The University of Michigan Men's Glee Club is an all-male glee club (or choir) at the University of Michigan currently conducted by Paul Rardin. Founded in 1859, it is the second-oldest collegiate chorus (behind the Harvard Glee Club) in the United States and is the oldest student organization at the University. The group is composed of about 100 singers from several of the schools and colleges at the University of Michigan. They perform repertoire ranging from music of the Renaissance to African-American spirituals. A Glee Club is a chorus, historically of men but also of just women or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in singing short songs. ... A choir or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. ... This article is about the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. ... Paul Rardin is associate director of choirs at the University of Michigan, where he teaches undergraduate conducting and conducts the University of Michigan Mens Glee Club and University Choir. ... The Harvard Glee Club is a 60-voice, all-male choral ensemble at Harvard University. ... Renaissance music is European classical music written during the Renaissance, approximately 1400 to 1600. ... A spiritual is a African-American song, usually with a religious text. ...

Image File history File links Ummgc_logo. ...

History

Early incarnations and tours

The Glee Club has undergone many changes since its inception. Once only a group of six or eight men usually from only one academic class, it has grown into a group of 100 men representing the majority of the schools and colleges at the University of Michigan. During the 1860's and 1870's, there were separate Glee Clubs, which usually numbered somewhere in the tens or twenties, for each graduating class. In 1876, the classes came together to form the University Glee Club, which numbered eight men during its first year and then jumped to sixteen the next year. In 1890, the Glee Club was joined by a banjo club and in 1897 by a mandolin club, and during the 1890's and the first few years of the twentieth century, there was also a Freshmen Glee Club. The name of the group also changed with the addition of the ensembles; for example, in 1897 the group was called the University Glee, Banjo, and Mandolin Club. In 1905, the Banjo Club ceased to exist, and in 1923, the Mandolin Club also dropped from the group and the group became simply the University of Michigan Glee Club. Due to the increasing popularity of the Girl's Glee Club in the 1930's, the group was renamed the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club in 1938, and in 1944 the group added "Varsity" to the title, but was dropped four years later. Finally, as an indicator of the cautious and businesslike 1980's the group added "Inc." to its official name in 1989. Old 6-string zither banjo For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument of African American origin, early or original examples sometimes being called the gourd banjo. Its name is commonly thought to be derived from the Kimbundu term mbanza. ... Carved and round backed mandolins (front) A mandolin is a small, plucked, stringed musical instrument, descended from the mandora. ...

During the founding of the Michigan Union in the early 1900s, Union Operas were held to raise money for the proposed building. Women were not allowed to act in these operas, so men played all the parts. Thus, the Glee Club played a prominent role in the operas, providing many of the singers and several of the composers. In fact, some of today’s favorite Glee Club songs, such as "The Bum Army" and "Ann Arbor Days", were originally written for the Michigan Union Operas. The Michigan Union is the student union for the University of Michigan. ... Sydney Opera House: one of the worlds most recognisable opera houses and landmarks. ... A composer is a person who writes music. ...

For a great part of the twentieth century, the Glee Club continued to expand its membership, maintaining a presence on the local entertainment scene, and continuing the tradition of touring set forth by their earlier counterparts. Tours in the early twentieth century were usually undertaken during Christmas break. These tours were by train, and the Glee Club manager would communicate with concert sponsors through telegrams. Most of these were local, but the Glee Club did take some extended tours, such as the "prairie states" tour in 1926 and 1941. This was the last tour for some time, as World War II had broken out; the six-year hiatus that followed (1942-1947) was the longest gap without tours in the twentieth century. Telegraphy (from the Greek words tele = far away and grapho = write) is the long distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters, originally over wire. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the use of images on this page may require cleanup, involving adjustment of image placement, formatting, size, or other adjustments. ...

The Duey years

Under the tenure of Philip Duey, who conducted the Glee Club from 1947 to 1969, the Club's recognition expanded into the national and international spheres aided by overseas tours and broad media attention. Through radio, television, recordings, and motion pictures, Duey made a national name for the Michigan Men’s Glee Club. In 1954, the Glee Club provided the music for an RKO film, Songs of the Colleges, which featured scenes from colleges and universities from around the country. In the fall of 1951, the Glee Club started the tradition of performing joint concerts with the Glee Club of a football opponent when they invited the Cornell Glee Club to Ann Arbor. All this was happening as choral music was becoming increasing popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The Glee Club had never had the membership base or the financial resources to attempt an international trip before, but in the spring of 1955, a four-week trip to Western Europe was undertaken, and it was a great success. Highlights included an appearance at the American Embassy in Rome and a performance before Queen Juliana of The Netherlands. Dick Bailin, historian for the 1955 tour, recounts the events of that day: RKO could stand for: RKO Pictures The R.K.O. - finishing manoever (and initials) of WWE professional wrestler Randy Orton. ... The Cornell University Glee Club (CUGC) is the oldest student organization at Cornell University, having been organized shortly after the first students arrived on campus in 1868. ... Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the Roman People) coordinates: 41°54′N 12°29′E Time Zone: UTC+1 Administration Subdivisions 19 municipi Province Rome Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni ( The Union ) Characteristics Area 1,285 km² Population 2,547,677 (2005 estimate) Density 1983/km... Queen Juliana Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, (April 30, 1909 - March 20, 2004) of the House of Orange-Nassau was Queen of the Netherlands from her mothers abdication in 1948 to her own abdication in 1980 and Queen Mother (with the title of Princess) from... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain...

"Finally, we arrive at The Hague, home of the Dutch government and a city in its own right. There is time to spare, so we eat our first meal in Europe--a full three-course dinner for $ .60! At last the Club piles into the bus and drives on to the City Hall. Here we wait in hushed expectation, and finally it happens--the Queen herself appears on the steps and the large crowd of Dutch people gathered around us applauds wildly. The Glee Club sings three songs, including the Dutch National Anthem, and while Dr. Duey is being presented to the Queen, numerous carefully concealed cameras are whipped out and many pictures are taken. Thus our tour starts in an exciting and illustrious way."

The European tour in 1959 commemorated the centennial of this organization. In addition to a four-week concert tour, which included performances at the Free University in West Berlin, the group competed in the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. The tour was planned so that this competition would be at the very beginning of the tour, but this plan almost backfired as the boat they were traveling on (the S.S. Seven Seas) was almost a day late getting into England. After a 3 a.m. arrival and only three hours sleep, the Glee Club became the first American choir ever to win the male choir competition. Free University may refer to: The Free University of Berlin, a university in Berlin, Germany. ... Berlin is the capital city and a state of Germany. ... Llangollen is a small town in Denbighshire, north Wales, famous for the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, the Llangollen Canal (whose Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is nearby), and the Llangollen Railway. ... Motto: (Welsh for Wales for ever) Anthem: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Capital Cardiff Largest city Cardiff Official language(s) English, Welsh Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM Unification    - by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn 1056  Area    - Total 20,779 km² (3rd...

After winning the Llangollen prize in 1959, the Glee Club planned four subsequent trips in which they stopped in Wales for the competition. In 1963, a five-week tour included special performances at the residence of the American Ambassador in Athens and the American Embassy in London. The Glee Club once again won the male choral division first place prize. In 1967, the Glee Club celebrated the University’s sesquicentennial year by embarking on a gargantuan world concert tour between May and July. This tour holds the record of being the longest in the history of the Glee Club. After traversing the world for eight weeks, the Glee Club took third place--the only time that the Glee Club did not receive the first place prize at Llangollen. In 1971, the Glee Club returned to Europe under the direction of Willis Patterson and won the male competition at the International Music Eisteddfod yet again, and in 1978, the task was repeated under Leonard Johnson. This victory in Wales marked the fourth time the Michigan Men’s Glee Club had won the prize. Unfortunately, changes in the school calendar and the fact that the competition is held in early July have prevented the Club from attempting another victory. However, to celebrate this accomplishment, the Glee Club gives out four Llangollen Awards annually to members who embody the spirit of this competition. Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. ...

Many other highlights come from the Duey years. In September of 1965 the Glee Club--along with Harvard University, Smith College, and Howard University--was invited to represent the United States at the first International University Choral Festival. This event was held at Lincoln Center in New York and at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Glee Club also made appearances on the Dinah Shore Show, the Pat Boone Show, and Ed Sullivan’s "Toast of the Town". David Wallingford, member from 1951 to 1953, recounts the events of that evening on Ed Sullivan's show. Harvard University campus (old map) Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is an accredited private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... Smith College, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, is the largest womens college in the United States. ... Howard University is an historically black university in Washington, D.C. Notable alumni include Toni Morrison, Thurgood Marshall, Ossie Davis, Debbie Allen, and Phylicia Rashad. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ... Official language(s) English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi (141,205 km²)  - Width 285 miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... Washington National Cathedral was the site of two Presidential state funerals: for Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald W. Reagan, and a presidential burial in the cathedral mausoleum: Woodrow Wilson. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., with regard to the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. ... Dinah Shore (born Frances Rose Shore, February 29, 1916 – February 24, 1994) was an American singer, actress and talk show host. ... Pat Boone Charles Eugene Patrick Boone (known as Pat Boone) (born June 1, 1934) is a singer whose smooth style made him a popular performer of the 1950s. ... Ed Sullivan Edward Vincent Sullivan (September 28, 1901 – October 13, 1974) was an American entertainment writer and television host, best known as the emcee of a popular TV variety show that was at its height of popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. ...

"The first [memory that I want to share] has to do with our opening song "Laudes atque Carmina". We were to appear on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town". We were permitted because of time limitations to sing only two songs, but we wanted to sing our traditional opening hymn also. Ed Sullivan said there wasn't time--but like all loyal and resourceful Glee Clubbers, we hummed it behind the curtain through the commercial and through the introduction--the tradition was not broken."

The Modern Era

In the 1980’s, under the direction of Patrick Gardner, the group made appearances at Avery Fisher Hall in New York, the pre-game festivities for the final game of the 1984 World Series at Tiger Stadium, and at the Intercollegiate Musical Council National Seminar at Harvard University in 1986. One highlight occurred in 1983 when the Glee Club, on their West Coast Tour, performed a concert in San Diego and sang The Hymn and several other Michigan songs for Earl V. Moore - former Dean of the School of Music and composer of several Michigan songs. , Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. ... The 1984 World Series began on October 9, 1984 and ended October 14. ... This article is about Tiger Stadium in Detroit. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin...

Under the direction of recent conductor, Jerry Blackstone, the Michigan Men’s Glee Club broke new ground while embarking on four historic overseas tours. In 1989 the Glee Club spent three weeks touring Asia with concerts in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. In 1992 the Club embarked on a trip to Eastern Europe, where they were one of the first American groups to visit the new country of Estonia, which had recently declared independence from the defunct Soviet Union. 1996 brought the Club to South America including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru, and the Club most recently traversed Australia in 2000. The highlight of this tour was the inaugural Men of Song Festival hosted by the Brisbane Boys’ College in which 132 young men participated in a workshop and joint concert led by the Glee Club. Under Blackstone the Men’s Glee Club attained a new echelon of musical excellence as was paid testimony by countless reviewers around the world. "I was completely enchanted. It is unbelievable that an amateur group could surpass our most professional choirs with such ease of execution" exclaimed the secretary of the Warsaw Philharmonica. A reviewer for Voces, Journal of the Federation of Choral Music, Chile further codified this distinctive sound. Jerry Blackstone is an American choral conductor. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

"They performed with a rich, expressive sound that never lost its warmth, even in the most extreme ranges. A distinctive trait of the group is its spontaneity, maintaining a fluency and uninhibited manner...and a controlled dose of humor that earned the affection of the audience."

Under Blackstone’s direction the Club was invited to perform at three conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, including the 1997 National Convention in San Diego. The Club also released six compact discs during this time and was featured on two tracks of Manheim Steamroller’s 2001 album Christmas Extraordinaire. The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a non-profit organization aimed at improving the quality of education towards choral music. ... Mannheim Steamroller is an 18th century classical rock group founded by Chip Davis, and co-founded by Jackson Berkey, well-known for their modern recordings of Christmas music. ...

In 1989 a new constitution was adopted and in 1991 the first annual Male Vocal Arts Day, a workshop for high school men, was held. Fiscal responsibility was also a priority as the 1990’s saw the Club’s endowments blossom from one to four as well as the institution of the annual Phone-a-Thon fundraising drive which serves as a primary revenue source. The Glee Club saw another first in the spring of 2001 as a combined Men’s Glee Club and Smith College Glee Club and Chorale staged a performance of Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem in Northampton, MA. The following fall the endeavor was repeated in Hill Auditorium with the Smith and Michigan Women’s Glee Clubs. Stephen Lusmann recently led the Club from 2002-2005; highlights of his tenure include an appearance at the IMC National Convention at Harvard University, a sixteen day tour of Great Britain and Ireland in 2004 and the club's premiere performance in Carnegie Hall with the Smith College Glee Club in 2005. The Club is now under the direction of Paul Rardin as it approaches its sesquicentennial in 2009. Johannes Brahms Johannes Brahms (May 7, 1833 – April 3, 1897) was a German composer of classical music. ... Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) is a large-scale choral work written by Johannes Brahms in 1868; it is Brahms Op. ... Northampton Guildhall, built 1861-4, E.W. Godwin, architect Northampton is a large market town and a local government district in central England upon the River Nene, and the county town of Northamptonshire. ... Hill Auditorium in early spring. ... Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City located at 881 7th Avenue, occupying the east stretch of 7th Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street. ... Paul Rardin is associate director of choirs at the University of Michigan, where he teaches undergraduate conducting and conducts the University of Michigan Mens Glee Club and University Choir. ...

Values

The Glee Club is based on the values of tradition, camaraderie, and musical excellence, or "T, C & ME". "Tradition" harkens to the long history of the group and the rituals that have developed over the years — from beginning every concert with "Laudes atque Carmina," to singing for tailgaters on the Saturday mornings of Michigan football games, to gathering after Thursday night rehearsals for song and drink. Such traditions build "Camaraderie" — as they sing and tour together, members become aware that they are part of a long lineage, and a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie develops. "Musical Excellence" is the fundamental goal of the group, corroborated by numerous awards and positive media reviews.

Directors and Terms

• Rossetter G. Cole, 1886 - 1889
• Albert A. Stanley, 1889 - 1892
• Silas R. Mills, 1892 - 1893
• Student Lead, 1893 - 1908
• Earle Killeen, 1908 - 1911
• William A. Howland, 1911 - 1914
• Russell Carter, 1919 - 1920
• Frank L. Thomas, 1920 - 1922
• George O. Bowen, 1922 - 1924
• Theodore Harrison, 1914 - 1919, 1924 - 1930
• Arthur Hackett, 1930 - 1931
• David Mattern, 1931 - 1947
• Philip Duey, 1947 - 1969
• Willis Patterson, 1969 - 1975
• Leonard Johnson, 1975 - 1981
• Patrick Gardner, 1981 - 1987
• Bradley Bloom, 1987 - 1988
• Jerry Blackstone, 1988 - 2002
• Stephen Lusmann, 2002 - 2005
• Paul Rardin, 2005-Present

Jerry Blackstone is an American choral conductor. ... Paul Rardin is associate director of choirs at the University of Michigan, where he teaches undergraduate conducting and conducts the University of Michigan Mens Glee Club and University Choir. ...

Subsets and A Cappella Groups

• Varsity Quartette: 1910’s and 1920’s
• Midnight Sons Quartet : ?
• Key Changers : ?
• Novelaires: 1948-1958
• The Friars: 1955-Present (http://www.umfriars.com)

The University of Michigan Friars are an all male singing a capella group formed at the University of Michigan in 1955. ...

Notable Alumni

• Bob McGrath, singer and actor who played "Bob" on Sesame Street.
• Jeff Marx, co-composer of Avenue Q.
• Thomas Dewey, three-time governor of New York and two-time Republican Presidential candidate
• Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and CNN senior medical correspondent. ^[1]

Bob McGrath was a singer who worked with Mitch Miller then went on to play the human character Bob on Sesame Street. ... Sesame Street is an educational American childrens television series designed for preschoolers, and is recognized as a pioneer of the contemporary standard which combines education and entertainment in childrens television shows. ... Marx (left) and Lopez (right) Jeff Marx (born September 10, 1970) is a composer and lyricist of musicals. ... Avenue Q is a Broadway musical. ... Thomas Edmund Dewey (March 24, 1902 – March 16, 1971) was the Governor of New York (1943-1955) and the Republican candidate for the U.S. Presidency in two elections (1944 and 1948), losing both times. ... Dr. Sanjay Gupta, during a December 6, 2004, appearance on Paula Zahn Now. ...

International Tours

• 1955: Europe
• 1959: Europe
• 1963: Europe
• 1967: World Tour
• 1971: Europe
• 1978: Europe
• 1985: Europe
• 1989: Southeast Asia
• 1992: Eastern & Central Europe
• 1996: South America
• 2000: Australia
• 2004: Great Britain & Ireland

References

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ...

External links

• University of Michigan Men's Glee Club
• The Friars