Arts & Entertainment
Miami University Men's Glee Club Relishes 'Veiled Light' Release
Glee Club's first-ever professional recording provides a lasting memory for members.
BY ALEX McKEON
Miami University journalism student
The Miami University Men's Glee Club plans to follow up its first-ever recording with a second one in 2017.
The club -- created in 1907 by Raymond Burke, the composer of Miami's Fight Song and Alma Mater -- made headlines this year for releasing "Veiled Light," under the Albany Records Label. Released on Aug. 1, it was the first professional recording in the group's 109-year history.
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Conductor Jeremy Jones led the production of the album in May at Miami's Hall Auditorium, and the project was released to critical acclaim. The recording includes 13 works by living composers, five of which were written for Glee Club.
While the release was a historic one for the university, it was the culmination of hard work on the part of current members.
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T.J. Butler, a senior and member of the club's public relations team, said he will long remember "Veiled Light."
"It's one thing I can take with me for the rest of my life and say that I made this incredibly beautiful music with my best friends in the world," he said.
Club Vice President Kyle Wagoner appreciated producing a last product.
“To have that physical copy for other people in the world, to know about how hard we worked -- it means everything,” he said.
Tours ahead
After releasing "Veiled Light," Glee Club spent the semester hard at work preparing for performances. It staged a winter concert Dec. 2 and is now rehearsing for national and international tours.
“At the end of our winter break we will be going out for about a week and half, going to Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Cleveland,” said Wagoner.
Wagoner is also excited about an upcoming international tour that will take the club through Europe.
“We are spending a lot of time in Germany, and time in Salzburg, Austria,” said Wagoner. “It happens every three years, and I am one of the lucky ones who gets to go twice.”
Glee Club also plans on producing another record in the coming year.
Glee Club includes more than 100 Miami students from all majors, selected by audition. Its repertoire includes everything from Gregorian Chant and Renaissance motets to modern popular music, folksongs and spirituals.
Photo: "Veiled Light" includes 13 different works. -- Contributed photo