To mark the sesquicentennial of the Cornell Glee Club, the university鈥檚 oldest student organization, a record number of past and current members鈥攎ore than 300鈥攇athered during Reunion 2019. There were speeches, receptions, and, of course, music.
Alumni kicked off Saturday鈥檚 luncheon, the centerpiece of the weekend, with a spontaneous singing of 鈥淪trike up a Song for Cornell.鈥 During the Glee Club concert with the Cornell University Chorus on Friday鈥攁 regular Reunion event鈥擥lee Club members overflowed the Bailey Hall stage, singing from sections on either side, as well. The concert culminated with 鈥淎ve Maria鈥 by Franz Biebl, the ensemble鈥檚 signature piece.
In addition to performing as one super-ensemble, distinct cohorts took turns honoring the directors they sang under: , the Percy Browning 鈥56 Director of Choral Programs (2013鈥損resent); Scott Tucker (1995鈥2012); Thomas Sokol (1957-1995) or Thomas Tracy (1946-1957).
The Glee Club alumni also played a leading role in an epic Cornelliana Night on Saturday.
鈥淲e have nearly 75 years-worth of alumni singing together, and that鈥檚 something really special,鈥 said Corey Earle 鈥07, Reunion chair. 鈥淔ew Cornell organizations have such longevity and continuity across the generations, not to mention such a strong tradition of alumni engagement.鈥
The celebration had notes of solemnity; Friday afternoon, a memorial service commemorated the life and legacy of Sokol, who died in April. 鈥淏oth Scott [Tucker] and I are sorrowed that our predecessor passed away too soon to take part in the celebration he was so much looking forward to,鈥 said Isaacs.
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