Reflections on 1,000 Songs

The email announcement from PMO caused a huge uptick in traffic and activity from alumni and friends. Due to recent contributions from Joe Martin, Paul Royer, Chris Rininger, Bill McGaughey, and Jeff Boice, hundreds of new tracks have been uploaded to the database.

With the site officially announced, here are some observations about how (and from where) the site is being used:

1) What part of Indiana (or the US) do ya’ come from?

While most of the traffic was close by the Wabash, site visitors span the country. Top cities:

1. Indianapolis
2. Washington DC
3. West Lafayette
4. Chicago
5. Lafayette
6. Carmel
7. Columbus

2) Top Ten Songs Downloaded/Played

(as of September 10, 2011)

( # hits, title)

1. 924, He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, Tiek
2. 744, So Many Voices Sing America’s Song, Tedja
3. 402, Wim O Wey, Lipp
4. 230, Holy Ground, Kober
5. 194, Spirit Flower, Denny Lipp
6. 131, Christmas Tidings
7. 122, Battle_Hymn_Of_The_Republic_1.mp3
8. 112, I Want The Lord To Be Near
9. 94, Twas the Night Before Christmas
10. 78, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas

3) We get letters!

The following are a few comments from clubbers, spouses and family:

(Re: I Am The Nation) This song was the standard closing to Glee Club concerts in the 60s when I was an active member. It was usually followed by an abreviated version of the “Battle Hymn” starting with “in the beauty of the Lillies, etc”. One of the concerts in 1964 was a political dinner in a small town in Indiana. For this concert, Al added the name “Dwight D. Eisenhower” to the narration. Ike was at the dinner and when he heard his name, the turned around with a great big grin. (clubber)

Thank you for creating the PVGC music database! I’m listening to them now…with tear! Such great memories from such a special season in life!! (spouse)

What am amazing job you are doing… thanks so much. My dad was Mickey McGuire (PVGC ’49) Grad Assistant/Assistant to the Director/Assistant Director/Associate Director of PMO and Director of the Purduettes (’49 -’84) He was in charge of making recordings of all PMO performances in the 60’s-70’s… many on the portable Wollensak reel-to-reel recorder … he would be so thrilled to see all this material available to the PMO family. I was in the University Choir (theatre major and Glee Club scheules did not mix) and performed as Scrooge in the STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN at the Christmas show in 1969… the year PMO did 6 shows in 4 days (I think that is right for the first time)… Thanks again. (son)

I believe it is my brother with the high solo in the Wim O Wey song from 1962. Dennis D. Lipp. I know he was famous for that song and could sing so high that window glass would tremble. This brought tears to my eyes. He passed away in 2001. (sibling)

4) It took me 1000 songs to encounter Pelty

Lee Pelty, known on the Glee Club Hall of Fame wall as Isaac Peltynovich, was always a Clubber I wondered about. He stood out as Colon, Panama was his hometown on his Hall of Fame photo. He went on to an illustrious career as a Broadway performer in Chicago. I found his 2009 obit on the Chicago Tribune website. (worth a read!) His son Adam was also in the Glee Club and has had a career in the arts ever since. Listen to songs by Isaac and Adam. I’m sure more Pelty recordings are yet to be discovered.

5) Some things never change

The following is a brief list of songs that have made repeat appearances across the decades, ranked by occurences (and exempting Hail Purdue)

• Battle Hymn of the Republic, 16
• Ave Maria, 15
• Thanks Be to God, 11
• Let There Be Music, 10
• Gaudeamus Igitur, 10
• Spirit Immortal, 9
• Just a Closer Walk With Thee, 9
• Mississippi Squirrel Revival, 8
• Prayer from Lohengrin, 8
• Brothers in Song Sing On, 8

6) The directors speaking is as interesting as the music

• Impromptu, Al invites 14 year-old Jeanie Kim Wicks to sing The Lord’s Prayer. Kim Wicks later performed regularly for Billy Graham.
• Brian forgets Chris Myers wasn’t in the Glee Club for the China trip while introducing You’ll Never Walk Alone
• Bill Allen endures an End of Season prank during I Write The Songs

7) The accompanists are/were amazing. (no surprise to any Glee Clubbers)

• Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Jay Bailey
• Tchaikovsky, Theme Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23, Bill Luhman
• The Begat, DeDe Thompson
• Pilgrim’s Chorus, Alan Bogovich

8) There’s a LOT of Vinyl

PVGCDB currently has sixteen digitized records in the vinyl section. I’ve mined eBay for everything I could find. Volunteers, such as Craig and Cris Muir, sent me a box with six more.

Until next time, Hail Purdue!

Paul

Commentary

Paul, great job on this website/Database! Love that you’re doing this, and here’s hoping a regular army of PMO folk join in on the fun!  JB

Jeff Boice on 9/13/2021 from Salem, Indiana

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