Cornell University Glee Club

Cornell University Glee Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate choirs in the United States, with a rich history dating back to 1868, when it was founded by Professor George Franklin and John Henry Pratt. The club has performed with renowned conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Erich Leinsdorf, and Kurt Masur, and has shared the stage with esteemed ensembles like the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Cleveland Orchestra. Over the years, the club has also collaborated with notable artists, including Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell, and Yo-Yo Ma. The club's performances have been praised by critics from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.

● History

The Cornell University Glee Club was established in 1868, during the presidency of Andrew Dickson White, with the goal of promoting music education and fostering a sense of community among students. The club's early years were marked by performances with other collegiate choirs, including the Harvard Glee Club and the Yale Glee Club. In the early 20th century, the club began to tour extensively, performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall (Boston), and the Kennedy Center. The club has also performed at numerous Ivy League events, including the Ivy League Conference and the Ivy League Championship. Notable performances have included collaborations with the United States Marine Band, the United States Army Chorus, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

● Membership and Organization

The Cornell University Glee Club is composed of approximately 50-60 students, selected through a rigorous audition process, which is overseen by the club's music director and faculty advisor. The club is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the Cornell University Department of Music, the Cornell University Student Union, and the Cornell University Alumni Association. The club's membership has included students from a wide range of academic disciplines, including engineering, business, arts and sciences, and hotel administration. Many members have gone on to pursue careers in music, including opera singers like Jessye Norman and Bryn Terfel, as well as conductors like Michael Tilson Thomas and Alan Gilbert.

● Music and Repertoire

The Cornell University Glee Club's repertoire spans a wide range of musical styles, from classical works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms to contemporary pieces by Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and John Adams. The club has also performed numerous folk song arrangements, including those by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber. In addition, the club has premiered works by notable composers, such as Elliott Carter and Milton Babbitt. The club's music library includes works by Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, as well as arrangements by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker.

● Performances and Tours

The Cornell University Glee Club performs regularly on campus, including annual concerts at Bailey Hall and Sage Chapel. The club has also toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad, performing in countries such as Canada, Mexico, China, and Japan. Notable performances have included appearances at the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Ravinia Festival, and the Grant Park Music Festival. The club has also collaborated with other collegiate choirs, including the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club and the Stanford University Mendicants. The club's performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio and PBS, and have been reviewed by critics from The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune.

● Notable Alumni

The Cornell University Glee Club has a long list of notable alumni, including William Warfield, a renowned baritone who performed with the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera; Richard Tucker, a celebrated tenor who sang with the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Opera; and Jerry Hadley, a tenor who performed with the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera. Other notable alumni include conductor Karel Husa, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1969, and composer Steven Stucky, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2005. The club's alumni have also gone on to pursue careers in law, medicine, business, and politics, including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Senator Chuck Schumer.

Category:University and college singing groups in the United States