the early History of the compulsive lyres

The Compulsive Lyres began as an outgrowth of a Greek Week sing team. 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 than the level needed for Greek Week. In January 1998, the group was reorganized and auditions 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 level of dedication and 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, and turnover among the group was high. As the original members graduated, the newer members were increasingly unsatisfied with music being a secondary goal and by the 2000-2001 academic year, turnover reached 50% every semester, and the group struggled to recruit new members and music directors.

In January 2001, the group decided that they were going to take 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. A new organizational structure resulted in smooth operation, and financial growth. Lyres’ first attempt at a studio recording was selected to be featured on the 2002 Best Of College A cappella (BOCA) album, and their first entry into the International Championship of Collegiate A cappella (ICCA) advanced them to the quarterfinals.

Their fall concert, the 1st Annual Michigan A Cappella Festival was a resounding 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. In December 2001, a live recording of the show was released and so became Lyres’ first CD ever.

Spring 2002 also brought the Lyres to the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. After taking first place at the quarterfinals in the University of Wisconsin and first place at the semifinals at the University of Illinois, the Lyres advanced to the International Finals in New York City’s Lincoln Center.

At the Lincoln Center, the Lyres again took first place, making them the International Grand Champions of Collegiate A Cappella for 2002. After, the Lyres were invited to perform on the Today Show – something no ICCA Champion had been asked to do in the past. Matt Lauer, the host of the Today Show, called the Lyres performance ‘impressive,’ which remains one of the greatest honors bestowed upon the Lyres to this day. The Compulsive Lyres remain the only University of Michigan group to have won this title.

The Compulsive Lyres’ journey through the a cappella world continues to this day – to check on their progress, check our their most recent news, or the media page for their most recent performances!