The Women’s Glee Club has been on campus since 1893 as a Soprano Alto choir. The WGC is both a class through the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and a club for other students outside of SMTD. Twice a week, members meet to practice for their formal performances, which occur two to three times per term with a flexible amount of involvement for club members. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, WGC President Julia Housey discussed the opportunities for the club.
“WGC has many unique performance opportunities such as our annual tour, semesterly concerts in the esteemed Hill Auditorium concert hall, Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies, SMTD’s Grand Night for Singing, hosting Women’s Vocal Arts Day every January for high school SSAA singers across Michigan and invitations to sing at official U-M tailgates, Michigan Medicine’s annual Medical School Reunion, M-Housing events, U-M sporting events, official football tailgates and more,” Housey said.
Outside of the club, the members host many social, outreach and educational events to foster connection and gain more members.
“Amidst the chaos of college life, WGC has allowed me a constant tether to music and a community of wonderful, deeply kind people for whom that tether is equally as important,” Housey said.
Currently, WGC has approximately 80 members, the majority of whom are non-music majors.
“We exist for those who may not be pursuing music formally, but for whom it is undoubtedly special to remain connected to,” Housey said.
WGC strives and succeeds in creating a welcoming environment where the most important goal is to enjoy creating music together. Each year, the club partakes in an annual tour, a highlight for many members. The most recent locations the club traveled to were Ireland, New Orleans and Spain.
During their visit to Spain this last May, WGC got the opportunity to attend a flamenco show in Madrid. After the show ended, WGC met with the performers and were asked to sing a piece. They chose a Mexican folk song, “La Llorana.” As they sang, one of the dancers unexpectedly began improvising.
“It felt like we were suspended in time for those few minutes,” Housey said, “two groups of musicians from two parts of the world sharing their joys with one.”
Throughout the ups and downs of college, WGC continues to be a creative outlet and connection to music for its members. The club has created a community of kind people where long-lasting friendships are prioritized. If you are looking for a space to escape from a hectic college semester and perform with a talented group of individuals, Women’s Glee Club might be right for you.
Daily Arts Writer Chloe Jarrett can be reached at chloejar@umich.edu.
