PMGC: Support Our Sound

Since 1890, the University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club has been dedicated to a tradition of exceptional musicianship. Through the hard work of every singer over the course of the group’s long history, we have been able to establish ourselves as one of the top choirs in the country. Many other collegiate choral ensembles are comprised primarily of music students, and often receive direct funding from their Universities—the Pitt Men’s Glee Club is unique in that we have very few music students, and because we raise almost the entirety of our funding ourselves. We also embark upon annual tours, often overseas; in the past, we have travelled to Italy, Croatia, Belgium, and France, performing concerts at venues such as Notre Dame de Paris and alongside such esteemed vocal groups as Con Cuore in Belgium and the Empire City Men’s Chorus in New York City.

The year 2015 is a landmark for the group, not only because is it our 125th anniversary as a part of the Pittsburgh community, but also because it marks our return to Italy with a tour beginning on April 27th, perhaps our biggest yet. Additionally, we are commissioning a commemorative work from composer Rosephanye Powell, who has been lauded as one of America’s “premier women composers of choral music,” which we will perform both on tour and at our 125th anniversary concert. Lastly, our group will put together a recording of the concert which will be compiled into a commemorative 125th Anniversary album in the fall to mark this momentous occasion.

This is where you come in.

The Pitt Men’s Glee Club is a team in every sense of the word, as much so as our University’s football or basketball teams: every member is a vital part of our music and our identity. We want to do everything we can do in order to ensure that each of our 67 members has the opportunity to join us in this historic venture. Our commissions and recordings, too, are important aspects of how we thrive not only as an ensemble, but also as a living and ever-growing part of our community, as they give us the potential to expand our repertoire and listenership. The goal of all that we do is to bring recognition to the University of Pittsburgh as a school that lives up to the idea of providing its students with a learning environment enhanced by acknowledging the importance of the arts to the human experience. With help from the Pitt community, both right here in Oakland and abroad, we know we can make these dreams a reality.

Donations made to the group will go towards defraying the costs of:

• Ground transport to and from Washington, Dulles Intl. Airport ($3,700)
• Paying for a commissioned work for our 125th Anniversary ($3,000)
• Funding a high-quality CD of the 125th Anniversary Concert ($3,000)

Note: all perk reward levels are cumulative; for example, donors at the highest level will receive all lower-level perks as well.