The Clefhangers were founded in the Spring of 1988 by Daniel ("Papa Clef") Henkin as the "alternative coed a cappella group" at Columbia. At that time, most of the other groups on campus were all-male or all-female, such as the Kingsmen, Bacchantae, and the Metrotones. The only other coed group was Notes and Keys, founded earlier that year. Henkin wanted to create a group that would be open to all students, regardless of religious observances, to this end, the Clefhangers do not perform at times that conflict with members' religious practices.
Since 1988, the Clefs have performed hundreds of concerts throughout New York City and the nation. In recent years, the Clefs have traveled through California, up and down the East Coast, from Boston to Washington DC to Georgia. They've performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, at the NYC Marathon, they've opened for Rockapella, etc. Each semester they do a handful of concerts on campus, culminating with their big Spring and Fall Shows.
The Clefs have also recorded five albums - their most recent, Going Somewhere, was released in the Spring of 2007.
Business Manager
Asad Muhammad
Group Email
clefhangers@columbia.edu