Quartet singing is a tradition at the UGC since its earliest days.
In 1929, The Hambone Cup initiated its beginning. It endures in a spirited annual competition of numerous quartets formed from within the club. Since 1930, "Quartet Night" competition is in the spring. The competition is one of the highlights of the year.
Competition is fierce for the coveted cup. Each quartet must sing the same "Prize Song", chosen by the Music Committee, plus one "Contest Song" of the Quartet's choice. Many singers have won numerous times, often in different combinations, and even in different parts!
Over the years the Contest Songs have steadily moved beyond traditional barbershop into more modern arrangements, with music from the likes of Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Fats Waller, and others.
In 1923, the original Hambones were the first male quartet to sing over the radio. James A. Leyden, who had organized the quartet four years earlier, Introduced the singers as the world's worst quartet, singing for their amusement but other's amazement. The Hambones themselves donated the now infamous cup in response to a challenge in 1930.
Wek Mapletoft was a leader and an inspiration to quartet singing from his first win in 1935. He sang in winning groups eleven times in thirty one years. After Wek's tragic death following a car crash, his many fans created a special fund in his honor. Through the fund, each member of the winning quartet receives his own inscribed pewter horn mug to commemorate Wek and the Hambone achievement.
The Hambone is a quintessential element of the University Glee Club's love of song, of fine melody, lyrics, harmony, of creative arranging—and the thrills they produce.
Winners
2002. The winners of the 2002 Hambone Cup were Keith Crowningshield, John Dorer, Jack Dorer, and Chris Moore, who performed as "The Sunshine Band" (later extended to "KC and the Sunshine Band"). The prize was awarded amidst spirited competition—including a third-place winning group of freshmen—on May 2, 2001, and the group will perform at the May 11 Spring Concert. Photos
2001. The winners of the 2001 Hambone Cup were Keith Crowningshield, John Dorer, Jack Dorer, and Chris Moore, who performed as "KC and the Sunshine Band" (later shortened to "The Sunshine Band"). The prize was awarded amidst spirited competition—including two groups of freshmen—on April 26, 2001, and the group performed at the May 4 Spring Concert. Photos