UGC Announcements
UGC Spring Concert Season
Starting January 15th, 2018.
Men Like to Sing? Sing with Us!
The University Glee Club of New Haven is an all-male chorus looking for new members as we prepare for our concert to take place in May, 2018.
We are a non-audition group singing with the rich blend of men's voices: Tenor I, Tenor II, Baritone and Bass.
Our feel good repertoire ranges from Glees to Classical to Broadway and more.
Call 203-248-8515 for more information.
University Glee Club of New Haven
Spurred by the nostalgia of group singing in World War I and memories of
college glee club days, an all-male chorus was established in New Haven in
December, 1924. Under the direction of Yale Music Director Marshall
Bartholomew, the group quickly mushroomed and received rave reviews in
the local newspapers.
Over the years, the singing group idea flourished and so did the University Glee Club. Today, we are considered the oldest independent men's glee club in the country!
The Glee Club is a rich blend of men's voices: Tenor I, Tenor II, Baritone and Bass. We meet once per week, and along with a professional accompanist, rehearse a wide variety of choral music.
In 1948, after 24 years of directing the four-part harmony group, Mr Bartholomew retired from Yale and the UGC. He passed the baton to the then director of the Yale Glee Club, Fenno Heath. Heath directed us until his retirement in 1986. During his distinguished tenure, the Club performed at many different venues with several famous soloists, glee clubs and choruses.
Brothers In Song
UGC has been part of the fabric of New Haven's musical life since 1924. Learn more about how the University Glee Club started and its musical history as compiled by Elliott G. Barske, a long-time member and historian of UGC.
You can also read historical highlights of the UGC, compiled by Merritt Cleaver, UGC member.
The University Glee Club's third director, Mark Dollhopf, Yale Class of 1977, is an alumnus of Yale's fine musical traditions, including its Glee Club and the Whiffenpoofs. Ethan Nash was the fourth director. A 1997 graduate of Yale, Ethan majored in music and received his PhD at the prestigious Hartt School of Music. Our fifth director, Kevin Buno, received his undergraduate degree from the College of Saint Rose and a master's degree from the University of Connecticut. Lars Gjerde, our sixth director, received music degrees from Augustana College and Edvard Grieg Academy in Bergen, Norway, and a Master's and PhD from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York
Robert Strebendt received his Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Yale University.
He is a multifaceted musician focused in conducting, singing, teaching, and composition.
Mr. Strebendt the founding artistic director of the Whitney Center Chorale, and also served on the faculty at Wesleyan University
where he directed the Collegium Musicum, an early vocal music chamber ensemble.
Mr. Strebendt is a voice instructor at Yale University and The Hopkins School, as well as a general music and choir teacher at Ezra academy.
Mr. Strebendt is excited to be conducting the University Glee Club of New Haven.