Compulsive Lyres

The Compulsive Lyres is an a cappella group at the University of Michigan. The group includes both music and non-music majors and sings various arrangements of pop, rock, and R&B songs.

Compulsive Lyres
The Compulsive Lyres performing at 2019 ICCA Quarterfinals.
Background information
OriginUniversity of Michigan
GenresA cappella
Years active1997present
MembersPerc
Emma Carter '21

Soprano
Maddy Sharp '20
Sydney Vollmar '21
Ella Kethledge '23
Sam Hoey '23

Alto
Kate Anderson '20
Maddie Lane '21
Kate Kachmer '21
Loren Jacobs '22
Caroline Caulkins '23
Zoe Barnett '23

Tenor
Graham Sell '20
Jack Merruci '22
Luke McDonald '22

Baritone
Justin Sherman '20
Sam Ward '20
James Squillante '21
Nate Kennedy '23

Bass
Demetrius Markham '20
Matthew MacPhail '21

The Compulsive Lyres won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA)[1] in 2002, and remain the first and only Michigan group to win that honor. Following their win, the Lyres were invited to perform on The Today Show with Matt Lauer, and were featured on the Best of College A Cappella album.[2]

The Lyres hold auditions every September following U of M's "Acarush." Audition sign-ups take place in person on campus as well as on their website.

History

The Early Lyres

The Compulsive Lyres began as an outgrowth of a Greek Week sing team with the theme "Greek to Mi."[3] In the Spring of 1997, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority became the first sing team in the history of Greek Week to receive a perfect score. That following summer students decided that the experience was so much fun and the result so successful that it would be worth a try to keep the group going as an a cappella group. In the fall of 1997, the a cappella group of the University of Michigan Greek System met for the first time under the name Greek to Mi.

In its first year, the group had many hurdles to overcome. The initial group was un-auditioned - any member of the 1997 sing team was welcome. It was quickly discovered that both the level of commitment and musical ability needed for an a cappella group was substantially different from the level needed for Greek Week. In January 1998, the group was reorganized and auditions were held. By the end of the auditions, the group had 14 members from 10 different fraternities and sororities and had changed its name to "Compulsive Lyres". Although the level of dedication and overall musical ability was increased after the reorganization, the group's purpose remained primarily social in nature - music was a clear second. Those who came looking for friendship and camaraderie found plenty - the early group resulted in great friendships and even one marriage(!), but those who came seeking a serious devotion to a cappella music were often disappointed.

In January 2001, the group decided that they were going to take the Lyres in a new direction. The Lyres severed their formal association with the Greek system, opening the audition process to the entire campus. With musical excellence as the primary goal, Lyres searched out new members. Through the summer, the group prepared for what was to be the ultimate test - if the group actually dedicated a year to musical excellence, would they be able to succeed?

The answer was a resounding yes. In the fall of 2001, Lyres worked hard and reaped the benefits. Auditions resulted in an extremely strong collection of musicians, and a fall retreat brought the group closer than it had ever been, so close, in fact, that retreats are still an integral part of the Lyres experience today. Their fall concert, the 1st Annual Michigan A Cappella Festival, was a huge success, featuring 9 of the 12 active groups on campus over two nights. In its first year, MAC-Fest, as it came to be called, became the largest a cappella show of the year at The University of Michigan. As noted earlier, the Lyres largest success came in 2002, with their victory at the International Finals of the ICCAs, establishing the Lyres as a new power in the Michigan A Cappella community.

Recent History

Since their 2002 ICCA championship, the Lyres have continued to thrive as an a cappella group on campus. In particular, the Lyres have also begun a series of new traditions, showing that their innovative, driving presence in the a cappella community is as strong as ever. For one, the Lyres have begun to perform at bigger and better events. Not only have the Lyres become involved with Michigan Athletics, singing the national anthem at a variety of sporting events, but they have also opened for a number of notable recording artists, like Ben Folds.

The Lyres have found success with a series of performances they call "Friday Shows" - performing a free show every Friday around the campus of the University of Michigan. Recently, they have begun releasing a short film at their fall semester concert - such as spoofing the Harry Potter Series, releasing "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Lyres." They are the only Michigan group to have such a tradition.

In 2012, the Lyres competed in the ICCA once again, attempting to become just the third group in collegiate a cappella history to win the ICCA title twice. They now try to compete in the competition every other school year. Having most recently competed in ICCAs in February 2019, the group had the chance to perform in the University of Michigan's "Hill Auditorium," where Co-Music Director Emma Carter received the award for "Outstanding Vocal Percussionist."

Repertoire

Current Semester

Song Original Artist Arranged By Soloist(s)
Rich Girl Gwen Stefani Andrew Callahan Maddie Lane
Scared to Be Lonely Martin Garrix feat. Dua Lipa Emma Carter Kate Kachmer
Thunder Clouds LSD Graham Sell Loren Jacobs, George Davidson
Let the Light In Misterwives Graham Sell Sydney Vollmar
Don't Wait Mapei feat. Chance the Rapper Matthew MacPhail Loren Jacobs, Matthew MacPhail
Love Supreme NAO Graham Sell Mikaela Koelzer
Drive Miley Cyrus Billy Carleton Jr. Becca Polinsky
I Can't Make You Love Me Bonnie Raitt Sawyer Denton Mikaela Koelzer
Love You Long Time Jazmine Sullivan Mikaela Koelzer Mikaela Koelzer
Just a Memory ODESZA feat. Regina Spektor Emma Carter Kate Kachmer
Learn to Let Go Kesha Francesca Napolitano Francesca Napolitano
Apologize One Republic Emma Carter Evan Kolm
Little of Your Love HAIM Emma Carter Becca Polinsky

Permanent

Song Original Artist
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Superstition Stevie Wonder
Let It Be The Beatles
Yellow and Blue / Hail To The Victors University of Michigan
The Star Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key

Reserves

"Song Title" - Original Artist (Year Retired)

Current Officers

Executive Committee

Office Current Officer
Music Director Emma Carter
Music Director Matthew MacPhail
Assistant Music Director Jack Merruci
President Maddy Sharp
Business Manager Maddie Lane
Secretary Loren Jacobs
Publicity Manager Sydney Vollmar

Albums

The Compulsive Lyres have recorded one studio album

12 Step Program

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beautiful Oblivion"Elida Young3:22
2."Torn"Natalie Imbruglia4:05
3."Africa"Toto4:58
4."Stay"Dave Matthews3:12
5."Limp"Fiona Apple3:12
6."Hard To Say I'm Sorry"Chicago3:06
7."Hands Clean"Alanis Morissette3:52
8."It's Not Easy To Be Me"David Gray3:29
9."Devil Went Down To Georgia"Charlie Daniels3:40
10."Somewhere Over The Rainbow"Judy Garland3:30
11."Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"U25:41
12."That Lonesome Road"James Taylor3:01

References

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