Gather Close... The Buffers Turn 75
Hamilton’s oldest a cappella group, the Buffers are marking a milestone this year — 75 years of sharing song and laughter on College Hill and beyond. Here’s a look at just a few highlights through the decades.
What’s in a Name?
Heated discussions arise around what the group should be called. Suggestions range from Von Steuben’s Boys to The Continentals. Someone suggests the College colors — which prior to becoming buff and blue was pink. Clearly Pinkies was not an option. Finally, Addy Keeler suggests Buffers, and the name sticks.
“Our songs were old-fashioned, straight barbershop stuff, and we were utterly without a sense of showmanship. We stood stiff as sentinels without even a hint of a gesture. We came back to the Hill knowing well that we had a very long way to go to match virtually all the other groups. Many of them had some uniform item of dress. We fell in line. All save me owned tattersall vests. I borrowed one from a fraternity brother, too cheap to buy my own, and that became our ‘uniform.’ It was Warren Dodson who rescued us with a new repertoire, and Addy Keeler who managed to get us lighthearted. We got better fast. Dodson got hold of some great arrangements, and Keeler taught us stage presence.”
1960s
1970s
Fritz Bergmann ’76 credits College Choir director Lee Spear for pushing the Buffers “beyond Hamilton’s old male choir tradition, encouraging us to broaden our repertoire and mission on and off campus.” The March 28, 1976, New York Times included the review of a performance by the Hamilton-Kirkland choirs and brass choirs after they made their New York debut at Town Hall. The writeup concluded with this mention: “an octet of singers called the Buffers offered an interlude of light music.”
1980s
Often partnering with the all-female group Special K, the Buffers host annual jamborees featuring such guests as the Smith Smithereens, the Middlebury Dissipated Eight, the Sonneteers from Skidmore, and the Connecticut College Cocobeauxs. The Feb. 27, 1981, Spectator reviewed one such gathering, noting: “The Buffers landed on stage (literally) in leaps and bounds, and spent the rest of the evening plying us with anecdotes, pantomimes, and fine vocals. Old favorites like “Standin’ On the Corner” and “‘Coney Island Baby” are sure crowd pleasers. Chip Bristol’s [’82] stunt fall, John Abbott’s [’81] sobs, and Joe Greene’s [’82] dry sense of humor had us snapping and cheering. Tim Morgan [’82], John Hadity [’83], Erick Steen [’83], John Hanselman [’83], and Alan Cienki [’82] contributed to the keen production. All this and they sing well too. Vaudeville here they come!”
1990s
Although nothing beats a live Buffers performance, listening to a recording comes close. This story includes a selection of tunes through the years — including a few from the 1996 album The Buffers Eat Sandwiches. Liner notes include, “The Buffers, an a cappella singing group shrouded in fraternal mystery, continue their brilliant legacy of astounding harmonic virtuosity, unparalleled intellectual witticism and good fashion sense. As the oldest and wisest a cappella singing group at Hamilton College, they are respected by the college community and neither matched nor surpassed in their melodic capabilities. The Buffers reached DEFCON 5 this year at a supersaturation of 15 men. ... Our repertoire has now expanded to include the expected barbershop and pop tunes, and diversified to include rock, hip-hop, classical, folk, and traditional.”
2000s
