The Wheatones are Wheaton College's oldest student-run vocal group. Founded in 1945, the all-female group was formed when several students who sang in the college choir gathered to perform at dances and other campus functions, spreading their love of music across Wheaton's campus. While decades have passed since the time of the founding octet, the Wheatones have remained a successful troupe of women who still possess the founders' passion for music and performing. Being apart of the Wheatones has provided members with important experiences in performance, management, commitment, and musical skill, encouraging relationship-building and growth as an individual. In addition to these significant opportunities, members also form valuable bonds and friendships that last a lifetime. ​​
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The Wheatones 1974
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The Wheatones 2018
In addition to regularly holding concerts at the end of every semester, the group is also invited to sing at many different events throughout the year both on and off campus. Past features include performances at the Easton Children's Museum, the Boston Blazers game at TD Garden, and New England's ICCA Quarterfinals. All songs are student-arranged by current members (with occasional helping hands from alumni) to create toe-tapping renditions of songs from a wide range of genres; with an eclectic reportoire of music including pop, alternative, classic rock, barbershop, and more, the Wheatones sing it all!
Perhaps the only thing matching the Wheatones' love of singing is the amount of fun they have doing it! Underneath the talent and hard work presented at every performance is an immense amount of laughter, joking, and all-around silliness. At the end of each semester, the Wheatones host a concert (called a jam) focused around a specific theme. These themed jams allow group members to show off their humor and creativity with fun costumes, decorations, and introductory videos. A few favorite past themes include Star Wars, Night at the Museum, Harry Potter, and Dr. Suess. Whatever the group manages to dream up, it's sure to be an absolute blast!
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Our Fall 2019 "Baby Tones"!
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The Wheatones' 70th Reunion 2017
                                                    FUN FACT
This lovely ladies group wasn't always called the Wheatones! Originally, the founding eight dubbed themselves The Merry Lyons, but changed their name to the Wheatones a few years later. They didn't always strictly sing a capella, either! At one point, the group was nicknamed "girls with guitars."