Last Friday, Feb. 14, Hamilton’s all-male identifying acapella group, The Buffers embarked on their annual journey to serenade students, coaches, campus visitors and professors alike. The Buffers got an early start, singing their first “Buffergram,” at 5:30 a.m. Armed with suits, ties and dress shoes, the Buffers faced unplowed paths and thrashing winds.
Senior Buffer, Luke Struthers, affectionately known as “Wannabo,” on account of writing his supplemental admissions essay on his interest in joining The Buffers, recounted the early moments of the day: “I had to run over to KJ. I was just in my dress shoes. For the entire morning we were forging a trail because nothing had been paved. Everyone was wet and cold and slipping and sliding.” The Buffers braved the storm, determined to uphold the twenty five year long tradition of Buffergrams.
Struthers articulated just how special his Buffergram experience was as a senior, “What made this year so special was the fact that I knew everyone we were singing to. That was something I hadn’t really experienced before.” The Buffers have been a home for Struthers at Hamilton since the start. “I joined the Buffers on my third day on campus. It’s been one of the most consequential decisions of my Hamilton experience,” he said.
After arriving on campus as a freshman, Struthers quickly went from Wannabo to Buffer, immediately finding sense of belonging in the group. In the collegiate world, where much of life feels “optional,” Sturthers noted the role Buffers rehearsals played in bringing a degree of structure and routine to his weeks: “You have to be present at those rehearsals. It brings some consistency to your week.” Being a Buffer has even changed the way that Struthers engages with music. “I listen to more intricate parts of a song and think about how I would put that into an arrangement,” he noted.
This year, The Buffers prepared a total of ten songs to deliver as Buffergrams, with the most popular being their iconic rendition of “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II men. “I’ll Make Love to You” is the most fun song to sing. I was doing ad libs on the side. People are always confused as to why we are being so loud.” Significant preparation goes into pulling off the highly logistical, vocally-exhausting day of Buffergram singing. “The process starts right after the first week of school. We’re practicing three times a week. We did auditions during this week as well. It ends up being a two-week spring to learn all the songs.” Struthers explained the logistical nightmare involved in trying to sell the last Buffergram, because there’s only one time slot available: “it’s a lot of trial and error.”
A day of non-stop singing and nearly a marathon worth of steps poses a difficult physical and mental challenge to The Buffers. “Every Buffer has their breaking point at some point during the day. I notice the guys peter out after the lunch break. To go from the dining hall back into classes and dorms. That’s when you start to see the energy drinks come out. Maybe a beer or two starts to float around. The real killer, though, is 5:15. You’re melting into every seat you can sit in. The guys just sunk into the chairs in the athletic center,” Struthers admits. After a day of serenading people in person, the Buffers also deliver a number of phone-grams. Despite their hunger and exhaustion, Struthers explained that the Buffers relish the chance to serenade their parents over the phone.
Sturthers shared some of the most memorable Buffergrams he’s delivered over the course of his four years as a Buffer. “My freshman year, a guy tried to fight us because we woke him. It was 7:20 am.. He tried to push our senior and he was like tradition‘your girlfriend bought you a buffergram, sit down.’” Another Buffergram almost became a disaster when the Buffer realized they had scheduled two back-to-back Buffergrams, with one on Withiam Field and the other in Dunham: “We scheduled the lacrosse team on Withiam and our next Buffergram was in Dunham. It was a full sprint. Fastest I’ve ever seen a Buffergram. The coach was still trying to keep practice going as we sang to them.” But, Sturthers also attested that “every Buffergram is memorable in some way.”
Over the course of his time as a Buffer, Struthers reflected that he’s gradually come to embrace the disruptive nature of Buffergrams: “For me it was always bizarre how we were able to do this. It’s the one day of the year where there are no consequences to being really loud and interrupting classes. My freshman year I was so embarrassed. You come to realize the teachers love it. This year, I just really got to enjoy it. I really enjoy singing. It’s really a great time to hang out and sing. I don’t get to do this any other time of the year.” From dining halls to classrooms, Buffergrams infuse Valentine’s Day at Hamilton with soulful ballads and the spirit of romance.
