The Night Owls (also known as the "Owls") is the oldest continuous women's and genderqueera cappella group in the United States. Formed in 1942,[1] they are Vassar College's oldest a cappella group. The Night Owls are a soprano/alto jazz ensemble that performs a range of music from jazz standards to current pop hits to indie-folk music.
History
The Night Owls perform in all-black to honor the tradition of the group's founding. In the midst of a polio outbreak in 1942, sixteen students left their quarantined dormitories, dressed in black, and sneaked into the library basement at night to perform for their classmates.[2][3]
The group performs throughout Vassar's academic year including at final concerts in December and May, local fundraisers, joint concerts with other Vassar and non-Vassar a cappella groups, and Vassar events. Alumnae of the group include actress Meryl Streep.[2]
^"1993, January 20". www.vassar.edu. The Night Owls were among nine musical groups selected to perform on "The Voice of America," the final float in President Clinton's inaugural parade. Sadly, the float's brakes locked entering the parade, forcing it to remain on the sidelines.