Our History

In the fall of 1986, Morgan Inniss and Craig Hickman, two college freshmen, noticed that there was something missing from Harvard’s music community. Lovers of R&B music, they wanted to be part of an a cappella group that focused on soul, both in song choice and musical style. Seeking to diversify the a cappella community, the two of them founded the Callbacks.

Since that day, the Callbacks have grown in musicality, reputation, and friendship. We have received national recognition for our unique and challenging arrangements (6 Best Arrangement awards from the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella), impressive soloists (2 Best Soloist awards & 1 Outstanding Choreo award from the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella & 3 Best Solo nominations from the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America), and high quality of recording (consistent selection for Voices Only and Best of College A Cappella compilation CDs). The Callbacks now tour internationally, annually to New York City, perform at functions in and around the Boston area, and hold a concert in Harvard’s historic Sanders Theater each semester.

Now well established as a premier a cappella group, we continue to develop a broad repertoire while maintaining our passion for music, friendship, and fun.

Performances

The Callbacks perform at a variety of venues throughout the year, including galas, business conferences, bar and bat mitzvahs, high school workshops, campus events, and other private functions. In addition to producing one main concert on campus each semester, the Callbacks are available for hire to sing in and around the Boston area, and travel on an international tour to a new location each January. Our performances range from short and casual to black tie affairs, and we are happy to tailor our performances to suit any particular event. Some particularly special past performances include singing for the United States ambassador while on tour in Prague, serenading a couple at the moment of their engagement, and singing for a group of kids at Children’s Hospital, San Juan.

AUDITIONS!!!

How Auditions Work:

Auditions will take place over the course of one week, and are divided by the following format:

• A preliminary audition in which you sing scales, do some pitch-matching, and sing a verse and a chorus of a song of your choice for the group (about ten minutes).

• A first-round callback in which we teach you one of our “blocks” - the music we sing behind the soloist. You’ll get to sing with the group to test for blend and learning ability. You will also sing a short solo from a song the group performs.

• A second-round callback in which you learn another block and sing another solo of our choice.

• A “Final Night” audition round, in which you learn more about the group, learn one of our favorite blocks, and perform a full-length solo of your choice for the group.

These rounds take place over the course of a week, so you have time to get to know the group and let us get to know you! It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and truly enjoyable both for the auditionees and the group members. We hope to see you there!

STILL GOT QUESTIONS?

Feel free to email us at harvardcallbacks@gmail.com, or reach out on Facebook or Instagram at @harvardcallbacks!

current Members

OUR MUSIC

RECORDINGS

The Callbacks recently released our 35th Anniversary album, Until We Meet Again! Feel free to check out all of our recordings on Spotify and iTunes. Our arrangements are known for their complexity and originality; see for yourself here in recordings from our most recent CD.

REPERTOIRE

Our current repertoire reflects our contemporary sensibilities. The list below includes Callbacks classics and songs from our most recent setlists.

RECENT

That’s Where I Am - Maggie Rogers

Younger - Nightly

Colors - Black Pumas

Creo Lo Sientes - Sammy Rae & The Friends

Brown Eyed Lover - Allen Stone

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

Don’t Lose Sight - Lawrence

Elastic Heart - Sia

Lover, Don’t Leave - Citizen Shade

September Song - JP Cooper

ICCAs

2023 Iccas | Harvard callbacks

In 2023, the Callbacks submitted a screening application for the 2023 ICCAs (International Championship of Collegiate A Capella) and would advance to Semifinals at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. At Quarterfinals, the Callbacks placed 2nd Overall & won two significant awards: Outstanding Soloist (Crystal Wang ‘23) & Outstanding Choreography (Ava Zinman ‘25) for “Elastic Heart” OPB. Sia

The Callbacks had their Semifinals ICCA Set professionally recorded by Kalos Chu & Produced by Clarus Sound

2023 ICCA SET | The Harvard Callbacks is now available on Youtube @ Harvard Callbacks

Grand Cayman islands tour 2023

In January 2023, the Callbacks toured the Grand Cayman Islands. The Callbacks had a wonderful time performing for elementary school students on the Island, at a local establishments, & several excursion destinations due to several tourists & business owners being interested in hearing the group. The Grand Cayman Islands tour was a great time for the Callbacks to bond as the current CB Family & get to know the ‘22 newbie class more. During the tour, the Callbacks spent a generous amount of time preparing for ICCAs which followed in a number of weeks. When not performing or practicing their set, the members enjoyed the beach, explored new restaurants, & spent time together in their lovely resort.

NEW YORK TOUR

In the Spring, the Callbacks travel to New York City for an extended weekend. On New York Tour, the group bonds with new members, reconnects with alumni, and sings at a variety of venues. The past few years have brought us to the Harvard Club of Alumni (New York City), Turnstyle Underground,  the Manhattan Jewish Community Center, South Street Seaport, and more. This year, the Callbacks had the opportunity to see Hadestown on Broadway as a group & meet up with CB Alum, Cynthia Meng. From busking in Central Park to exploring the city, New York tour is an amazing time.

Callbacks Merchandise

“The Newbie” Hoodie

Hooded sweatshirt with the new Callbacks logo, offered in S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL.

“The OLDBIE” Hoodie

Hooded sweatshirt with the old Callbacks logo, offered in S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL.

Until We meet again cd

CD version of the new Callbacks album, Until We Meet Again.

HIRE US !

The Callbacks perform at a variety of events each year, ranging from holiday parties to corporate functions to high school workshops. If you’d like to hire us for your event, please send an e-mail to harvardcallbacks@gmail.com or fill out the form below with the following requested information, and we will respond to your request promptly.

1. Your Name/Organization
2. Date and Time of Event
3. Location
4. Approximate Length of Set
5. What’s the Occasion?
6. Contact Information (E-mail and Phone Number)
7. Any other relevant information or questions you may have.