HIGHLIGHTING: ALL-CAMPUS & COMMUNITY CHORALE | HEART & SOUL | PURDUE BELLS | PURDUE VARSITY GLEE CLUB | PURDUETTES | UNIVERSITY CHOIR A PUBLICATION FROM PURDUE MUSICAL Yours in Song ORGANIZATIONS 2019 WINTER Santa Claus takes a ‘giant leap’ in the 85th annual Purdue Christmas Show. Dear Friends, This year brought I believe that participation in all of the reason why they sing with us — as a many opportunities our PMO ensembles complements a complement to their academic studies to celebrate some world-class Purdue education and our at Purdue. milestone anniver- graduates continually attest to this fact. saries, including the In an increasingly competitive world, PMO is proud to offer music as a way to Glee Club 125th the skills that our students learn – time recruit talented young people — all of Anniversary and the management, respect, teamwork and the whom will study something other than 85th Anniversary ability to connect with strangers, to name music — to attend Purdue University. of the Christmas Show and founding of a few – will differentiate them from their Since 2012, PMO has awarded $2,027,000 Purdue Musical Organizations. With each peers. This is a hallmark of participation in in scholarships to 892 students, and anniversary, of which PMO has had PMO ensembles and I hope to continue to the number of scholarship recipients many, inevitably the thought of “what’s offer these powerful “out of the classroom” continues to grow every year. next?” arises. learning opportunities to our students. We are incredibly thankful for our I believe that the past, in and of itself, is The data shows that our PMO students generous alumni and supporters who have not a destination but rather a context- exceed academic expectations not in spite made all of our achievements possible. As finding tool to work toward a bright future. of but because of what they do here in a program, PMO relies on the support of We owe it to the giants upon whose Bailey Hall and when they are traveling our alumni and friends for more than 50 shoulders we stand to continually grow with their ensembles. The 2017-18 Purdue percent of our annual operating budget. and innovate so that this organization can undergraduate grade point average was You are truly the difference makers for us continue to operate with excellence for 3.03. The PMO grade point average last and we are incredibly grateful. another 125 years. With this in mind, I’d semester was 3.33. Our students graduate As we begin the New Year and our like to share a few thoughts for the future within four years at a rate that exceeds students return for another exciting of Purdue Musical Organizations. the Purdue average and are increasingly semester, I invite you to connect with us involved in other first-rate organizations It is a dream of mine to have PMO and and stay engaged in all that is happening on campus, such as Mortar Board, Phi here at PMO. Our door is always open, and Bailey Hall be a hub of arts education for Beta Kappa and Old Masters. the entire Greater Lafayette community. we hope to see you soon! In the coming years, I hope to create All of these achievements speak to the Hail Purdue! after-school and summer programming ability of this program to encourage for young people. I would love to have academic success, which most certainly a summer camp that culminates with a leads to success in life. I would like to find musical and to involve our students in even more opportunities to support our William E. Griffel that process. students academically, because that is Director of Purdue Musical Organizations the Butler Chorale and Butler Symphony Orchestra. New Faces Join PMO Staff In his spare time, Stensberg served the broader arts community of Indianapolis by performing with many Last summer, PMO was thrilled to welcome local choirs and theatre groups. two new faces to the staff: Jake Stensberg and According to Stensberg, his favorite part about working Jenny Grayless. with students is the rehearsals. “I love learning, growing, A 2016 graduate of Butler University’s choral openness, laughter and yes, even mistakes. Rehearsals conducting master’s program, Jake Stensberg are just a garden of great moments, and I love when serves as the Assistant Director and specialty coach students are able to conquer new challenges, work as a for the Purduettes and University Choir, as well team, support each other and share both the joys and as the Director of the All-Campus & Community hardships together.” Jake Stensberg Chorale and PMO Kids Choir. Stensberg has already made a positive impact on PMO Before joining the PMO staff in July, Stensberg students and looks forward to meeting members of served as the Butler University graduate assistant the extended PMO ‘family.’ He says, “If you come to a in music theory and ear training and conducted performance, please introduce yourself.” 2 85th Annual Purdue Christmas Show Takes “Giant Leaps” The 85th annual Purdue Christmas Show took “giant leaps” as PMO celebrated the University’s 150th Anniversary. In honor of the Purdue Sesquicentennial Celebration, this production featured legendary icons who used their Purdue experience as a launchpad for success and helped pave the way for future generations of Boilermakers. Notable characters including John Purdue, Albert P. Stewart, Amelia Earhart and Neil Armstrong entertained more than 18,000 enthusiastic patrons in the Elliott Hall of Music. More than 300 student and community performers showcased their talents during four weekend performances on Dec. 1-2. Audience members THANK YOU, were wowed by Santa’s surprise CORPORATE PARTNERS moon landing entrance during the Act I closing number and celebrated GOLD LEVEL the spirit of the season with sacred Journal & Courier carols during the Act II Cantata. Purdue Federal Credit Union PMO thanks all who attended Reindeer Shuttle and invites you to join us as we The National Group celebrate the 86th annual Purdue SILVER LEVEL Christmas Show on Dec. 7-8, 2019! Beaux Cheveux Styling Salon Purdue Alumni Association EMERALD LEVEL Burkhart Advertising Purdue Center for Cancer Research New Faces Join PMO Staff Jenny Grayless joined PMO as the new Account Clerk in June. Rubia Flower Market Although she may be new to PMO, Grayless is already familiar St. Thomas Aquinas with Purdue. Before joining the PMO staff, Grayless served as the Catholic Center Account Clerk for the Elliott Hall of Music and continues to split The Union Club Hotel her time between Bailey Hall and the Hall of Music. RUBY LEVEL An active mother of three boys, Grayless devotes her free time to Duke Energy watching her sons’ sporting events, participating in 4-H activities Goetz Auctions, LLC and spending time with family and friends.“Everyone has been so Homecare by Design welcoming,” says Grayless. “I am so excited to be a part of the staff Subaru of Indiana and look forward to new experiences with PMO.” Automotive, Inc. MEDIA PARTNERS Please join us in welcoming Jake Stensberg and Jenny Grayless to Jenny Grayless Comcast the PMO staff! WBAA WLFI 3 Purdue Varsity Glee Club Commemorates 125 Years of Song Eight generations of Purdue Varsity Glee chest … like a wave of sound that gathers Club alumni gathered to celebrate the the listener up. It wasn’t nostalgia that ensemble’s 125th Anniversary in October. brought tears to my eyes. It was the sheer The historic weekend brought nearly beauty of participating in a group as one “Six words into 800 Glee Club alumni, PMO supporters body expressing an experience that only and friends together to remember the music could deliver.” the piece, and my past, honor the present and solidify a foundation for future generations of the As part of the 125th Anniversary Purdue Varsity Glee Club. Celebration, Glee Club alumni warmed up body suddenly their vocal chords and dusted off their tux Originally founded by Professor Cyrus tails to perform in the Alumni Anniversary knew the song. Dadswell in 1893, the Purdue Varsity Glee Concert in the Elliott Hall of Music on Club began as 11 men singing in their Saturday, Oct. 20. More than 350 Glee And that was director’s living room. Today, the Glee Club alumni joined together onstage to Club has grown to a group of more than sing with their fellow “brothers in song.” when I knew I 70 singers, traveling around the world as ambassadors for Purdue University. For “Six words into the piece, and my had come home.” many alumni, the weekend on campus body suddenly knew the song,” Russell was their first time returning to visit says, “And that was when I knew I had since graduation. come home.” Larry Russell Former Glee Club Directors William Allen, Glee Club ‘65 alumnus “I had not returned to the campus in more than 50 years since I graduated on that Brian Breed, and Dianne (DeDe) Mantock stage,” says Larry Russell, Glee Club ‘65 joined current PMO and Varsity Glee alumnus. “It’s not just the mind that Club Director William Griffel onstage to remembers. I felt the resonance in my conduct the chorus of alumni singers. 4 Dr. Albert P. Stewart Directorship Endowment Exceeds Expectations A momentous achievement of the Glee Club 125th GOAL Anniversary Celebration is the establishment of the Dr. Albert P. Stewart Directorship Endowment, $1,500,000 named for the irrepressible founder of Purdue Musical Organizations. Thanks to generous donations from PMO alumni and supporters, the endowment exceeded its fundraising goal of $1.5 million! Of the numerous donors who supported the directorship endowment, PMO would like to specially thank Jack Calhoun, whose incredibly generous contribution completed the endowment fundraising campaign.