UF's oldest performing ensemble launches 85th concert season

March 18, 2009

Listen to Men’s Glee Club

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Men’s Glee Club will highlight the beginning of its 85th year with two concerts, one in the University Auditorium with the Women’s Chorale, and one in Lake City with The Collegians, the men’s glee club of Florida State University.

The UF men’s close harmony singing has represented the uplifted heart, soul and spirit of the Florida Gators in song since the Glee Club was established in 1924.

The Men’s Glee Club is the oldest performing ensemble at the University of Florida and one of the oldest in the United States. From spirituals to fight songs, barbershop to bebop, the UF Men’s Glee Club has sung it all during 85 years of entertaining audiences throughout the country.

The first concert of the season will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 25 in the University Auditorium. The Men’s Glee Club and the Women’s Chorale will join voices once again as they have been doing for generations. The concert is free for students and $7 for other adults.

On April 14, the Men’s Glee Club will be joined in concert by the The Collegians for a joint performance. Professor Larry Gerber directs The Collegians. This unusual joint concert by two of the outstanding men’s vocal groups in Florida will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake City. The concert is free to the public.

Mihoko Tsutsumi directs both the Men’s Glee Club and Women’s Chorale.

The Men’s Glee Club performs music from the traditional glee club repertoire, as well as a broad spectrum of works from light classical to popular styles, and offers several performances throughout the academic year.

Composed of students from across the UF campus, the Men’s Glee Club is open to all male students without audition. All that is required is a love of music and the willingness to share music with fellow students and others by preparing to perform in concert several times each semester.

Contact the music department office at 352-392-0223 or e-mail tdconnors@earthlink.net for more information.