Notre Dame of Maryland University Glee Club records

The Glee Club (GC) first met on October 21, 1936. Their first spring concert was on May 20, 1937, conducted by Frances Jackman Civis. Over the years GC sang for many “assemblies, concerts, Masses, and miscellaneous programs.” A number of their concerts in the 1940s were broadcast over radio, including a nationwide hookup through WCBM in 1940 and a shortwave broadcast to Central and South America in 1942. GC sang at the New York World’s fair in 1940 and performed a concert of music composed by Notre Dame Sisters to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in January 1947. GC regularly sang for the November 22 feast day of St. Cecelia, the patron saint of music, and was described as “one of the smoothest running organizations on campus in the May 21, 1959 issue of Columns.

GC’s undated constitution states their purpose as “to develop a greater appreciation of music, a knowledge of good choral literature and greater interpretive power.” Membership was by audition and excluded freshmen unless their voice “is considered by the Moderator to be an asset to the chorus.”

The GC evidently ceased to exist in the early 1960s. After their 25th anniversary celebration in 1961, there is no further mention of them in the student newspaper. The last year for which officers are listed is 1961-62. The December 13, 1962 issue of Columns announced “Concert Choir to Present First Performance in the Cathedral.” It may be inferred that this new Concert Choir was the later emanation of GC.