A history of harmony: 150 years of Men’s Glee Club

Charlie Thacker was 11 years old when he plopped into a seat in Weigel Auditorium for a concert by the Ohio State Men’s Glee Club. He spotted his father, Dana Thacker ’95, ’05 MBA, on stage decked out in a scarlet jacket. Charlie knew his father loved to sing—Dana often burst into song in random stores or pizza parlors—but Charlie preferred band. He had no interest in chorus. None.

Then the 75 men began singing “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” a barbershop arrangement of a gospel song. “I heard beautiful wide chords ringing through the auditorium. It sounded like a thousand voices singing,” Charlie recalls. “Words can’t do justice to how moved I was. I had no idea a choir could ever sound like that.”

The club’s impact has been reverberating across campus almost since Ohio State’s founding. One of the oldest student organizations, it started simple, with a small group of men forming a glee club, and evolved into an internationally acclaimed ensemble that can bring people to tears, stir school spirit, even inspire romance, depending on the lyrics and melody.

Today, the club is directed by Robert Ward, associate professor and director of choral studies at Ohio State. Ward marvels at the group’s tenacity. “The Men’s Glee Club has survived two world wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and two pandemics,” Ward says. “There’s been every reason for the club to crater, but it hasn’t.”

In addition to entertaining Ohio State audiences, the club has sung across the United States and Europe. In 1910, members performed under the baton of John Philip Sousa. In 1957, they sang on national television, and in 1990, they won Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, under the direction of then-Professor Jim Gallagher ’68 MA.

The glee club is marking its 150th anniversary with a January concert at Lincoln Center in New York. They’ll sing pieces as varied as a song from the “Slumdog Millionaire” soundtrack and “Ave Maria” by German composer Franz Biebl. The club will perform in April in Columbus with alumni, including Tim Best ’70, ’72 MA, ’81 PhD. He can’t wait to join his “brothers in song.”

“It’s the camaraderie of being together, of singing together and being a part of that sound,” he says. “You don’t get that many places. It’s magic.” Best wants to ensure the tradition continues, and so as president of the glee club’s alumni society, he leads fundraising efforts and organizes reunions every other year.

Over time, he has witnessed several changes, including the group’s dress code, which has ranged from tuxedos to scarlet and gray plaid pants in the ’70s. “I don’t know whose idea that was,” Best says. The club’s music also reflects the era. “During the Vietnam War, we ended our concerts with ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home,’” Best says. “It’s a very powerful tune.” These days, the glee club often concludes with songs to stir school spirit, including “Carmen Ohio,” penned by club member Fred Cornell in 1902 or 1903.

While fashion and songs change, one thing remains constant: a commitment to performing high-quality music. Members must audition for a spot and attend rehearsals three times a week, where Ward, the director for 20 years, teaches them to read music—84 percent of members are not music majors. “You’ll see virtually every college, every academic offering represented in our group,” Ward says.

Current members include Charlie Thacker—the same Charlie who attended his father’s concert in 2015. That night, he decided to quit band, join his school’s choir and set his sights on the Ohio State Men’s Glee Club. He’s now in his third year with the group and is a finance major.

“Dr. Ward runs a tight ship, but rehearsals are very light,” Charlie says. The men gather around the piano played by longtime accompanist Casey Cook. “People like to have fun. It’s a very loving culture.”

Brandon Newbright has experienced that love—twice. He sang in the club for a few years but had to drop out of school in 2017. After he re-enrolled, he was crossing the Oval one day when he spotted Ward, who called out to him, “Mr. Newbright!”

“That blew my mind,” Newbright says. “I hadn’t seen Dr. Ward in six years. He said, ‘I know things left off a bit rough, but if you want to audition for the Men’s Glee Club, I think we could find a home for you.’ That was incredibly meaningful to me.”

Charlie is excited to sing at Lincoln Center, where his father, Dana, also performed with the club in 2016. Dana won’t be on stage this time, but father and son have sung together at alumni reunions. “We always stand next to each other,” Charlie says.

Dana is grateful he and his son can share such a timeless experience. “The essence of the glee club, in terms of what it means to Ohio State and what it means to those who sing in it, has remained consistent since 1875,” he says. “It’s such a rich musical experience, and it’s a brotherhood—a group of committed, talented people who become lifelong friends.”