The Nassoons began in the late 1930's as a close-harmony a cappella alternative to the University Glee Club . Their early days were spent practicing in the basement of Princeton's Murray-Dodge Hall. The yet-unnamed group mainly rehearsed and performed for small, on-campus shows. In the autumn of 1941 seven members of this new group were given permission by the Glee Club director to perform for the sold-out Princeton-Yale Weekend Glee Club Concert audience in New Haven. The seven singers sang a short set of songs in the middle of the Princeton program. The performance did not appear to be engaging the audience, so, in desperation, the singers pulled out an arrangement which the Glee Club director had explicitly prohibited them from using. Its racy lyrics and bawdy five-part harmonies, he feared, would offend the tender sensibilities of the stodgy New Haven audience. That song was Perfidia, and it was reported that, as the song ended, the audience rose to its feet in a chorus of applause, demanding an encore. The seven Princetonians launched into Perfidia for the encore - and the Nassoons were born. The Nassoons’ performances have become an iconic Princeton tradition for the students who sing and for the many fans who enjoy their music. They have sung alongside the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, the Lettermen, and Ben Folds. The group also tours the globe three times a year, sharing their music, dancing, and jokes with audiences that have included three U.S. presidents, royalty, vacationers in Cancun, school children in Hong Kong, and socialites in Monte Carlo. The Nassoons continue to sing the same original arrangement of Perfidia.
The Nassoons began in the late 1930's as a close-harmony a cappella alternative to the University Glee Club . Their early days were spent practicing in the basement of Princeton's Murray-Dodge Hall. The yet-unnamed group mainly rehearsed and performed for small, on-campus shows. In the autumn of 1941 seven members of this new group were given permission by the Glee Club director to perform for the sold-out Princeton-Yale Weekend Glee Club Concert audience in New Haven. The seven singers sang a short set of songs in the middle of the Princeton program. The performance did not appear to be engaging the audience, so, in desperation, the singers pulled out an arrangement which the Glee Club director had explicitly prohibited them from using. Its racy lyrics and bawdy five-part harmonies, he feared, would offend the tender sensibilities of the stodgy New Haven audience. That song was Perfidia, and it was reported that, as the song ended, the audience rose to its feet in a chorus of applause, demanding an encore. The seven Princetonians launched into Perfidia for the encore - and the Nassoons were born. The Nassoons’ performances have become an iconic Princeton tradition for the students who sing and for the many fans who enjoy their music. They have sung alongside the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, the Lettermen, and Ben Folds. The group also tours the globe three times a year, sharing their music, dancing, and jokes with audiences that have included three U.S. presidents, royalty, vacationers in Cancun, school children in Hong Kong, and socialites in Monte Carlo. The Nassoons continue to sing the same original arrangement of Perfidia.