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Center Stage: Glee Club Camp - Day 5
Friday, August 19, 2011
Freshman Clint Buechler helps out as the Properties committee removes equipment from the week's rehearsal room.
The newly assigned Properties committee wheels in to the camp's performance hall.
It's time to set up the risers again!
Assistant Director Ted Arthur prepares Senior Peter Carroll to play drums for the afternoon.
The gentlemen finalize positions on the risers and rehearse one last time.
Freshman Seun Onabanjo gets to try his hand at his first Glee Club solo.
After finishing morning rehearsal, the men have one last lunch in Camp Tecumseh's dining hall.
Several special guests showed up to share lunch with the Glee Club. Among them were longtime supporter of PMO Kathryn Lorenz and new PMO Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Autumn Bucy.
After lunch, Senior Josh Ghetto gets in character for his specialty, Flashbacks, to perform!
The camp show begins as the gentlemen run in, surrounding the audience in song.
The gentlemen take a powerful stance in Ted Arthur's new original song, "America, We Arise!"
Freshman Matt Wildrick handles his first Glee Club run-out with a smile.
Flashbacks takes the stage to their rendition of "Never Gonna Give You Up."
The Glee Club debuts another new song, "Unbelievable."
At the end of the Glee Club's set, the Purduettes run in to join the men in PMO's theme song, "There Will Always Be a Song."
Sophomore Bryce Schaffer mingles with friends and family after the show.
Outside the venue, the men sing a special birthday song to one of the audience members.
After the audience leaves and the buses are loaded, the men are excited to see the tradition for Newmen to carry the student managers to the nearest river and toss them in.
Manager Tim Harris and Assistant Manager Simon May stand soaking yet proud of the Newmen for a successful camp week.
They say that Glee Club is a family. That is exactly what I needed when I started my college adventure at Purdue. I had just left my high school family behind to begin a new chapter in my life and I knew I wanted to be a part of something as special and tight-knit as the Purdue Varsity Glee Club from the first time I saw them perform. Today, I experienced just that. Even though I had spent an entire week with the gentlemen of the Glee Club, I felt like I was an outsider getting to look in on something incredible. It didn't hit me until today that I have been given the priveledge to be a part of that. And for that I am so grateful. We performed for the first time as an entire ensemble today. Using some new songs as well as some crowd favorites, we were able to please the parents and guests that were in the audience. When I was on stage, I could hardly contain my excitement. It took every ounce of energy I had not to explode from nervousness, happiness, and sheer intimidation that I was singing alongside such talented people. Being a part of this group is the best feeling in the world. After today, I no longer feel like just a new-man; I feel like a Glee-Clubber. And I am ready for everything this year has in store.
In Song,
Ryan Straut