At some colleges, athletes get all the glory. Other times, the intellectuals are always praised. At Wheaton Col lege, the a cappella singers seem to be the ones attracting atten tion.

`` A cappella on the Wheaton campus is quite popular, both to be a member and in the audi ence,'' said Ariana Balayan, president of the all-female Whims. `` Every group offers a cappella singing, but each has their own unique personality.''

Wheaton has a long-standing tradition of a cappella that dates back to the establishment of its first group, the Wheatones, back in 1948.

`` I see a cappella groups as a very dominant part of the cam pus,'' said Mallory Parks, a firstyear Wheatone or `` babytone.'' `` It holds many opportunities for weekday nights and weekend nights.''

As Wheaton College was allfemale in 1948, so was its a cap pella group. But having only one group just would not do, and so a year later the Whims were formed. In addition to these two groups, a cappella is now per formed at Wheaton by one all male group, the Gentlemen Callers, and two co-ed groups, The Blend and Voices United to Jam. `` We (the groups) all have a friendly relationship with each other,'' Balayan said. `` The lead ers meet monthly to maintain group relations.''

The groups participate each year in several Wheaton a cap pella traditions. First is the `` Slype,'' which is an event that occurs at the beginning of every semester and serves as an induc tion ceremony for new members.

`` The members of the group have a little party and a little after 11 we take off on a quite loud journey across campus to pick up our new members in their dorms,'' said Emily K. Johnson, business manager of the Blend.

When the clock strikes mid night, the singers make their way to one of the dormitories. Before they get to the dorm, fans have already gathered there and are waiting for them. The singers arrive, introduce new group members, and sing a col lection of songs for the fans. This `` Slype'' ritual, and events like it, are what make a cappella groups part of a larger Wheaton tradi tion.

`` We're here to entertain and bring a little more spirit to the campus,'' Johnson said.

Throughout the academic year, groups perform at on-cam pus locations like the Loft and the Lyon's Den, a coffee shop.

They are also invited to per form at other schools, at private events like bridal showers, and at competitions, like the Interna tional Championship of Colle giate A Cappella that will be held this year at Wellesley Col lege.

`` There is a `circle of a cappel la friendships' in between many collegiate a cappella groups,'' Parks said. `` To share a common interest in singing a cappella has seemed to bring about an eternal bond.''

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With the Gentlemen Callers' formation in 1988, the year the school went coed, and the creation of the school's two coed groups over the past two years, Wheaton's groups now cover every style of a cappella. Funded by the student government, each group gives back to the campus community by performing in a concert, called a `` Jam,'' every semester.

`` (It) is the most exciting concert, as it is an opportunity to sing the songs we have been working on throughout the semester,'' said Balayan.

And `` Jams'' reach out to more than just Wheaton students -- a group from another school is always invited to open the show.

On Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 p.m., The Whims will be hosting their Fall Jam at Cole Memorial Chapel on the Wheaton campus, with Stuck in the Middle, Middlebury College's all-male a cappella group, opening the show.

Beyond live performance, the groups at Wheaton also record CDs almost every year. They arrange all the songs so that they harmonize without instrumentation and then sell the CDs to their fans.

`` We have a great time polishing the songs for recording,'' Balayan said. `` I think it is very gratifying to go into the studio and produce a product we are proud of.''

The groups perform many genres of music, but pop and rock seem to be an overarching theme. On average, they practice six hours a week, not to mention the time that it takes to arrange the songs for a group's range of voices. This, in addition to jobs, other clubs, and homework, can be a lot, but they love it.

`` We obviously have our moments where we are tired and don't want to be singing, but we wouldn't be doing this work for people if we didn't all share a passion for singing and if people didn't enjoy hearing us,'' Parks said.

The a cappella tradition is alive and well on the Wheaton College campus these days as groups prepare for their Jams and look to the end of another successful semester. While many students say that they joined a group to have fun, they are also learning a lot along the way.

`` Though my experience has been short,'' said Parks, `` I have learned that patience is key, cooperation is even more important, and that no one ever steals the show.''