In the fall of 1990, a group of handsome gentlemen in the University of Richmond's choir decided to start the school's first all-male a cappella group, the Octāves. The name “Octāves” comes from the musical term “octave” and refers to the group's eight founding members. It also serves as a clever reference to the school's eight-legged mascot: the Spiders. Over the past 35 years, the Tāves have consistently been a part of campus life at the University of Richmond, and as time has progressed, so has the quality of the group. The group has showcased its talents all over the East Coast, performing and competing in various events ranging from non-profit community concerts to the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella!

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Every spring, the Octāves host Spring Fever, the biggest a cappella event of the semester at the University of Richmond. For over 25 years, Spring Fever has brought some of the best a cappella groups from around the country to perform alongside the Tāves, and the event promises to bring many more in the future.