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Created in 1968 by alumnus John
Filippone, the Glee Club Patch remains today an integral part of
the Glee Club uniform. Over the years more and more Glee
Clubbers asked about the symbols on the patch and, with a bit of
searching, the original details about the patch were found.
The two symbols
in red are the modern-day tenor clef (chosen primarily because
it faces left) and are placed opposite the notation of the early
music placement of "C." This symbolizes the variety of music
that the Glee Club performs.
John found that the symbol for the "first
son" in heraldry was perfect for the top, and the two negative
spaces became keystones, the symbol for the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Most people would overlook the visual pun in
the central figure—a lyre is also a
symbol for a conductor with raised arms. The lyre shape is
actually not just a shape John fabricated to aid in his design,
but it is also found strictly in Medieval French shields. He
added the strings and hole, but the large curves sweep the eye
upward to the keystones and the name of the University.
Finally, the draped enclosure for the "Glee
Club" is in keeping with the old flavor of the total design and
anchors the entire design with its echo of the shield's bottom
curve.
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