Purdue Varsity Glee Club

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club is one of the principal vocal groups of Purdue University established in 1893. They sing a wide variety of songs including novelty, patriotic, classical, inspirational, jazz, and barbershop songs. It is one of five ensembles associated with Purdue Musical Organizations.

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club was founded in 1893 with 11 members, under the direction of Lafayette organist, Cyrus Dadswell. At the time, Purdue University was an agricultural and engineering school without a strong musical tradition. In 1910, under the direction of E.J. Wotawa, the Glee Club composed the fight song “Hail Purdue”, originally titled "Purdue War Song". During the 1920s and 1930s, directors Paul Smith and Albert Stewart led and expanded the organization. Stewart was refused funding by the university president, so some of the early funding for the Glee Club came from Indianapolis pharmaceutical magnate, Josiah K. Lilly Sr. Lacking regular rehearsal space, the organization was considered a campus orphan. Lillian Stewart, wife of then comptroller R.B. Stewart, offered her living room as rehearsal space. However, as the Glee Club gathered more admirers, University President Edward C. Elliot yielded and formalized Stewart's position, hired a staff, and provided rehearsal space. The first official space for the Glee Club and the Purdue Musical Organization was in the “Music Penthouse”, the top floor of University Hall.

Tradition is a big part of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. Members keep their hair short and their faces clean-shaven, often wearing matching tuxedos during their performances. A standard of excellence in character is also highly encouraged, as well as maintaining credible academic grades. In addition to these general commitments, there are the following traditions:

The Purdusirs is a leadership group comprising outstanding juniors and seniors. Each of the 9-12 "sirs" chairs a committee.[2] The committees change frequently, but titles include Advancement, Public Relations, Properties, Rehearsal Room - Lounge & Transportation, Scholarship, Recruitment, Merchandise, Social Media, and Performance Preparation. The other two sirs are the chairman of the Sirs and the manager, who have oversight over the entire club. As well as heading the committees, they are responsible for various procedural matters. The Sirs wear gold and black ribbons on their full dress uniform.

The Purdusires is a parallel organization comprising outstanding administration, faculty and staff members.[2] This organization also has 9-12 members, individually assigned to each committee and acting as advisors and counselors to their respective Sirs and other Glee Club members. A Sire serves as someone with whom a Sir or other Glee Club member interacts through many varied activities, both formal and informal.

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