Q: How long have you been in existence?
A: Since 1997. The MadHatters were the first a cappella group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and are currently one of two male groups on campus.

Q: Where can I get CDs?
A: You can get a copy of State Street from the Music link ($10 for CD, $15 for 5.1 DVD) or at one of our shows. No Jacket Required is only available at our shows, or by emailing us at sales@uwmadhatters.com for $5. Friday After Class is available at shows for $12 and at The University Bookstore and Exclusive Company downtown Madison for $13.99. It is also available online at a-cappella.com. We are happy to accomodate requests for shipment, and please add $3 per CD to cover expenses.

Q: When will your next CD come out?
A: Good question. Soon, but in the meantime, help us sell out of all our current ones!

Q: What will be on your new CD?
A: Check out the Music page for a list of the songs on the new CD.

Q: Do you use any instruments or drum machines on your albums?
A: No. Everything you hear, both live and on our albums, is created using nothing but our voices. Some of the sounds on our three studio albums are digitized and modified, but they nevertheless originated as 100% vocal.

Q: Do you do private parties, charity events, concerts at schools, etc?
A: We do it all. To book us, email our business manager, Jon, or give him a call at (715)321-0167. Hurry though, because dates fill up well ahead of time. In the past we've done conferences, festivals, expos, holiday gatherings, caroling, pregame parties and sporting events, sorority events, weddings, singing valentines, birthday parties, picnics, school assemblies, National Anthem singing and just about anything you can imagine. Just ask! Costs vary depending on the event and travel distance it takes us to get to the event. Let us know the following: how many people the show is for, location of the event, desired length of performance, and whether or not CD sales are permitted.

Q: How can I find out about your upcoming performances, albums, and projects?
A: Visit our website often...it's always being updated, or join our mailing list for the most up to date news.

Q: Where can I get tickets to your shows?
A: Tickets to our big fall and spring shows, once available, can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person at the box office of the venue (i.e. The Orpheum, Overture Center, or Union Theatre). For other shows, check the link on our calendar for specific contact information.

Q: Where can I get a press kit?
A: We're working on a new press kit, but you can probably get most of the information you'll need from this website. Contact our business manager, Jon, for additional needs (pictures, clips, video, bios, etc.).

Q: Do you have a fan club?
A: Not exactly, but you can join our mailing list and get all the updates and inside information you can imagine. If you want to be in our fan club, just come to our shows and continue to show your support. And don't forget to sign our guestbook to let us know what you thought of a performance.

Q: Do you arrange all of your own songs?
A: Other than the standard oldies (i.e. Blue Moon, Goodnight Sweetheart, etc.) and the National Anthem, all the songs we do are our original arrangements. We get together at the start of the semester and pick songs we'd like to do and then different guys in the group arrange those songs by listening to the original over and over, picking out notes and chords and converting all of the instrumental stuff from the original to work with voices.

Q: How many guys are music majors?
A: The great thing about our group is that we come from all walks of life, all parts of the country, and all backgrounds. Only two guys in the group are currently music majors! Check out our members page to see what all we do outside of MadHatters.

Q: Did all of you sing prior to joining the group?
A: Most of us have many prior years of experience singing in high school and even before that, usually not with a cappella though. A lot of us were in bands and play instruments as well as singing. Believe it or not, a couple of guys did not begin singing with an organized group until coming to college and joining the MadHatters.

Q: What is an audition like?
A: As needed to replace departing membership, auditions are held in the Humanities building. The number of guys we take each semester depends on the number we have lost (due to graduation, transfers, or studying abroad) but we try to keep the group between 15 and 18 guys. Musicianship is very important to us, but just as important is your personality. If you audition, the best advice we can give is to just be yourself and have fun. Auditions are very competitive with over 60 guys competing for just a few spots. An audition consists of singing scales (to test range), singing back notes (to test your ear), singing a verse and chorus of a favorite POP song a cappella, and a series of questions to get to know you better., After all solo auditions are completed, we narrow the number of guys down and hold callbacks. At callbacks, we have you learn and perform a MadHatters song with us and with other guys that are trying out, with one guy per part. After that, we fill our vacant spots with new guys! Email us for more information on auditioning for the MadHatters.

Q: How do you decide who sings each solo?
A: When an arrangement is finished and we have learned it as a group, we hold solo auditions. Any guy that feels they can sing the lead part on the song leaves the room, leaving all guys not trying out in the room to vote on their top picks. Guys trying out for the solo then come in one at a time and sing along with the original song or to piano accompaniment and we all vote and narrow it down to two guys. The top vote getter is the soloist and the runner-up is the alternate, in case the first guy has to miss a gig or practice.

Q: How do you memorize all those notes, words, songs, etc.?
A: Practice and repetition and practice and repetition. We break each song apart into smaller parts and learn a little at a time until we can put it all together.

Q: Do you guys get nervous when you perform?
A: All of us experience different levels of nervousness, so the short answer is yes. We get more excited than nervous though. When we do our big shows, we've already been singing the songs together hundreds of times prior to the show, so singing them comes pretty naturally. We all have different ways of dealing with the excitement (and sometimes nerves) that come with performing.

Q: When are you going on tour next?
A: We will begin planning our next tour soon. Any ideas of places we should go???

Q: Do you get paid individually for your performances?
A: No. We all participate for the chance to make music and goof around with friends. The money that our group makes from gigs and merchandise sales goes towards tours, booking big shows, and making new CDs. We also often donate money, CDs, concert tickets, and goods to local charities and causes we see fit.

Q: Are you affiliated with the UW or the School of Music?
A: We are a self-sufficient, student run organization. The University recognizes us as a registered student organization, but we are not affiliated with the school of music or University itself beyond that.

Q: Can we date you, kiss you, marry you, etc.?
A: If the guy you are interested in is single, then possibly.