By Fr. Octavio Luna Á., OFM
The Notre Dame Glee Club, ranked as one of the finest all-male collegiate choral groups in the United States, made its debut in Washington Hall at the University of Notre Dame in December 1915. Today, the 75-voice ensemble continues its century-old tradition of performing in white tie and tails, and maintains the rich, full sound that has delighted audiences all over the world. All that has changed over a century is the repertoire. As the glee club’s website notes, “we sing everything from Beethoven to Billy Joel.”
On Sunday, May 29, at 4pm, the Notre Dame Glee Club will give a single concert at the San Francisco Church, on the corner of Calle San Francisco and Juárez, in Centro. The concert is a benefit to raise money to purchase a church organ for the Templo de Tercera Orden, which adjoins the Iglesia de San Francisco. The historic 1875 pipe organ is being relocated from Massachusetts to San Miguel and will serve as a concert instrument, a recital instrument for participation in the San Miguel Organ Festival, and for general use in the Tercera Orden Chapel.
The Notre Dame Glee Club tours internationally, has appeared in feature films, has performed in the Mahler Second Symphony with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and has shared the stage with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Vince Gill, and the Kronos Quartet.
According to music historian Michael Anderson, author of “The Singing Irish: A History of the Notre Dame Glee Club,” the group’s high point of fame occurred in the early 1950s, thanks to appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show. However, he notes, “the ensemble continues to sell out concerts on national and international tours, having traveled to nearly every state in the United States and numerous countries in Europe, Asia, and Central America.
Through its eclectic repertoire and polished singing, the Glee Club has achieved a lofty status among collegiate choral ensembles in the United States. The program for the May 29 concert will consist of classical, spiritual, and Irish music, along with “folkloric” selections—a broad category that can include anything from American barbershop to Indian ragas.
There are no advance tickets and there is no reserved seating. To attend the concert, come to the church starting one hour before the performance. The beneficiary requests a donation of 500 pesos (or more, if you are inclined) for admission.
Music
Notre Dame Glee Club Choir
Sun, May 29, 4pm
San Francisco Church
San Francisco corner and Juarez, Centro
500 pesos donation
