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Artist
Pennsylvania 6-5000
12+ albums
about
Pennsylvania Six-5000 was formed on the campus of The University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1980. With the intention of ‘consistently avoiding any behavior that would be classified as normal”, the group managed to conquer and subvert a traditional musical form during an era that lacked performing art variety at Universities across the country. Like many of their Ivy League counterparts, the group developed a specialty in close harmonies and lush vocal arrangements, yet incorporated creativity and occasional tastelessness into precision signing performances. This “avoidance of the normal” became Penn Six’s signature trademark and has continued to propel the group’s success and popularity – and the endless imitation of others – since its founding. The group was founded by Jeffrey Harlan (SAS ‘82) who became the group’s first President. Harlan grew up in New Haven, CT where exposure to college singing groups sparked his interest in a cappella vocals. At Penn, he sang for the Glee Club and its a cappella affiliate, the Penn Pipers, for two years, then decided to launch his own group. Although the Glee Club and Pennsylvania Six-5000 enjoyed a “friendly rivalry”, Penn Six broke free from the formal confines of Glee Club singing and took extensive tours, performing at high schools and participating in singing jamborees at other colleges. The decision to name the group after a Glen Miller standard was spontaneous. As a Daily Pennsylvania reporter approached the group for their