Founded in the 1962, the California Golden Overtones (since 1984), previously the deciBelles (1970s), sometimes called the Golden Overtones or the Tones, is a six to thirteen-member female a cappella group at the

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California) is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868 as the University of California, it is the state's first land-grant u ...

. The group's prolific repertoire spans many genres of music and grows each year with new arrangements and contributions of past and popular songs. From rap to doo-wop to country, the group embraces all styles and interprets them into a strong female sound. The Overtones have recorded multiple albums, most recently ''Out of Line'' (2020). In 2001 the group placed second in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA). The Overtones were also named as one of "The 10 Female Groups Running the A Cappella World" by College Magazine in 2016. In 2019, the group was mentioned in a College Aca article for their rendition of ''The National Manthem'' by Little Mix. The Overtones perform regularly around the Bay Area for both alumni and the community. They also perform for Cal students each Friday of the academic year at one o’clock. They can be found next to the historic

Sather Gate Sather Gate is a prominent landmark separating Sproul Plaza from the bridge over Strawberry Creek, leading to the center of the University of California, Berkeley campus. The gate was donated by Jane K. Sather, a benefactor of the university, i ...

on Berkeley's

Sproul Plaza Sproul Plaza (pronounced ) is one center of student activity at the University of California, Berkeley. It is divided into two sections: Upper Sproul and Lower Sproul. They are vertically separated by and linked by a set of stairs. History S ...

. The group hosts a series of annual concerts. In the Fall, the ''West Coast A Cappella Showcase'' features invited groups from all over the country. Past guest groups in this concert have included former ICCA Champions

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-d ...

’s ''Noteworthy'' and ''Vocal Point'' and Colorado's ''In the Buff''. Other California guests include groups from Stanford,

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California ...

, USC,

Mount San Antonio College Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) is a public community college in southern California, located in Walnut in eastern Los Angeles County. It offers more than 260 degree and certificate programs, 25 support programs, and more than 50 stud ...

, and the

University of Oregon The University of Oregon (UO, U of O or Oregon) is a public research university in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 1876, the institution is well known for its strong ties to the sports apparel and marketing firm Nike, Inc, and its co-founder, billion ...

. The Overtones also perform in annual concert performances including the Overtones Spring Show, and make regular guest appearances at the UC Men's Octet Spring Show.california golden overtones * home
/ref> Their YouTube channel has an extensive list of previous performances, spanning back to 2008.

Discography

* ''California Street'', 1988 * ''Bar Nine'', 1990 * ''Ridin' the Wave'', 1993 * ''Pipe Dreams'', 1995 * ''Bear All'', 2000 * ''No Boys Allowed'', 2002 * ''Out of Line'', 2020

References

{{authority control University of California, Berkeley Collegiate a cappella groups Musical groups established in 1984 1984 establishments in California All-female bands History of women in California