The Melody Lingers On

(6/29/2010)

Those fortunate enough to attend a special charity performance on Monday, June 21, 2010, by the Yale University "Whiffenpoofs" at the Astor Ballroom of the St. Regis Bali were treated to a night of memorable music, not soon to be forgotten.

The 14-strong male a cappella group stopped in Bali as part of a world-wide tour. Celebrating 101 years since their founding in 1909, the "Whiffenpoofs" brought to Bali a rich musical tradition of a perennial choir of graduating Yale seniors who have sung at the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The White House and are a regular fixture on American TV.

The Bali Performance opened with a stirring rendition of "Aj Lucka, Lucka Siroka" - a Czech (Bohemian) marching song performed as the troupe paraded into the Astor Ballroom. Moving into a more contemporary sound, the Ivy League upperclassmen then sang a syncopated arrangement of "On Broadway" - a 1963 hit made famous by the The Drifters and, again, 15 years later in 1978 by George Benson. In succession and interspersed by humorous monologues by the singers, was "Nature Boy" recorded memorably by Nat King Cole in 1948; "Midnight Train to Georgia; the haunting "When Sunny Gets Blue"; Cole Porter's "Too Darn Hot" from "Kiss Me Kate"; "New Hymn"; and "Operator" of Manhattan Transfer fame.

After a short intermission, the group returned with "Little Pony," followed by Kermit the Frog's "Rainbow Connection"; Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet"; Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer"; Marvin Gaye's "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"; the Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne standard "Time After Time"; the American gospel chestnut "When the Saints Go Marching in"; before closing with the Whiffenpoof's familair theme:

To the tables down at Mory's,

To the place where Louis dwells,

To the dear old Temple Bar

We love so well,



Sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled

With their glasses raised on high,

And the magic of their singing casts its spell.



Yes, the magic of their singing

Of the songs we love so well:

"Shall I, Wasting" and "Mavourneen" and the rest.



We will serenade our Louis

While life and voice shall last

Then we'll pass and be forgotten with the rest.



We are poor little lambs

Who have lost our way. Baa! Baa! Baa!

We are little black sheep

Who have gone astray.

Baa! Baa! Baa!



Gentlemen songsters off on a spree

Damned from here to eternity

God have mercy on such as we.

Baa! Baa! Baa!

Following the recital, the sheeepigh Whiffenpoofs still dressed in their trademark white gloves and tails, joined guest for a sumptuous late-evening buffet prepared by the St. Regis.

Proceeds from the evening were donated to two Bali orphanages - Guna Tuna Rungu and Udyana Wiguna.

Bali Discovery Tours was a contributing sponsor to the Whiffenpoofs appearance in Bali, providing a day of sightseeing for the visiting artists.