Harvard Krokodiloes A Cappella Group Celebrate 20 Years of Taiwan Shows
Renowned a cappella group the Harvard Krokodiloes are in Taiwan for a long-postponed 20th anniversary concert originally planned for 2020. Taiwan has been a fixture on the group's annual world tour since 2000.
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00:00The Crocodillos are Harvard University's oldest acapella group.
00:12Founded in 1946, the 12-member undergrad singing group has performed for the likes of U.S.
00:19President Bill Clinton, King Pumipon of Thailand, and jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald.
00:25The Crocs tour the world every summer, taking their talents around the globe.
00:29So, we'll be hitting 20 total countries over the course of 79 days, so it's quite a gauntlet.
00:35The group has come to Taiwan nearly every year since 2000 at the invitation and sponsorship
00:42of Harvard alumnus Ben Fang and his wife, Tang Chou-Ling.
00:46I was president of the Harvard Business School Club here, and Bill King, he was one of the
00:54Harvard Crocs from Taiwan, approached me about if we were willing to sponsor them.
01:00I said, why not?
01:01In 2024, the Crocs are once again in Taiwan, putting on shows around the country.
01:07But the main event this year is a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of their
01:12first concert in Taiwan.
01:15You don't need to be a Harvard graduate to spot that the anniversary should have been
01:18in 2020.
01:20It's been delayed by four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
01:24But now the group is finally here, with current Crocs joined by two dozen alumni from around
01:30the world for a special reunion concert.
01:32I live just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.
01:36I actually live in Berlin, Germany.
01:38I live in England, actually.
01:40The anniversary was especially emotional because planning for the occasion started half a decade
01:45ago.
01:46I think the biggest challenge we run into was the COVID-19 pandemic.
01:50We were planning to come here June of 2020.
01:53We weren't able to, and that's why we postponed it for four years later, which is in 2024.
01:59Crocs both new and old took the stage for a concert unlike any other Taiwan had seen
02:04before.
02:05Ten thousand men of honor gained victory today.
02:13Concertgoers were treated to jokes.
02:16But he's decided to pick himself up and make his amends by singing this lovely young lady
02:20a song.
02:21Go ahead.
02:22This song's really embarrassing.
02:23I don't really...
02:24What's your name?
02:25What's your name?
02:26Do do do do.
02:27Dance.
02:38And of course, song.
02:47And not just any old songs.
02:51The Crocs included popular local songs in their repertoire, like The Moon Represents
02:55My Heart by famous Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng.
03:00And more contemporary hits like Tonghua by Guangliang.
03:28Singing Taiwanese songs proved a challenge for the Crocs, but it was well worth it because
03:33they've been a hit with the local audience.
03:36They especially love when we sing a song Tonghua.
03:39They often start joining in or raising their phone flashlights and all different stuff.
03:44This special concert will be the high point of the Crocodillo's 20th Taiwan tour.
03:50But if the audience's reaction is any indication, they will easily be back for a 21st tour and
03:56beyond.
03:57I'm Ethan Chen, and Leslie Liao in New Taipei City for Taiwan Plus.