University of Richmond Octaves hit a high note; a cappella group wins national award for best male collegiate song - 'Wrecking Ball'

April 16, 2015

The University of Richmond Octaves, an all-male a cappella group, has received a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for Best Male Collegiate Song. The Octaves were recognized for their version of Miley Cyrus’s song “Wrecking Ball.”

“CARAs are essentially the Grammys of the a cappella world,” said Conor Lemmon, a junior and president of the Octaves. “We have been nominated and even been runners-up in the past, but this if the first time we have won.”

“It’s a huge deal for both our group and for UR,” Lemmon added. “Having won this award, we can now be considered among the ranks of truly outstanding collegiate a cappella groups. It places the University of Richmond on the map as a destination for cream-of-the-crop a cappella.”

The Richmond Octaves includes 14 young men – five first-years, and three members each that are sophomores, juniors and seniors. The singers major in everything from music to business to leadership studies.

The Octaves will celebrate their 25th anniversary this fall and hope to release a new album during the 2015-16 school year.

See the Octaves performing “Wrecking Ball” during Family Weekend in 2014 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNkyTi8RL3I.

The winning recording is also available through iTunes and Loudr (the online music store associated with A Cappella Records, the Octaves recording label).

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