The UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club 

is one of the most beloved and active organizations
at the University of Northern Iowa.

The history of the Glee Club goes back to 1888. Two students of Iowa State Normal School, Charles Fullerton and his brother Robert, organized the I.S.N.S. Glee Club, during the 1888-1889 school year. Charles, who earned his degree at I.S.N.S. in 1890, returned to I.S.N.S. as a faculty member in 1897, and rose to become head of the department in 1909.

In 1893, the name of the group was changed to the Minnesingers Glee Club. They were known for their spectacular performances at the I.S.N.S. Baccalaureate ceremonies, literary society presentations, and benefit concerts. The group even went on tour in Iowa. Mr. Fullerton continued to play a central role in the Glee Club during his career at Iowa State Teacher’s College. The Minnesingers Glee Club sang as part of the program for laying the cornerstone of the Auditorium Building in 1900.

The Glee Club suspended activity after the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, but was reorganized in 1921 by William E. Hays. In 1924, the Glee Club presented a benefit performance to raise money for the Campanile to a full house in the Auditorium at the Spring Music Festival.

The Glee Club suspended activity again in 1941, after the U.S. entered World War II. Iowa State Teacher’s College went without a glee club for nearly 20 years.

On October 1, 1960, the UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club was re-established by Dr. Les Hale, when UNI was still the Iowa State Teacher's College.  The Glee Club's first Spring Concert was performed in Lang Hall Auditorium in 1961.  The Glee Club began producing and performing in the annual Christmas Variety Shows in 1978 in Russell Hall.  In 2000 the Glee Club moved to the 1500-seat Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.  To date, the Glee Club claims more sold out performances in the Great Hall than any other student or professional group.  The Glee Club has performed across the state of Iowa, throughout the Midwest, and around the world on tours, traveling internationally every other year since 1980 and performing in Austria, the Czech Republic, England, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and Wales.

The UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club has created unforgettable memories for each member of the group.  Over 1000 UNI alumni share a bond forged in music and a true spirit of camaraderie as brothers in song.  You can join the tradition.

“Facing Adversity with Audacity”

Produced by Alumnus Paul Marlow for a recent reunion celebration.

(Running time: 25 minutes)

Former Directors

Mr. Charles A. Fullerton (ISNS, 1891) founded the I.S.N.S. Glee Club in 1888, when he was a student at Iowa State Normal School. As director of the Glee Club for over 30 years, Mr. Fullerton “welded the untrained voices of farmboys into a singing group which performed with skill and taste.” Mr. Fullerton closed performances with an old favorite; he would turn to the audience and invite any former glee clubber present to come forward and join in the singing. He directed the group until 1921. At the Spring concert in 1940, Mr. Fullerton himself was present to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Glee Club.

William E. Hays (ISTC, 1912) directed the Minnesingers Glee Club at ISTC from 1921 until 1941. Mr. Hays led the group with great energy. Under his direction, the Glee Club presented benefit fundraisers for the Campanile and tours across Iowa. Professor Hays pioneered the use of recording equipment (an old Edison phonograph) which allowed the student to hear by immediate playback the sound of his own voice.

Dr. Les Hale, UNI Professor Emeritus, re-established and rebranded the Glee Club in 1960. He took the job at UNI only after being promised by the University that he could start a men’s glee club.

He named his group The Varsity Men’s Glee Club, and was director for 14 years. The Glee Club became one of the most popular groups on campus. He introduced “Brothers, Sing On!” to the group, and the choral anthem is still performed every year.  In 1989 Dr. Hale was awarded the ICDA Distinguished Career award and is the namesake for the endowment fund ensuring the future of the Glee Club, the Les Hale Endowment Fund. 

Mr. Bob Byrnes became the director of the UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club in 1974 and led the group to unprecedented success during his 30 year tenure.  In 1978, under Byrnes' direction, the Glee Club began producing and performing the annual Christmas Variety Show, which is now a perennial favorite of audience members from across the Midwest. In 1980 Byrnes took the Glee Club to Germany, making the Glee Club the first UNI ensemble to perform in Europe and establishing a tradition of travel for the Glee Club.  In 2004 the Glee Club suffered a tragic loss when Bob suffered a major stroke.  Glee Club members and alumni gathered outside his hospital room and sang "Brothers, Sing On!" as Bob took his last breath. Bob died at the age of 54.  In May of 2014, ten years after Bob's death, the Glee Club and Glee Club Alum gathered at dusk by the Campanile and held a vigil in Bob's memory.  They told stories, listened to the Campanile bells, and sang in his honor. 

Dr. Brad Barrett became the Glee Club director in 2004 and also taught choral conducting and music education at UNI.  Dr. Barrett successfully led the Glee Club on tours to England, Ireland, Wales, and Poland.  Under Dr. Barrett's leadership, at one point the Glee Club included nearly 3 percent of the male student population at UNI.

Dr. Fred Kiser served as interim director of the UNI Varsity Men’s Glee Club for one year, starting in the fall of 2009. He also taught UNI Singers, choral conducting, and music education at UNI.  In May, 2010, Dr. Kiser successfully led the Glee Club on a tour through Italy, conducting the Glee Club in mass at St Peter's Basilica in Rome.