UGA Accidentals

The Definitive Accidentals History

The Accidentals, a thirteen member a cappella ensemble at UGA, has been a Glee Club tradition for 31 years. The group had its Genesis back in 1974 when the Dirsector of The UGA Men's Glee Club, Dr. E. Pierce Arant, Jr. (read: "Coach"), decided to liven up the concerts a bit by having a feature quartet. Then over time four members became eight, and eight members became 13 in a process called "Mitosis."

The real first real change in the Accidentals came in the mid 1980's, when the group was extended to eight members. John Davis was the director at the time, and one of the new members was a strapping young buck named Paul Tate. Paul began arranging new music for the group, a welcome and refreshing change from the barbershop and spiritual music that had always dominated the group's repertoire. His songs were actual pop songs, and soon became the favorites of the Accidentals and their audiences. Soon after, four more members were added, bringing the Accidental total to 12, and Paul Tate's pen continued to produce more and more music for the guys. But the early days of this genre were tough...they found it difficult to switch gears between barbershop, jazz, spiritual and pop music. This was evident at the 1993 Glee Club Spring Concert, where the Accidentals performed their first non-Tate pop arrangement (Africa, arr. Maffett). Of course, they fell on their respective faces. They still had too much choral in them, and rather sang Toto as if it were Tchaikovsky. (*shudder* It was horrible.)

Not to be hindered by the initial defeat, Paul Tate took up the Directorship the next year and proceeded to whip the 12 into shape. More training and arrangements brought about a better sound. Then yet another landmark event, they recorded their first album, On the Map at Maxwell Sound. The studio was not really set up to accommodate vocal ensembles, but never the less the guys made a half-decent first recording! On the Map, which was only available on cassette, sold out quickly- much to the delightment of the twelve and their director.

Our second recording came earlier then expected, due to a large contribution in 1993 by a very gracious host, Amway. (Thanks Mr. Joy!) This album S.O.L.D. O.U.T. (Songs Of Liberty, Devotion, and Other Universal Truths), was a great improvement on the first album because (a) the group was more accustomed to singing different genres of music, (b) The group had more time to accustom themselves to the other voices, and (c) we got to use the new multi-tracking machine in the studio, and the newly-built acoustic room at Maxwell sound (made possible by our recordings).

With minimal membership turnover, the second year of the Paul Tate era continued in the 1994-95 school year, as the Accidentals began to grow into a more professional group. Instead of singing a few barbershop tunes at Glee Club concerts, the group was now performing at various places throughout the year. The group was able to go on a Winter Tour to build money up for the next recording, which was released the following spring. Songs From Uncle Paul's Cabin allowed us to delve into the more serious side of our music, and also achieve the tightness we needed for some kick-butt pop numbers as well. The title is a reference to the cabin in the mountains of Dahlonega, GA, where the Accidentals would go for weekend practice retreats. (as it said on the album, it isn't really Uncle Paul's, but he is who we associate the place with.) Sadly, at the end of the year, Paul decided that he needed to move on. He had long since graduated with a degree in Music Theory and another in Composition, and needed to venture out into (*gasp*) The Real World. And to boot, we lost seven of our number to graduations and such.

The 1995-96 year brought many challenges, like breaking in seven new members and our new director, Mr. Joel Mikell. Joel brought the serious side of our music into focus, and provided a positive influence on us and our singing. For his conducting classes, we undertook a Herculean effort: performing two Schubert choral works for the spring concert. With the assistance of a very talented Mr. Stuart Buck on the classical guitar, we pulled off the numbers with very little flubbing on the German pronunciations!

In 1996, the Men's Glee Club and all its alumni celebrated 30 years under the baton of the late Dr. E. Pierce Arant, Jr. (Thanks Coach, for all you have done for the Glee Club and for us.) It was also the year of the Accidentals' first Invitational concert, UGAPALOOZA! Our guest groups included The UNC Tar Heel Voices and The William & Mary Gentlemen of the College. The concert was a total success, and great fun for all the groups involved.

At the beginning of the 1996-97 year, Joel left the group to accept a position as Minister of Music for a large church in Ft. Worth, Texas. To calm the chaos that ensued, Bradley Thompson, a graduate assistant for the Glee Club, stepped up to the plate as our new director. This now the third director in as many years was a difficult thing for the guys, but they accepted these changes and kept singing! In February of 1997, The Accidentals performed in their first a cappella competition, the southeast regional of The National Championships of Collegiate A Cappella, and walked away with First Place, and a Best Arrangement Award for Paul Tate's "Blessing." The guys were absolutely elated- the hard work had finally paid off!

Our second annual UGAPALOOZA invitational, surprised us all when we sold out the 360 seat Ramsey Recital Hall! We were blessed with more talented groups than you can shake a stick at! Guests included Noteworthy, Upscale, Octave, The Southern Accents, and Spaghetti Junction. The concert was recorded and a CD- UGAPALOOZA '97- was released in the summer.

The Accidentals found themselves with new director in the 1997-98 school year (These guys change directors like Josh Head changes underwear...every year, that is.--Ed.) Mr. George Hobbs became the fearless leader of the twelve.

Y2K brought a totally new face to the Accidentals. Philip Shoultz began the 1999-2000 school year as the group's director. However, after taking a job in a nearby school system, the Accidentals once again found themselves without a director. After taking a group vote, it was decided that a full-time director was not needed. The group could exist on its own with one of the members of the group serving as Musical Director with others as Business Director, Public Relations/Tour Director, Secretary-Treasurer, Album Director, and Webmaster. David "Slappy" Daly was selected as the Music Director.

The 1999-2000 season also brought with it the first Accidentals studio release since 1995. Recorded in July of 2000, PDA (Public Displays of A Cappella) is scheduled to be on the market early in 2001. While the CD is not a complete departure from past Accidentals' albums, the new album does promise to be something a little different, focusing even heavier on the group's "pop/rock" side. The album features the award-winning Backstreet Boys parody "We Won't Sing That Way" and an edgy George Michael medley in addition to several other arrangements that achieved cult-like status with the many sororities on campus.

Now in the 2000-2001 session, Barron Breland has been selected as the group's Musical Director and with him at the stead, the Accidentals are looking forward to another jam-packed school year. Already in the works is a long-awaited Christmas album, Meanwhile, Back at Christmas..., which was recorded live at the Accidentals' Christmas Concert in Edge Recital Hall on December 2, 2000. This album is also slated to be released after the first of the year

In the 2001-2002 season, the Accidentals were led by the fearless John Poley. This was a busy year with alot of traveling, as the Accidentals loaded up onto the powerful "Acappella RV" to take their spring break tour out west. The Accidentals participated in, and hosted the ICCA's this year. Also this year, the Accidentals launched their new website, UGA-Accidentals.com.

Once again, John Poley has been selected as the groups musical director for the 2002-2003 season. The group has been having a great money making year so far, and has decided not to take a spring tour this year, so they could start working on another cd spring semester. UGAPALOOZA 2003 was a huge success, and we sold over 550 tickets, selling out the historic Morton Theatre in downtown Athens. There were five collegiate groups performing, as well as one professional group, measurexmeasure.

And again, in the 2003-2004 school year, John Poley is still with us as our musical director. This is a big year for us, as we venue-shop for our next UGAPALOOZA venue, and we FINALLY begin to record our long-awaited new studio album! The Album is being recorded at APC Studios in Atlanta, and is being produced by Dave Sperandio, and his company, Diovoce, Inc. None of the Above is slated to be released at UGAPALOOZA 2004!

2005 was awesome! The Accidentals have had a great fall season, and an even better spring semester. The Accidentals Alumni Association was formed this year, and UGAPALOOZA was such a success, we had to turn MANY away at the door. It's a great problem to have. The Accidentals competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella this year-- and placed second at the divisional, second at the regional semi-finals, and advanced to the finals!  Planning is underway for our next cd for next fall...