fitch was still a member-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18938
Gentlemen of the College Original DAT1993Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-label reads, "Gentlemen of the College Original DAT. Recorded 4/19 & 4/20/93. Ends at 4624 on counter"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18939
Gentlemen 1993-1994 Original Master1993-94Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18940
Original-All Takes1994Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-label reads, "Gentlemen of the College, Recordings from 1/30/94 and 2/17/94. Original-all takes"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18941
Gentlemen of the College Recordings1995 November 12Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18942
Untitled #1Spring 1996Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18943
Untitled #2Spring 1996Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18944
A Cappella Comeptition1997 February 8Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18945
Gentlemen of the College Homecoming Concert1997 October 25Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-labeled as the original-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18946
Untitled1998 April 25Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18947
Untitled1998 April 25Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-this has a #2 on the label. It is unclear if it is a copy of Item #40 or the second part of a larger recording-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18948
1998 National Championship a College Acappella (original)1998Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-2 copies
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18949
Untitled1999Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-labeled as a backup-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18950
Accidentals and Gentlemen of the College1999 March 27Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-the label states this show was in the Great Hall at 6pm-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18951
Untitled2000Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-this is 1 of 2-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18952
Untitled2000Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-this is 2 of 2-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18953
Untitled, #12002Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-labeled as final-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18954
Untitled, #22002Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-this is labeled as final-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18955
"Gentlemen Start Your Engines"1996Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-this is the master recording for their studio release-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18956
Final Concert #1UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18957
Final Concert #2UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18958
UntitledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-the label lists track names with minimal notes accompanying-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18959
UntitledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-the label says "Wren, Brett Thompson Rec."-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18960
Gentlemen of the College--Homecoming1995 October 28Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-the labels indicates this was recorded in the UC auditorium-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18961
Untitled1995 December 8Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-labels says 30 min.-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18962
UnlabeledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DAT-there is no label on this recording-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18963
"Shades of Khaki" artworkUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents ZIP-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18964
"Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" artworkUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents ZIP-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18965
Gentlemen of the College Rough Cut Side 1UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18966
Gentlemen of the College Rough Cut Side 2UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18967
Back-Up Copy Gentlemen of the College Album1992Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-label reads, "Side 1, 15 I.P.S., Tails Out, No Noise Reduction"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18968
Back-Up Copy Gentlemen of the College Album1992Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-label reads, "Side 2, 15 I.P.S., Tails Out, No Noise Reduction"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18969
Untitled Part 11991 May 3Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-label reads, "7 1/2 I.P.S. Tails Out. 1/2 Track Stereo."-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18970
Untitled Part 21991 May 3Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-label reads, "7 1/2 I.P.S. Tails Out. 1/2 Track Stereo."-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18971
Untitled #11992 February 21Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18972
Untitled #21992 February 21Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18973
Untitled #31992 February 21Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18974
Untitled #41992 February 22Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18975
Untitled #51992 February 22Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Reel to Reel-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18976
Untitled #11998-1999Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DTRS-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18977
Untitled #21998-1999Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents DTRS-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18978
Untitled Tape 2 (A)UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DTRS-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18979
Untitled Tape 2 (B)UndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents DTRS-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18980
UntitledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents VHSC-this appears to be 2 of 3-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18981
UntitledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents VHSC-this appears to be 3 of 3-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18982
Final ConcertSpring 1994Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18983
Concert1996 April 26Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18984
A Cappella Competition1997 February 8Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18985
Gentlemen of the Recording Session1997 February 16Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18986
Untitled1997 December 20Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-labels says "#1"-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18987
Untitled1998 February 15Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18988
Final Concert1999Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18989
UnabeledUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents Hi8-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18990
Scratch Tape for Gentlemen of the College 1995 Concert Video1995Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents VHS-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18991
End-Of-Year ConcertSpring 1997Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents VHS-label says this is a copy-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id19010
Real World, RawUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents VHS-raw footage of a spoof Real World video the Gentlemen made-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id19011
Real WorldUndatedScope and Contents
Scope and Contents VHS-edited footage from the raw footage in item 86. This is a spoof on the MTV show "The Real World" featuring the Gentlemen of the College-1 copy
- Mixed Materials Box: 8 id18921
"Jump The Wall"1992Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents Cassette-studio recording-1 copy
Scope and Contents There is an incredible collection of undated performance, rehearsal, and publicity photographs. While most were not identified, most have been classified as performance and rehearsal related. There are also numerous undated candid photographs of the group, as well as photographs from the 10 year reunion in 2000. This series also contains the negatives for a portion of the photographs in this collection.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1 id16274
NegativesUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 2 id16275
Photographs, Candid1994-1998
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 3 id16277
Photographs, CandidUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 4 id16278
Photographs, CandidUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 1 id16279
Photographs, Candid1994-1998
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 2 id16266
Photographs, Performance and RehearsalUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 3 id16267
Photographs, Performance and Rehearsal1996-1999
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 4 id16268
Photographs, Performance and RehearsalUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 5 id16269
Photographs, Performance and Rehearsal Related1993-2002
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 1 id15573
Photographs, 10 Year Reunion2000
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 2 id16024
Photographs, PublicityUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 1 id92652
Photographs of 20th Reunion2010 April
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 2 id92653
Photographs of 20th Reunion2010 April
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 3 id92654
Photographs of 20th Reunion2010 April
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 4 id211628
Photographs1992
- id16270
11x14 Publicity Photograph1997-1998
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 5
Photographs of spring tour2023
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 6
Photographs of Charter Day ceremony2023 February 10
Scope and Contents This series chronicles some aspects of the inner workings of the Gentlemen of the College. Included in this series is a collection of alumni newsletters from 1994-1999. There is also an organization file which contains a few papers from 1990-1993, including a version of the bylaws, contact sheets, and correspondence from 2005 regarding official recognition from the College of William and Mary as the first male a cappella group in the College's history. The bulk of information related to the inner organization of the group, at least in the early years, can be found in the scrapbooks. There is a folder of correspondence related to the planning of the 10 year reunion celebration as well as a folder of correspondence both to and from the group and the individual members. There is a folder related to concert planning including schedules and song lists for specific performances from 1990-1998. There is also a folder related to planning for the group's spring retreats from 1993-1996. There is some sheet music in this collection as well as a folder that contains some information on the recording process of the group in 1994-1998. Finally, this series contains some assorted ephemera from 1991-1993 including invitations, airplane tickets, a sticker, and business cards.
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 3 id16026
Alumni Newsletters1994-1999
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 4 id16271
Concert Planning1990-1998
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 5 id16272
Correspondence1990-1996
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 6 id16027
Ephemera1991-1993
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 7 id16273
MusicUndated
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 8 id16028
Organization1990-2005
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 9 id15574
Recording1994-1998
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 10 id15575
Retreat Planning1993-1996
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 11 id16029
10 Year Reunion Planning2000
- Mixed Materials Box: 6 Folder: 12 id70784
20 Year Reunion Planning2010
Scope and Contents The items in this series were all intended for public viewing. There is an extensive collection of fliers posted around the campus advertising performances and auditions. These span the years 1990-2006. There are also a few performance programs and newspaper clippings. Finally, this series contains a few undated printouts from the group's website.
- Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 1 id16022
Fliers1990-1999
- Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 2
Fliers2000-[ongoing]
- Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 3 id16023
Newspaper clippings1992-2011
- Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 4 id16025
Programs1992-2012
- Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 5 id16264
Website printoutsundated
-
Gentlemen of the College "Shades of Khaki" Artwork Zip Disk
-
The Gentlemen of the College "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" Artwork Zip Disk
- Mixed Materials Box: 7 Folder: 6
Fliers and program2023 May 5
- Mixed Materials Box: 9 Folder: 7
Correspondence to Jack and The Gents from Ali VanDewark