From the Archives
Short songs and readings staples for the Glee Club

April 11, 2008

The concept of the Glee Club originated in 18th century England. Traditionally it was a choir of men who specialized in short songs. Though the popularity of Glee Clubs has waned locally, it was a popular student activity in the first four decades of the University of Saskatchewan’s history. It was one of the earliest student clubs, giving its first concert at Assembly Hall Collegiate Institute Saskatoon (now Nutana Collegiate) in the University’s second year of classes.

This issue’s image is of the 1916-17 Glee Club, who proclaimed that theirs was the “most successful year” in the club’s history. The highlight of the year was the “Grand Concert” given by The University Glee Club in Convocation Hall on Tuesday, February 27, 1917 at 8:15 p.m. The program was a mixture of Glee Club selections, readings and soloists. Among the songs performed were Rossini’s Carnival and the Welsh Air March of the Men of Harlot.

Patrick Hayes
U of S Archives