Former Glee Club Director Richard Bowen talks with Rob Shook '83 before rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rob Shook '83 talks to an old friend before rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Not only have alumni come from out of state for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion, some come from out of the country! Pictured from left: Dr. Richard Bowen, Howard Bailey '06, Greg Priester '06 (who flew in from South Korea!), and Chris Jackson '06.
The sunset rests on Dr. Bowen's face while he begins rehearsal.
Sam Surgalski '18 warms up next to Associate Professor of Religion David Blix '70.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion. Left to Right: Dexter Snyder ’64 and Christopher Barker ’20.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion. Left: Chris Bojrab ’89 and Andy Shepherd ’04.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion. Left to Right: Quan Chau ’20, Philip Young ‘65, John Fox ‘64
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion. Photo: Fr. Royce Gregerson ’09
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion. Left to Right: Inbum Lee ’16 and Walker Hedgepath ’19
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion.
Who knew singing could bring about so much laughter? Left to Right: John Fox ’64 and Sam Vaught ’15.
Rehearsals begin for the Wabash Glee Club 125th Reunion. Left to Right: Zack Thompson, Teddy Lupinski ‘20, Quan Chau ’20, Philip Young ‘65
As the last notes of A Parting Blessing floated through a sold-out Knowling Fieldhouse and the Wabash Glee Club’s 125th Anniversary Reunion Concert came to a close, it was hard to tell who enjoyed the performance more: the audience or the performers.
Certainly, the standing ovation from the nearly 600 in attendance on Sept. 30 was well earned, but the smiles of satisfaction on the faces of the more than 150 current and former Glee Club members were practically worth the price of admission.
“This was a great thing to feel that wonderful spirit I experienced when I was a member of the Glee Club,” said James Hand ’74. “Someone said there were seven generations of Wabash represented on those risers, and it’s rewarding to be a part of it.”
Running through a list 18 songs, the unified 125th anniversary choral grouping displayed musical ability well beyond their three rehearsals together. For some who hadn’t sung in years, the musical chops quickly returned.
“Music was my artistic expression,” said Rob Fleming ’84. “I actually miss it. It’s been really good to be back this weekend. I have not sung in a group since I graduated, and it came back like riding a bike. I’ve had a really good time singing and reconnecting with fellow Glee Clubbers. This weekend has been a real blessing.”
For NAWM president and Glee Club alumnus Rob Shook ’83, the reverberations were memorable.
“The sound of 150 voices on stage,” he said, “you just get chills from that. It’s exciting to come back and sing, and we knew this would be something special.”