The Princeton Nasoons compile a set list of many musical genres including country, jazz, and modern upbeat.
In a performance that seamlessly blended melancholy, joyful, and emotional depth, the diverse tenor-bass repertoire captivated audience members, prompting some to rise from their seats and moving others to tears. With a unique fusion of vocal skill and a humorous spirit, the Princeton Nassoons delivered a memorable concert in Kemper Auditorium and an interactive workshop for aspiring a cappella enthusiasts on the evening of October 14.
Founded in 1941, The Princeton Nassoons, an all-male a cappella singing club at Princeton University, is the fifth oldest a cappella group in the United States and the oldest at Princeton. Performing across the globe, current Nassoons president Casey Beidel shared why they decided to come to Andover specifically.
“We’re doing a tour throughout New England, and we always look for schools in the area to inspire young kids to pursue a cappella. I think [Andover is] where we have some of the most amazing connections as well. Just seeing some of the alumni come and sing with us on stage today, they might be Andover connection, they might just live in the area, it’s really great to sing our music and cherish our traditions that we’ve had for 80 years,” said Beidel.
The ability of the Nassoons did not go unnoticed by the audience. Will Ware ’26, a member of Keynotes, an a cappella group on campus, shared his appreciation.
“I came early to workshop our performance for Grasshopper, and met with them, and then I stayed and watched the performance… I did really like it. After this year, learning how to do a cappella and all the intricacies with it, I was very impressed. I have a lot of respect for them, because they were very good, and I [think] it’s a very difficult thing to do,” said Ware.
Beidel emphasized the unifying power of music and the sense of community the Nassoons have fostered, even among individuals with diverse backgrounds. He hoped that students would take away a message: to embrace new experiences.
“I think especially in this day and age, music is something that can really bond us all together… The goal is just to take your mind off something for 20 minutes by listening to a group of goofy college guys singing. And just really express how much we love each other, love singing, and the power of music… We’re from all walks of life, all these different places around the globe, [and] we’re studying every possible major under the sun. You don’t need to be a musician to succeed in music in college… So just try new things, experiment, and see where you land. You can’t really go wrong,” said Beidel.
What added a special touch to the performance was the participation of Princeton Nassoons alumni, who joined the current members on stage to sing the club’s founding song. Bringing together a diverse group of both seasoned alumni and budding young talents, the performance illustrated an enduring sense of community across generations.
“[Collaborating] is always the best time, cause you don’t know where you’re gonna find a Nassoon alum, and wherever you go, you find someone, and that’s history; that’s legacy. Every time, it’s like you’re bonding with history [when] you’re bonding with a past member, and there’s such a connection between all Nassoon alumni and current Nassoons… I think a common occurrence throughout a lot of our songs is a theme of love. We just want to express enjoyment, and we want to give enjoyment to the crowd,” said William Yang, another member of The Nassoons.
The Nassoons conveyed their passion for the art to the audience, which left a strong impression on the listeners. Audience member Margot Furman ’25 expressed the emotional impact the performance had on her.
“I loved it. Peyton [Kennedy ’25] said that one of these men had a voice like an angel, and I really agree with that, in that it literally brought me to tears when they were singing their squad song… It was literally so wholesome; I started tearing up. [The alumni] remembered all of the song, too. It was so kind… [I felt] irrefutable happiness throughout the performance… They should’ve made this an [All-School Meeting],” said Furman.
