Thank you for visiting our website. I am honored and privileged to be the ninth director of the Glee Club, and look forward to upholding and furthering the musical and fraternal traditions of this splendid organization. As a graduate of both the University of Michigan and Florida State University, the men have been very helpful in initiating me in the traditions of my new university home!

The fall semester of 2005 proved to be busy and very productive. The Homecoming Concert in October was well received and carried on the Glee Club tradition of presenting programs that combine quality classical works, entertaining numbers, and of course, the Penn State fight songs and Alma Mater. It was wonderful to have Glee Club alumni join us on stage to sing the school songs, and a highlight of the evening was Bruce Trinkley’s conducting of the Alma Mater. As the new director, I was moved by the sight of current members singing with alumni from several generations under the expert direction of Bruce. I am grateful to Bruce for his discrete and wise counsel as we entered this time of transition.

As well as our Homecoming Concert, members of the Glee Club sang at a number of functions for the Alumni Association including two Fifth Quarter receptions; and a lecture I gave as part of the Huddle with the Faculty entitled “Music and Identity: for the Glory of Old State, Raise the Song.” We also sang the national anthem at a women’s volleyball match, and men’s ice hockey match, and appeared at the “Be a Part From the Start” rally for incoming freshmen in August, as well as the Homecoming Pep Rally on the steps of Old Main.

The current semester will be equally busy, and extremely rewarding. On February 10 we will perform in a masterclass and concert as part of the African-American Festival in the Esber Recital Hall.

Our annual Spring tour takes us to Texas from 3 – 11 March where we will be hosted by Penn State Alumni Chapters in Dallas/Denton (3-6 March), Austin (6-9 March), and Houston (9-11 March). Should you live near those cities, we would be delighted to welcome you, and to have you join us in raising the song at the conclusions of the performances.

A special project for us will be a performance of the German Requiem by Johannes Brahms on Sunday 9 April at 2:00PM in the Eisenhower Auditorium. We will join forces with the Concert Choir, Oriana Singers, and university orchestra under the direction of Dr. Lynn Drafall, (Director of Choral Activities at Penn State) to perform one of the great masterpieces of western classical music.

As usual we will give our Blue and White Concert on Saturday 22 April at 8:00PM in the Schwab Auditorium presenting a variety of repertoire including well known spirituals, and hits from the shows. A highlight of the evening will be a performance of Standchen by Franz Schubert featuring new faculty member Dr. Jennifer Trost as the mezzo-soprano soloist, and the new Director of the School of Music, Dr. Sue Haug as the pianist.

All of us who are involved in the current Glee Club are aware of the importance of alumni members. You are a testament to the values that Glee Club men have upheld for one hundred and seventeen years. You help current members to realize what a gift it is it to serve as a member of the Glee Club, and you understand that it is our responsibility to ensure that the Glee Club lasts many years beyond our personal involvement.

The creation of our new Alumni Interest Group is an exciting development that will help all Glee Clubbers to forge stronger bonds and build greater sense of community among past, present, and future men. I encourage you to become active either by serving on the Board or contributing articles to future newsletters (the first of which is scheduled for release in early 2006).

Thank you for your service to the Glee Club in the past, and for your continued interest in our activities. We hope to see you at one of our coming events.

Brothers, sing on!

Dr. Christopher Kiver, Director