The Idlers facts for kids
The Idlers are an all-male singing group from the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). They specialize in singing sea shanties (old sailor songs) and patriotic music without instruments, which is called a cappella.
What are the Idlers?
The Idlers are a special group at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. They are the only all-male singing group there. To join, students must try out in auditions each year. The group usually has between 12 and 20 members. They sing in four parts: Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, and Bass. The Idlers started in 1957 with 14 singers. They have a president and vice president who help lead the group.
The Idlers' History
How the Idlers Started
The Idlers began in 1957. Eight students from the Coast Guard Academy's Class of 1959 formed the group during a summer trip. The Academy's bandmaster, Don Janse, noticed them. Soon, they became very popular. By 1959, the Idlers had recorded three music albums. They even performed for President and Mrs. Eisenhower at the White House! They also appeared on a TV show called The Bell Telephone Hour.
The 1960s and New Songs
In the early 1960s, Don Janse returned to school for a short time. When he came back, he brought new songs for the Idlers. These songs, like "Banua" and the "Coast Guard Hymn," became very important to the group.
The 1970s and TV Appearances
The 1970s brought new interest in folk music. A smaller group, called The New London Trio, formed from the Idlers. They used instruments like guitars and banjos. The Idlers sang at a special event for Captain Hopley Yeaton, who is known as the father of the Coast Guard. On February 28, 1976, The Singing Idlers were on Saturday Night Live, a famous TV show! They also performed at museums in Washington D.C. for President Jimmy Carter's inauguration in 1977.
The 1980s and First Tours
The Idlers performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1980 and 1982. This is a very famous concert hall! In 1984, they were in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They rode on a float with a Statue of Liberty head. Don Janse retired in 1987. Dr. Robert Newton then became the director. Dr. Newton took the Idlers on their first trip to Florida in 1989. They sang at Walt Disney World and other places. They also performed at three parties during President George H. W. Bush's inauguration in 1989.
The 1990s and Big Events
In 1990, the Idlers helped celebrate the Coast Guard's 200th birthday. They sang at many USO events to support the military during the Gulf War. They were so busy that they formed smaller groups called quartets. These quartets sang for smaller events like dinner parties. The Idlers marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade again in 1990. They also sang in Washington D.C. for President William J. Clinton's inauguration in 1993. In 1995, they sang on an aircraft carrier to honor a leader named Yitzhak Rabin.
40th Year Reunion
In 1998, the Idlers had their first big reunion. Many past members came back to sing together. They had a concert where current and past Idlers performed. It was a special event to celebrate their history.
The 2000s and More Travels
The group traveled to New Orleans for a USO concert in 2001. On New Year's Day 2004, the Idlers performed from a float in the famous Rose Parade. In 2006, the city of Fort Worth, Texas, even declared a special day to honor The Idlers! They also sang the National Anthem at a sold-out football game in 2007.
50th Year Reunion
The Idlers celebrated their 50th birthday in 2008. Thirty-nine former members came back to sing. They honored five decades of sharing music and good feelings.
The 2010s and International Tours
The Idlers started their sixth decade with a trip to Italy in March 2010. They recorded a CD using sounds from a cathedral there. In 2011 and 2012, they toured Florida during spring break. They had many public performances, including at Disney World.
The Idlers' Music
What They Sing
The Idlers learn all their songs by heart. They don't use sheet music during performances. Their songs are mostly sea shanties and patriotic tunes. They also sing some show tunes and holiday songs. When they sing, they focus on blending their voices. No one voice stands out, so they create a smooth and pleasing sound together.
Popular Songs
Here are some of the songs the Idlers often sing:
- Banua
- Eternal Father
- Alma Mater
- Mingulay Boat Song
- The Rattlin' Bog
- The Armed Forces Medley
- 10,000 Miles Away
- The Idlers Song
- South Australia
- High Barbaree
- A Whale of a Tale
- Drunken Sailor
- Eddystone Light
- The Wild Rover
Their Albums
The Idlers have recorded many albums over the years. Some of their albums include:
- Sing Along with The Idlers (1960)
- Americana (1960)
- Blow Ye Winds (1960)
- Songs of Action (around 1965)
- Good Times Are Not Over (1968)
- Songs of Seas and Waterways (1976)
- A Seabag of Songs (1977)
- Cadet Music (1993, 1997)
- USCGA Cadet Glee Glub (2004)
- Ten Thousand Miles Away (2006)
Instruments They Use
Sometimes, the Idlers use instruments to add to their performances. In the 1970s, The New London Trio often used an upright bass, banjo, and 12-string guitar. Over the years, the Idlers have also used instruments like a squeezebox (or concertina), a harmonica, spoons, a washboard, a tin whistle, and even a squeeze-bulb horn!
Images for kids
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The Original Idlers, circa 1958
