Purdue Varsity Glee Club

Abstract

"With integrity, passion, unparalleled showmanship and attention to every detail, the men of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club have proudly served as ambassadors of Purdue University with honor and dignity for more than 115 years.

Founded in 1893, this select ensemble has entertained on behalf of Purdue University for campus, community, state, national and international events, averaging between 50-60 appearances each year. Embodying the spirit of service above self, the men of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club represent different backgrounds and hometowns across the country, consistently maintaining a high level of academic excellence with majors ranging from engineering to education to management to biological sciences.

This dynamic musical troupe employs a versatile repertoire including gospel, vocal jazz, swing, contemporary hits, romantic ballads, classical choral selections, barbershop, folk melodies, patriotic standards, familiar opera choruses, country and novelty tunes, and utilizes small groups and outstanding soloists to further enhance each show.

Under the direction of William E. Griffel, the Purdue Varsity Glee Club continues to share a sound all its own through one-of-a-kind arrangements in tailor-made performances for audiences of all ages." - Purdue Musical Organization introductory of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club.

History

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club was founded in 1893 with 11 members, under the direction of Lafayette organist, Cyrus Dadswell. At the time, Purdue University was an agricultural and engineering school without a strong musical tradition. In 1910, under the direction of E.J. Wotawa, the Glee Club composed the fight song “Hail Purdue”, originally titled "Purdue War Song". During the 1920s and 1930s, directors Paul Smith and Albert Stewart led and expanded the organization. Stewart was refused funding by the university president, so some of the early funding for the Glee Club came from Indianapolis pharmaceutical magnate, Josiah K. Lilly Sr. Lacking regular rehearsal space, the organization was considered a campus orphan. Lillian Stewart, wife of then comptroller R.B. Stewart, offered her living room as rehearsal space. However, as the Glee Club gathered more admirers, University President Edward C. Elliot yielded and formalized Stewart's position, hired a staff, and provided rehearsal space. The first official space for the Glee Club and the Purdue Musical Organization was in the “Music Penthouse”, the top floor of University Hall.

Under Stewart’s direction, the Glee Club increased in size to more than 60 members. Concerts took the club to a variety of venues across the nation and abroad. In 1942, popularity of the Glee Club received an important boost when Purdue was a finalist in Fred Waring’s national Glee Club Sing-Off in New York. Other performance highlights were to follow, including U.S. presidential inaugurations, a goodwill trip to West Germany after World War II and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1974, William Luhman succeeded Stewart as director of PMO and the Glee Club. A man described as a “piano wizard with perfect pitch,” Luhman was a former Glee Clubber himself, graduating in 1949. Luhman’s career had developed at Stewart’s side, having accompanied the Glee Club for 17 years before taking the helm. While loyal to Stewart’s music philosophy, Luhman expressed some of his own interests by starting many Glee Club specialty groups. When illness and an untimely death cut short Luhman’s efforts, he was succeeded by accomplished pianist William Allen.

Traditions

Members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club keep their hair short and their faces clean-shaven, often wearing matching tuxedos during their performances. A standard of excellence in character is also highly encouraged, as well as maintaining credible academic grades. In addition to these general commitments, there are the following structural divisions:

The Purdusirs and Purdusires

The Purdusirs is a leadership group comprising outstanding juniors and seniors. Each of the 9-12 "sirs" chairs a committee.[2] The committees change frequently, but titles include Advancement, Public Relations, Properties, Rehearsal Room - Lounge & Transportation, Scholarship, Recruitment, Merchandise, Social Media, and Performance Preparation. The other two sirs are the chairman of the Sirs and the manager, who have oversight over the entire club. As well as heading the committees, they are responsible for various procedural matters. The Sirs wear gold and black ribbons on their full dress uniform.

The Purdusires is a parallel organization comprising outstanding administration, faculty and staff members.[2] This organization also has 9-12 members, individually assigned to each committee and acting as advisors and counselors to their respective Sirs and other Glee Club members. A Sire serves as someone with whom a Sir or other Glee Club member interacts through many varied activities, both formal and informal.

The Tradition of mingling

Men of the Glee Club spend a short time mingling with audience members after all full concerts and whenever appropriate. This allows the singers to show their appreciation as well as to connect with interested individuals. Many members of Glee Club audiences are Purdue, Purdue Musical Organization or Glee Club alumni who are interested in hearing about new developments on campus.

Carnation

White carnation boutonnières are traditionally worn by the Glee Club at full-dress concerts. After a concert, each singer pins his carnation on the woman of his choice.

The Medallion

The Varsity Glee Club's medallions worn by the Glee Club were originally furnished by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in gratitude for charity work done for the organization. In 1990, the NMSS discontinued the production of these medallions, and they ceased to become a part of the full-dress uniform. In the fall of 1991, the Glee Club acquired new medallions with the Purdue seal on the front and Glee Club Pete on the back, commemorating the group's upcoming centennial (1893–1993). The Purdue seal has two prominent features: the griffin, which symbolized strength in medieval heraldry, and the three-part shield, which represents the three stated aims of Purdue: education, research and service.

Glee Club Pete

Glee Club Pete is the traditional mascot of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, which is “Purdue Pete” wearing the full dress uniform.

The symbol originated as a joke in 1954, when Al Stewart and the Glee Club were performing for the Rotary Club of North Manchester, Indiana. One of the men of the Rotary Club by the name of Slim Warren took the traditional Purdue Pete and made a few modifications. Slim fashioned a 4-foot replica of Pete dressed in the complete Glee Club full-dress outfit and positioned him at the side of the stage. Dr. Stewart and the glee club took up a liking with the modified Purdue Pete so much that they adopted him as their official mascot.

World travels

The Varsity Glee Club has traveled throughout the continental U.S. and abroad, including to China, the British Isles the South Pacific, and South Africa. The most recent of which being a European Tour in the Summer of 2013. As ambassadors, the Glee Club spreads the message of Purdue and the Purdue Musical Organization all over the world.

Purdue Christmas show

The Purdue Christmas show, which was begun in 1933, takes place in the Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music. The First Christmas Show was held in 1933 in Fowler Hall.

There are six presentations of the Christmas show, which is seen by more than 30,000 people live. The Christmas show is made up of performances by the Varsity Glee Club, the Purduettes, the Purdue Bell Choir, University Choir, Heart and Soul, Purdue Kids Choir and the All Campus and Community Chorale.

Construction on the sets for the Christmas show begins in the summer. It takes three months to build the set, two weeks to put it on stage and fine tune things, hundreds of gallons of paint, and nearly 1,000 yards of fabric to create the sets, props, floor drop, screens, and custom curtain.

Directors of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club