Overview
The UNC Men’s Glee Club is the oldest continually existing choral organization on campus, with reports of performances dating back to at least 1892. The group has provided high quality choral music experience for literally thousands of alumni, many of whom serve or have served as professional musicians, teachers and conductors around the nation, and many more who have attained distinction in other fields outside of music. A notable alumnus of the group is the well-known actor, Andy Griffith, who was president of the Glee Club when he was a UNC undergraduate in the late 1940’s. The group has earned a reputation for distinguished performance of the best music for men’s voices, and remains a popular musical choice for students today with a current membership of 34 men. Its repertoire is a widely-eclectic mixture of sacred and secular music in all styles and from all periods. The group is currently conducted by Dr. Daniel Huff.
The Men’s Glee Club has been an integral part of campus life from its inception. Indeed, the poetry for the familiar “Hark the Sound”, Carolina’s well-known alma mater, was written by William Myers, a second tenor from the group, and was first performed by the Glee Club in 1897. The group is often asked to participate in campus events such as Commencement, First-year and Transfer Convocations, and recently performed, with the Women’s Glee Club, for the Carolina Living Legends Fall Luncheon. Recent invited performances include The National Jane Austen Society Annual Conference in Richmond, VA, the NC American Choral Directors Association luncheon at the NC Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Winston-Salem, Performing Arts Concert Series in Raleigh and Tarboro, NC, and an appearance at the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses, INC. in Lexington, VA. In addition, the group regularly collaborates with the UNC Women’s Glee Club and the Meredith College Chorale as well as the Carolina Choir and Chamber Singers in the performance of large works.
In addition, the Men’s Glee Club sponsors the All-Carolina Invitational Male Choral Festival held annually in January. This festival brings high school students from across North Carolina to UNC for the opportunity to perform with the Men’s Glee Club under the direction of a quest clinician.
Current members come from a wide variety of majors and generally remain with the group for the duration of their college years. The group rehearses on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:15–6:45 p.m. The Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs collaborate for on-campus concerts and for an annual tour, as well as occasional other performances.