In the fall of 1977, Barry Saunders entered UNC Chapel Hill with a desire to sing close harmony. When opportunities within the Music Department proved scarce, Barry decided to form an all-male a cappella group on his own. In December of that year, the group (then known as the Morrison Dorm Singers) first performed at the old Morrison Dorm Coffeehouse. It would not be until 1978 that the group settled on the name Clef Hangers, adopted their now traditional vests and bowties, and held their first official performance on a warm April afternoon in the Pit.  Since that time, the “Clefs” have had the opportunity to delight audiences across the world with their music. 

Since the group’s inception, it has released 16 professionally-produced, studio albums, with the most recent album, Time Out, being represented on 4 A Cappella Compilation discs. In addition to a track from Time Out, songs from Elevation, Breeze, and Facing Clarence have be featured on a total of 5 Best of Collegiate A Cappella Compilation CDs.  In 2004, The Clef Hangers received their first Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for “Best Soloist” in the song “Easy,” featured on Breeze.  The group has also garnered two Runner-up CARAs for best arrangement (“Africa” from Safari) in 1991, and Best Album (Facing Clarence) in 2006, and has been nominated for several other CARAs. 

Since their first tour to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1980, the Clefs have performed for audiences in Spain, France, Scotland, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York, and many other locations.  During a tour to New York City, they performed for the nation on the television show “Good Morning America.” In the spring of 2002, they were personally invited by Chancellor James Moeser to sing at Commencement, a tradition that has continued ever since.  The Clef Hangers perform for a packed Memorial Hall every year during their Fall and Spring concerts, and sometimes feature special guests like Dean Smith and Roy Williams.   You can catch the Clef Hangers at their annual Fall and Spring concerts or at a variety of performances throughout the academic year.