South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-05
Notre Dame GLee Club in
Front Rank Although it Has
Been Organized Only One Year

Why is it that the Notre Dame
university Glee club. an organization
yet in its infancy, is on a par with the
leading college ciubs of the country?
How is it that a university with only
500 students enrolled in the college
courses can present an organization
that is placed by critics in a rank
with schools boasting of an enroll
ment Of 5000 and 5000 students?
The secret of success IS excellent
dictatorship, natural voices, hearty
cooperation, consistent practice and
a get together" .pirit among the
club members.
NOtre Danes first Glee club was
organized last year and the organiza-
ton and success of the club were
due to the efforts of the remark
able Ward Perrott," as he was term
ed by Rev. John Cavanaugh, c. s. c..
president of the university and TO
the cooperation OF the members of
the club
Mr. Perrott had attended Notre
Dame for two years, but during the
year 1914-1915 he was a student at
Harvard. While at Harvard. he was
leading first tenor in the Glee club
of the great eastern university. He
returned to Notre Dame last year 10
complete his course in law and
after a consultation with members
Of the university faculty, PerroJt,
who, by the way, is the son of the
chief of police of Indianapolis, is
sued call for candidates for mem
bership in the Glee club The first
call was responded to by a large
number of students. After a thor
Ough, patient wedding out" pro-
cess, the club was reduced TO its
permanent size and public concerts
were begun. The first appearance
of the organization was made at
Notre Dame and from then on
throughout the scholastic year, the
club continued to improve. During
the year. performances were given
at indianapolis. Michigan City,
NIishawaka, Fort Wayne, st. Joseph.
Mich, Dowagiac, Mich, and other
western cities, and hearty appreciz-
ton was manifested by the various
audiences.
Name New Leader.
Upon the graduation OF Perrott
last June. the question of leadership
for this season came up and the
honor fell to Hugh O'DOnnen, a
first tenor on the club last year and
a member Of the university quartet.
And Mr. O'Donnell has enjoyed re-
markable success as director of the
organization. But Mr.. PerrOtt has
not lost his interest in the club. He
now serves as graduate director and
he makes weekly trips here from
his home in indianapolis TO assist
Mr.. O'Donnell in perfecting the sing
ing Of the chorus
In addition to the ensemble work
of the club. the organization pre-
sents a variety Of numbers. In the
first place, there is the mandolin
club which was directed by De
Wald Mcdonald last season and
which is in charge of George
OLoughlin this year Then there
are numerous specialties. including
the university quartet, with is com
posed of Hugh O'DOnnell. James
Hays. Leslie Yeager and Harry Burt;
the inimitable Harry Scott and
Charles McCauley in their act. Ten
Minutes of Ragtime;" Jose Corona.
the Spanish tenor. in vocal selec-
tions; John L. Riley in new sing
ing act. Harry Denny in violin solos.
and Emmett Lenihan in readings.
As an added feature, the club car
ries its own orchestra. which is di-
rected by Howard r. Parker The
orchestra is believed TO be the best
i'm the history OF Notre Dame and il
has proved a valuable adjunct TO
the Glee club.
Furnish Variety OF Music.
Almost every variety of music is
furnished by the club. the mandolin
organizations and the specialties.
The majority Of the ensemble num-
bers are exceedingly difficult as.
for example. The Soldiers Chorus
from the opera Faust" but the
club also has songs Of a lighter ma
ture. Musical comedy hits and rag
time are well presented 10y the quar-
tet. Scott and McCauley the mando-
lin club and Mr.. Riley. Mr.. Corona,
the nephew of former Pres't Madero
OF Mexico. delivers his country's fav-
orite songs in "A delightful manner
and Mr.. Denny plays both classical
and popular airs ON his violin. Mr..
Parker. the club accompanies is an
excellent pianist and his work has
much 10 do with the organization :
success Rehearsals are held at
least once and often twice daily.
The only appearance of the club
in South Bend last season was at the
Indiana club. The organization
sang al the Ad-SeI league banquet
al the oliver hotel last Tuesday