The University Glee Club of New York City formally organized in 1894 with a purpose to "encourage male-voice singing of the highest excellence."
Only five distinguished conductors have led the UGC since its inception. Past members included distinguished individuals from the arts, government, science, and business who take time every week to join voices with their brothers in song.
Performances: Member concerts are in the Spring and Winter of each year performed by active members for retired actives, associate members, and guests. Music features include selections from a broad variety of musical genres. Additional concert activities, performances, and other events take place throughout the year (see the UGC calendar).
Club rehearsals are weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters on Thursday evenings starting at 6:45pm. Associate members are welcome to attend rehearsals, "afterglows," the annual SummerFest, Joe's Night and other club activities.
Candidates for active singing membership should attend initial rehearsals for consideration. Candidates must successfully complete a voice tryout. (See auditions.)
Semi-annual concerts are generally performed in either Avery Fisher Hall or Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall. Benefit concerts for a variety of charities and church organizations are also performed each year. During the Christmas season of 1994 as part of its Centennial Celebration, the Club performed for the President of the United States at the White House in Washington, D.C.
International Club Tours: five International Concert Tours include singing in England and Wales in 1987; Denmark, Sweden and Norway, in 1989; Germany and Austria in 1992; Ireland and Scotland in 1996 and Northern Italy in 1999 and during the Summer of 2002, the Club traveled and performed in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
The repertoire of the Club includes traditional, sacred, secular and classical music as well as spirituals, folk and contemporary songs in the American tradition. College and Student songs are also an important component of the Club's tradition.