АҚШ Құрама Штаттарының Жағалау сақшы академиясының әншілер тобы «The Idlers»

American collegiate a cappella ensemble
USCG
The Idlers of the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) are an all male collegiate a cappella ensemble specializing in the performance of sea shanties and patriotic music.

A relatively exclusive group with a history and traditions similar to many fraternal organizations, the Idlers are the only all male a cappella vocal group at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. Membership is attained through annual auditions overseen by the current members and the director. Group size varies based on current requirements, but generally includes between 12 and 20 men. The ideal group includes 3 or 4 members for each part: Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, and Bass. The group began in 1957 with 14 singers, two of which were freshman (4/c cadets). The Idlers have an elected president, who historically was the "pitch" and leads rehearsals in the absence of the director. The vice president was the "vice pitch", also an elected position.

The Idlers were formed in 1957 by eight members of the USCGA Class of 1959 on summer cruise. They quickly drew the attention of the Academy's bandmaster Don Janse and began building their repertoire and fame. In the fall of 1957, the Idlers membership was extended to all Academy classes, as reflected in this photo, taken several months thereafter. Within two years the Idlers had recorded three vinyl albums (for both the Design and MGM labels), and had performed for President and Mrs. Eisenhower at the White House and on The Bell Telephone Hour (NBC).

Don Janse went back to school in the early 1960s and John Heffermann briefly directed the Idlers. When Don returned he brought a number of new tunes which would soon become Idlers staples, including arrangements of Banua, The First Time I Ever, and the Coast Guard Hymn.

The 1970s saw a resurgence of interest in folk music. Patterned after The Kingston Trio, a splinter group known as The New London Trio performed with guitar, upright bass, and banjo. The Idlers sang at the re interment of Captain Hopley Yeaton, the father of the Coast Guard, on October 19, 1975. The Singing Idlers made an appearance on Saturday Night Live on February 28, 1976, where Leon Redbone was the musical guest, and the hostess Jill Clayburgh sang "Sea Cruise" backed by the group. During the Academy centennial in 1976, several reunion attendees and other Idlers living nearby performed at a black tie dinner held at the Norwich Sheraton – arguably the first reunion of past and present members on the same stage. In January 1977 the Idlers performed at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and the American History Museum associated with the Presidential Inauguration of Jimmy Carter.

In both 1980 and 1982, The Idlers performed at Carnegie Hall during Eve Queler's performance of Wagner's Rienzi opera. In 1984, the Idlers and Icebreakers appeared on a sailing ship float with a Statue of Liberty head (and Robert Vaughn) in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 1980s drew to a close with Don Janse's retirement in 1987. Dr. Robert Newton had been conducting the Idlers sister group, The Icebreakers, and now began directing both groups. Dr. Newton took the Idlers on their first annual tour of Florida in 1989, performing for Magic Music Days at Walt Disney World, and at the Palm Beach International Polo Club, accompanied on the keyboard by then LTjg Mark Dietrich, I'86. The Idlers performed at three Balls during President George H. W. Bush's Inauguration in 1989.

The Idlers started their 6th full decade with a week long tour of Italy in March 2010. A recording from a cathedral in Italy served as the basis for their latest CD. In 2011 and 2012, the group completed spring break tours of Florida, with numerous public appearances including Disney World.

The Idlers memorize all their music. The repertoire varies from year to year but typically is heavy on Sea Chanteys and patriotic tunes. The occasional show tune and holiday song round out the mix. The Sea Chanty list is weighted towards capstan songs. Several numbers feature soloists, but a principal concern of all Idlers is the ability to blend well. No individual voice stands out, as they work together to create a smooth and pleasing harmony.

Some performances are augmented by various instruments. An upright bass, banjo, and 12 string guitar are typical – these instruments were the staple of the New London Trio in the mid and late 1970s. Over the years, The Idlers have also performed with a squeezebox (or concertina), the harmonica (or mouth organ), spoons, washboard, tin whistle, and squeeze bulb klaxon horn.

The 2023 2024 members of The Idlers are 1/c Dillion Nitz, 1/c Lucas Stevens, 1/c Mychal Riccio, 1/c Ryan Younes, 2/c Kieth Nico Carreon, 2/c John Rex Gaviola, 2/c Luke Myers, 2/c Nicholas Monahan, 2/c William Nunn, 3/c Miguel Cotto, 3/c Gabriel Cooper, 3/c Aidan Garcia, 3/c Justus Moorlach, 3/c Christian Short, 4/c Ryan Doty, 4/c Anthony Fotos, 4/c Collin Key, 4/c Carson Wirtz.