The Purdue Varsity Glee Club in concert at Winamac

"The Purdue Varsity Glee Club is still No. 1 glee club in the country."

- Erich Kunzel, conductor
of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

By Karen Clem Fritz

WINAMAC - In their first visit to Pulaski County in many years, the internationally-acclaimed Purdue Varsity Glee Club spent the day in Winamac Sunday, Oct. 1, performing to enthusiastic audiences at the Methodist Church and in a public concert at Winamac Community High School.

The public event was sponsored by the Winamac Music Boosters.

For more than 100 years, the 60-plus men of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club have made Purdue proud with their voice, charisma, high standard of academics and performance excellence.

Director Brian Breed leads the Glee Club and the Methodist congregation in a hymn.

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club travels extensively. People around the world want their sound, dapper good looks and crisp professionalism. The Glee Club has inspired audiences during nine European tours. They've touched people in Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, China and their most recent international tour (2005) to the United Kingdom.

These men have stirred hearts from legendary stages such as the Crystal Cathedral and Carnegie Hall and performed at five presidential inaugurations. They've worked with Skitch Henderson, Marvin Hamlisch, and most recently Garrison Keillor during a broadcast of his internationally known live radio variety show, A Prairie Home Companion.

Among the Glee Club's members is sophomore Matthew White of Winamac, a 2005 graduate of Winamac Community High School and the son of John and Claudia White. This year Matt is also a new member of the "Voiceovers," one of the Glee Club's specialty groups. Members these groups are hand-picked by the director and become soloists and members of three-to-five person ensembles. They are chosen for their skill, shine and intensity and are professionally coached by the staff to represent Purdue's finest musicians. Extra time and commitment are required to be a member of one of the PMO Specialty groups. The performers must radiate a soaring work ethic and an unstoppable musical affection.

Winamac’s Matt White thrills his hometown audience with the solo Ole’ Man River.

The Purdue Varsity Glee Club is directed by Brian Breed, a globally recognized choral conductor and music educator. He is also director of Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO). His extensive experience and dedication to musical excellence keep him in constant demand as a music consultant, clinician and guest conductor throughout the U.S.

The Glee Club is a featured group in the annual Purdue Christmas Show, begun in 1933. The production is an Indiana treasure now enjoyed throughout the world. Breed is only the fourth director/producer of the Christmas Show since its inception. Under his leadership, the annual PMO Christmas Show is performed for a live audience of 36,000 and for millions through broadcasts on public television stations and international radio networks. (This year's Christmas Show will be Dec. 8, 9, 10. Ticket information is available here.)

Breed's mission is to bring positive recognition and honor to Purdue University through quality performances and effective ambassadorship. This is accomplished by his commitment to getting the best from his student performers. He continually challenges them to realize their potential, and "to leave the audience better than when we found them."

“Ba-na-na’s” Levi Riggs of North Salem is also known as the Glee Club’s “Johnny Cash.”	Brian King of Lafayette wows the audience with the solo I Believe.

From classical to contemporary, gospel to show tunes, the Glee Club's broad repertoire allows them to "custom-fit" performances for diverse audiences. The Purdue Varsity Glee Club masterfully beckons audiences to leave day-to-day lives and float away on a tapestry of music.

The Winamac Music Boosters organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of music and arts education for the students of the Eastern Pulaski Schools, and to the promotion music, drama and arts events. Membership is open to any interested community member. The Music Boosters meet at 7 p.m., the second Tuesday of every month, in the high school band room.

To learn more about the
Winamac Music Boosters contact:

Connie Jamison, president
Steve Miller, vice president
c/o Winamac Community High School
574-946-6151

The guys eagerly await lunch served by the Methodist Women.	The PVGC members express their thanks through song to the kitchen staff.

Glee Club members greet the congregation as they leave the church.	Ba-na-na's Chris Myers of Ft. Lauderdale thanks Music Boosters president Connie Jamieson.	Eric Van Houten of Carmel serenades an audience member during the Glee Club's traditional "run-out" song.

Director Brian Breed proves he's willing to help mow a little lawn (here with Lisa Reidelbach) across the street from the church ...	... or pick a few rows of corn (here with accompanist Jay Bailey) at the Fritz Farm picnic.

At a picnic following the concert, the Glee Club members were delighted with the locally famous Schultz's Sandwiches.	At the end of a long day, the guys enjoyed a chance to relax.

Purdue Varsity Glee Club October 1, 2006 - Winamac, Ind.

To learn more about Purdue Musical Organizations, visit: www.pmojo.com

To obtain a DVD of the Winamac concert, contact:
Memories Captured
574-946-6986

Thank you to the concert sponsors: Bennett Insurance & Realty, Braun Corporation,
Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Crop Fertility Specialists, Inc., Deans Foods, 1st Source Bank,
GalFab, Inc., Good Oil Company, Kewanna Metal Specialties, Inc., Knights of Columbus, Winamac,
Plymouth Tube Company, The Schwan Food Company, Tippecanoe Beverages, Inc.,
Webb Printing, Winamac Coil Spring, Inc.

Some materials and photos provided by PMO
Steve Schlenk, assistant to director
Peter Tarrant, webmaster