Paige Backman
pbackman@uwyo.edu
The name “Happy Jacks” is well known across campus and the state of Wyoming. The all-male singing group has even performed in the state of Washington in previous years. The group typically consists of 8 to 10 vocalists but this semester the veterans returning are dwindling in number.
The boys are not worried because the group has such a reputation.
“I went to their end of the semester concert,” said Ty Hebbert, describing the first time he saw the Happy Jacks. “I was just blown away. The concert hall was full. Probably 700 people were there and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.”
Hebbert auditioned and joined the group the next semester.
In 2008, the university’s non-audition men’s choir called the Singing Statesmen had really started to pick up steam. Within the choir, a handful of guys wanted to sing a cappella in a small group.
“It started out as just a bunch of dudes hanging around and singing,” Hebbert said. “So Dr. La made an offer for them to become a part of the university.”
Dr. La is the nickname the Happy Jacks have for Dr. Nicole Lamartine, who is currently on sabbatical. While she is away, the faculty advisor is Dr. Holly Dalrymple.
While the Happy Jacks have an advisor, the group is completely student lead and directed.
“When people here the Happy Jacks they know that name. It has become a really popular group around the state,” said Trae Travitz, front man for the Happy Jacks.
The group intends to boost their numbers through auditions this Friday starting at 4 p.m. The Happy Jacks has a co-requisite requirement and any members of the group must be a part of Singing Statesmen additionally.
“We feel that we need to support the numbers in Statesmen,” said Travitz.
Singing Statesmen and Happy Jacks counts as an upper division and outside major credit class.
“We are just a bunch of dudes who love to sing, “said Paul Sherman, a tenor in the Happy Jacks.
“Yeah, it’s just bro-time,” said Ross Breedlove, a political science major who has been with the Happy Jacks for multiple semesters.
“We did a long trip to Spokane last year. And it’s tough to get 70 guys on a bus for that many days,” said Hebbert. “But when you feel that much camaraderie and brotherhood, it makes it really easy. I think Statesmen and Jacks are great that way.”
The Happy Jacks will have concerts later on in the semester.
