"The majority of the singers in the choruses at Harvard and Radcliffe, where the heritage of choral singing is so rich, are headed for non-musical professions. So for them singing in the chorus is their ultimate musical expression. And the singing in this performance was characterized by exactly that kind of energy and utter involvement."
--The Boston Globe
Founded in 1858, the Harvard Glee Club is the oldest college choir in America, and is considered by many to be the premier collegiate men's chorus in the country. We are a close-knit group of Harvard undergraduate and graduate students bound together by friendship, a shared love of music, and a passion for singing for diverse audiences at Harvard, across the United States, and around the world.
In addition to the main chorus, the Glee Club features a smaller subset ensemble, HGC Lite, which performs lighter a cappella works.
For any questions about the Harvard Glee Club, contact our manager, Jason Varnell at
Summer Tour Winds Down
After giving out last concert on July 2nd at the concert hall at the
University of Munich, most members have returned home. Some members
are remaining in Europe to tour on their own, while others will return
to jobs in the states for the remainder of the summer, or just relax
at home. Definite highlights of the tour included performing in the
Berlin Philharmonie, as well as in some of the most beautiful churches
in Krakow and Budapest. Our hosts in all the cities were also
wonderful, and many members noted that one of the best parts of the
trip was getting to know the people we stayed with in each country.
The last day of tour was a bittersweet farewell to the graduating
seniors, combined with the exhaustion that came from constant motion
for the past month. It was also the day when our new officers took
over for the outgoing President, Vice-president, and Secretary. This
year's underclassmen are looking forward to an exciting concert season
next year, including a performance of Handel's Messiah, as well as the
traditional football concerts with Yale and Princeton.
New Officers Elected
The Glee Club convened on Tuesday, May 17 for one of two annual
meetings required by our bylaws, and elected a President,
Vice-President, and Secretary for next year. After current President
Andrew Budrieka announced the candidates, members of the Glee Club
filed to the front of Holden Chapel to place their ballots into the
traditional ballot box. The Glee Club is pleased to announce our
officers for 2005-2006:
President elect: Jon Blazek '06
Vice-president elect: Richard Lonsdorf '06
Secretary elect: Matthew Growdon '07
Following the election, Andrew presented the new President-elect with
a copy of Sun Tzu's "Art of War" to help him plot the course of the
Glee Club, as well as a few other token items.
AC Meets Glee Club
As part of HGC President Andrew Budreika's plan to foster more
communication through the generations of singers, past and present,
and with help from the Glee Club Foundation, the Glee Club had an
opportunity meet with and eat lunch with the members of the Alumni
Chorus. The AC was in town rehearsing for their upcoming concert with
the Kyoto University Glee Club Old Boys, as well as the current Glee
Club.
HGC Returns from Spring Tour
The Glee Club has returned from its annual Spring Tour, this one to
the Midwest, traveling in a loop from Chicago to Kansas City, with
stops in the St. Paul and Omaha, as well as the home-towns of three
current members. Thanks to all the hosts and organizers who
contributed to make this tour such a success, as well as our intrepid
tour manager, Dave Dodman.
We're looking forward to finishing off an already busy year with a
bang. Before our Summer Tour to Eastern Europe, we will be performing
Schubert's Gesang der Geister with the New England
Conservatory, and Brahms's Ein Deutsches Requiem with the other
Holden choirs.
See the Concerts
Listing for all the events between now and our departure for Europe.
HGC 2004-2005 Concert Season
For the 2004-2005 season we are pleased to announce our full concert schedule.
Highlights of the coming year include:
In May we will combine with the
Radcliffe Choral Society and the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum
to perform Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Orchestra of
Emmanuel Music.
