May 16, 2008

Purdue Varsity Glee Club to embark on South African tour

The group will mix performances and sightseeing during the trip, which will be split between Cape Town, Kruger National Park and Johannesburg.

"South Africa is an interesting country with wonderful cities and scenery, friendly people, fabulous animals and perhaps most importantly, a history that offers many life lessons about respect, diversity, equality and society," said Thomas B. Robinson, vice president for student services. "Purdue is very proud of the long and rich tradition of the glee club, and we look forward to this marvelous opportunity for our students to share their talent and enthusiasm on the African continent."

The first four days of the tour will be spent in Cape Town, where students will cruise by a catamaran to Robben Island, the former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated from 1964-82. The group also will visit St. George's Cathedral, Signal Hill and tour the Cape Peninsula.

The students will perform a short, informal concert at the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and a concert at the Cape Town City Hall with special musical guests, the Red Dazzlers.

"Our mission is to leave a positive, lasting impression everywhere we go and to build the reputation of Purdue University," said Adam Nagy, student manager of the glee club and a senior in the College of Liberal Arts from Indianapolis. "We hope to connect and build relationships with other singing groups and students."

While spending four days at Kruger National Park, students will have the opportunity to go on six safari game drives led by experienced guides in open vehicles. They will have a chance to see a variety of wildlife including lions, elephants, rhinoceros, cape buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, crocodiles, antelope, hippos and hyenas. The group members will perform a concert at the outdoor amphitheater in Skuzuza Rest Camp during their stay.

The final three days of the trip will be spent in Johannesburg, where students will take a tour of Pretoria City, a trip to the Apartheid Museum in Soweto, visits to the homes of Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and a farewell dinner at Moyo Melrose Arch. The students' last concert is at Linder Auditorium.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Steve Schlenk, Purdue Musical Organizations communications specialist, (765) 496-6091, sschlenk@purdue.edu

Thomas B. Robinson, (765) 494-5776, trobinson@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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