The group eventually became quite popular, and started to branch out into other forms of music. They attempted the occasional madrigal, and even learned a version of "Yankee Doodle Dandy". The turnover in the group was fairly slow in this era, as people tended to stay in the group until they could no longer walk around, sing, and wrestle the occasional bear. In the words of the great Nathaniel Madsen, "Once a Banderfnatcher, alwayf a Banderfnatcher."

In the 1830's the group took a new turn. They began not only singing together, but living together and eating together as well. This created a more cohesive, cooperative group. It also had the side effect of starting certain rumors about the group being . . . er . . . one might say, "Light in the loafers". (Of course, unfounded rumors.)

During the Civil War, the Bandersnatchers took yet another turn. There was a large influx of freedmen (former slaves) from the deep south, and being fine Union supporting boys, and in the spirit of Abe Lincoln, the Banders accepted their first black member, Nathanial C. Brown. There were, of course, also rumors surrounding the fact that the newly accepted black member was also "light in the loafers", but that is probably another story. Nathanial turned out to be quite an asset to the group in his 47 years of service.

Many changes were to come througout the coming years, over the turn of the century. Eventually, in 1911, Lucy Scribner started Skidmore College, in Saratoga, the home base of the Bandersnatchers. The Bandersnatchers, under the guidance of their President, Nathanial Perling, decided that Skidmore would be an ideal operating base, as it's general relaxed, "country club like" atmosphere lent well to their abilities to perform their type of entertaining nonsense. This decision, however, proved to bring some awkward times for the group, as Skidmore was an all women's college. Suffice it to say that the Bandersnatchers kept the local wig manufacturers and lipstick makers busy well into the 1970's.

The 1950's and 60's were a time of great change for the Bandersnatchers. After a breif period of experiment with Doo-Wop that ended in disaster, the Banders decided to keep on doing what they had always done, and ignore the popular trends in a cappella music. They did a lovely version of the Byrd's "Turn, Turn, Turn" but were looked on as weirdo's well into the mid 1960's. They also refused to do any disco a cappella.

The 1970's were at the same time very liberating and very unfortunate for the Bandersnatchers. Some members of the group felt it their full right and responsability to take part in the sexual revolution of the 70's, and branch out into, as group Business Manager Nathanial Hussein put it, "New aref of erotic and sexual feelinf." While this was fine and good for those involved, it did nothing to help the already uncertain reputation of the group.

In 1976, the group underwent a radical transformation. Read about this first modern assembling of the group here in this letter to our present business manager, Derek, in regards to the invitations we sent out for the 200th reunion.

The group underwent yet another transformation two years later. The size was cut to five members. Due to this very small size, the group actually needed to sing with an accompanist, a female pianist named Laura Angilly. This group first performed as the intermission act for a Skidmore Chorus concert, and later went on to do other performances, such as one in the Spa. To learn more about this incarnation of the group, read this letter.

In the mid-eighties, the group disbanded for a period of a few years until it was reassembled by Dave Miner, Jeff Manzoli, Alex Pope, and several other of the "new" founders of the group. Unfortunately, most of the long history of the group was lost until now. Fortunately, it has been revived in anticipation of the 200th anniversary celebration.