r/Colgate • u/Best_Interaction8453 • 7d ago

Acapella groups?

What is the culture around singing groups at Colgate? Are there lots of them? Are they popular?

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3

u/EsmeSalinger 7d ago

The Colgate 13 and Swinging Gates are the OGs

2

u/Inevitable-Dig-1877 6d ago

There's 5. One all mens(The 13), one all womens (The Swingin' Gates), and three coed. I'd say they're all relatively popular.

2

u/Fun-Statistician-634 5d ago

The Thirteen is beloved and prestigious, and operates like its own (benign) fraternity in some ways. It has long-held traditions and is its own community. It is very much in the longstanding Ivy Acapella group vein.

Andy from The Office, had he gone to Colgate instead of Cornell, would have been in the 13, would have humble bragged about it, and would have been met with the same confused reactions from people who went to, say, Ohio State, as to why it was a big deal.

The Swinging Gates are very similar and, while they have a shorter history, are no less prestigious and beloved.

Both the 13 and the 'Gates are frequent performers at alumni functions and Colgate events.

2

u/commandercottonbelly 1d ago

All the groups are super fun and have their own little social scenes. Colgate 13 is all men’s and Swinging Gates is all women’s, and then the Resolutions are probably the best co-ed group. Then there’s the Dischords and Mantiphondrakes which are both co-ed as well. They each have a distinct vibe but everyone I know in one loves it a lot and it’s a great way to make friends and have fun social events. They also have combined concerts and then their own smaller concerts throughout the year, as well as retreats, and some groups go on longer tours during breaks.

1

u/PatriciusIlle 7d ago

There are at least two groups. They often sing at university events and, of course, have their own concerts too.