Out of the Blue (Yale University)

Out of the Blue
Also known as	OOTB
Origin	Yale University
Genres	Pop rock a cappella
Years active	1986-present
Labels	Independent
Website	yaleootb.com

Out of the Blue is also the name of collegiate a cappella groups at Duke University, Geneseo, and Oxford University.

Out of the Blue (sometimes abbreviated OOTB) as is an award-winning co-ed a cappella group from Yale University known for its dynamic performance style and constantly changing repertoire of innovative arrangements. Out of the Blue's repertoire includes music that spans 50 years and multiple genres, including rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and dubstep. The group has been featured on the Sing series, won multiple ICCA titles, shared the stage with Ben Folds and Sister Hazel, and performed in countries around the world. Out of the Blue records a full-length studio album every two years, and two of their most recent albums have been featured on compilation a cappella albums and nominated by the Contemporary A Cappella Society for Best Arrangement by a Mixed Collegiate A Cappella Group.

Out of the Blue's most recent album, Split the Dark, is their eleventh studio effort and was released August 16, 2013.

History

Founded in 1986 by a group of eight students determined to create a new brand of "Yale a cappella," Out of the Blue began as the a cappella group "Untapped Potential." In 1988, the group changed its name to Out of the Blue and joined Yale's Singing Group Council, the organization responsible for facilitating relationships between Yale's 15 undergraduate a cappella groups and the College as a whole. Since its founding, Out of the Blue has evolved into the College's most dynamic vocal group, entertaining audiences around the world with an eclectic repertoire of current and classic pop, rock, R&B, jazz, and dubstep.

Out of the Blue has performed in diverse and exotic venues, from the United States Embassy in Singapore to Madison Square Garden in New York City. The group has opened for major recording artists like Ben Folds and Sister Hazel and performed for diplomats, Nobel Laureates, and Supreme Court Justices. In addition to performances, OOTB leads master classes for students all over the world, many of which have inspired kids to start their own school a cappella groups. The group recorded their first full-length studio album in 1990, entitled "No Rough Edges." Each year, the group embarks on two to three regional or international tours. Past tour destinations have included Los Angeles, Ukraine, London, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Washington D.C., and Geneva. As of 2013, Out of the Blue is preparing tours to Philadelphia, Berlin, and Hong Kong.

Rush

As a member of Yale's Singing Group Council, Out of the Blue follows the standard procedure for the audition process at Yale. Over the course of two short performances, prospective singers can sample the group, and decide whether or not to sign up for an audition. The process of Rush may take anywhere from two weeks to a month, over the course of which all the a cappella groups associated with the Singing Group Council hold auditions, rush meals, singing desserts, and callbacks. The process culminates in Tap Night, an event in which every a cappella group lines up at High Street Gate and hurries to induct the prospective singers into their group. In 2013, Out of the Blue successfully tapped six new members of the class of 2017.

Members

• Daniel Reardon '13+1 - Musical Director
• Spencer Villars '16 - Assistant Musical Director
• Kate Taylor Mighty '15 - Business Manager
• John Shively '15 - Business Manager
• Natalie Punzak '16 - Business Manager-elect
• Ned Dana '15
• Carter Michael '15
• Reine Ibala '16
• James Lee '16
• Sonali Chauhan '17
• Jackie Ferro '17
• Hayden Kline '17
• Alex Lee '17
• Payal Modi '17
• Michaela Murphy '17

Notable Alumni

• Sol Kim-Bentley, opera singer
• Jeff Locker, international television personality/talk host
• Katelena Hernandez Cowles, singer and visual/performing artist
• Jon Bittner, co-founder of Splitwise
• Zack O'Malley Greenburg, journalist; author of Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went From Street Corner to Corner Office
• Lee Seymour, Off-Broadway producer/performer
• Kurt Schneider, producer, performer, and internet celebrity
• Ryan Laughlin, co-founder of Splitwise
• Emily Misch, opera singer

Discography

• Split the Dark (2013)
• Brand New Walk (EP) (2012)
• 16 Edgewood (2011)
• Getting Wise (2009)
• Morning Evening Everything (2007)
• No Pun Intended (2005)
• Soaked To The Skin (2003)
• Phraseology (2001)
• Exit 7 (1999)
• Christmas at Yale (1997)
• On Tap (1997)
• Stealing Spoons (1993)
• No Rough Edges (1990)

Accolades

Out of the Blue has competed successfully in multiple competitions. Most notably, the group was named Northeast Champion at the 2012 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, where they were also recognized for exceptional choreography and best arrangement (for "Something's Got a Hold of Me/Candyman").[3] They have placed in regional competitions, won a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award CARA for Best Soloist (Aviva Musicus ('13), Bottom of the River, Brand New Walk) and been nominated for a CARA Best Arrangement By a Mixed Group (Black and Gold, 16 Edgewood).[4] The group has been featured on Sing compilation albums twice, most recently in 2013, for "I'd Do It All Again" (Split the Dark).[5] Recently, the group placed first in Bristol Recording Studio's A Cappella Armageddon 2013[6], marking Out of the Blue's first competitive win of the 2013/2014 season.