The tradition, talent, brotherhood of the Miami Glee Club

For over 100 years, the Miami University Men’s Glee Club has stood as a symbol of art, expression and brotherhood in Oxford. Founded in 1907, the club boasts a rich history, as well as providing hope and resources for its continued success.

Growing up in the surrounding area and having a club alumnus for a father meant Aaron Wanko, senior games and simulation major, spent a lot of time watching the Glee Club perform. Wanko said he recalls his awe watching the club sing from a balcony.

“It just, it really captured me,” he said, “like how good they sounded and how much fun it looked like they were having.”

Now serving as the club’s vice president, he helps with both the recruitment process and welcoming new members.

The club makes travel a priority, going on a domestic tour every winter, an international tour every other May and a myriad of events in between. Bradley Beck, current president of the club and Cincinnati Reds fan, said that one of his best memories was on Miami Night at the Great American Ball Park, when the club was invited to sing the national anthem on the field before the game.

Despite their ballpark appearances and balcony shows, the thing that stands out the most about the Miami Glee Club is that it is home to one of Miami’s strongest alumni networks.

Beck, a psychology major working toward a master’s degree in social work, said he credits Lee Fisher, the club’s advisory board liaison project manager, for connecting him with a mentor.

“[Fisher’s] very involved in Miami University. He has connected me with a mentor who is a professor of psychology and social work at the University of Cincinnati, and I have been able to shadow that professor just through Glee Club, so many cool opportunities,” Beck said.

Milin Rajan, a senior political science major, said he never expected the club to be able to help him with his future career.

“I was in [Washington], D.C., this summer – interning – and I was a part of the men’s Glee Club,” Rajan said. “People would say, ‘Oh my God, I love the Glee Club’... it goes beyond just being part of an organization.”

Rajan got the chance to work one-on-one with a mentor, learning new skills and building connections with a Kroger executive. The club also just recently hit over $1 million across its endowment funds, with the money being put towards scholarships, new member fees, tours and more.

Brotherhood is also a big part of the club, and it is instilled in new members from the very beginning. As the vice president, Wanko is in charge of teaching members the traditionals — songs sung at the end of every concert and therefore not practiced with the whole group — club history and icebreaker activities. He also helps the new members make a skit poking fun at the older members.

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Rajan said the support from members in non-club-related activities is strong.

“Whatever you are doing outside the club as well,” Rajan said, “you have a group that will support you when you do that.”

The club is a big commitment, as it is a credited course. It meets three times a week: Mondays from 6:15-7:35 p.m., as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50-4:10 p.m. Apart from the required meeting times, members have plenty of opportunities to get more involved, including an exciting surprise the club plans to announce in the spring.

“I’m all in on Glee Club, you know,” Beck said. “It’s my life.”

Despite the intense requirements, Beck and the rest of the executive board understand that members have all ranges of commitment, and the team works to cater to all levels of involvement.

Members hold the club near and dear to their hearts, and many have expressed a desire to come back and see future members grow and sing. Wanko, much like he did as a child, looks forward to coming back, now as an alumnus, to watch performances.

“It’s such an unparalleled experience,” Wanko said.

Beck, who also plans on coming back to see the future of the club, said to anyone considering joining the club to make the leap and do it.

“Joining Glee Club is the best decision you can make as a [first year] at Miami,” he said.

hannaer@miamioh.edu