Do You Love to Sing? Audition Now for Our Winter 2009 Season

If you have musical experience or have sung in theater, a chorus, or a choir and have some ability to read music, please consider auditioning for our upcoming season. We will be rehearsing, beginning September 14 (Monday evenings on the Upper West Side), in preparation for a gala holiday concert in December. For an audition appointment or more information, contact our conductor, Gene Wisoff, at 212-362-8550.

Men Who Sing  Documentary Featuring MGC Makes Its Debut  click on image to view trailer

Men Who Sing: A 56-minute documentary showcasing MGC's rich history since its founding in 1866 and recent resurgence has recently been   released. The film follows the Club from rehearsals through performances over two years, providing glimpses of the singers and conductor at work and at play, and features interviews with both members and others connected to the chorus. Click here to learn more about the DVD and to place an order. It's hoped that the documentary will inspire other men who love to sing to come forth and let their voices be heard. If you would like to audition for our Spring 2009 season, please contact conductor Gene Wisoff at GeneWisoff@aol.com or phone 212-362-8550.

The Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York City was founded in 1866. Named for composer Felix Mendelssohn, the Club has offered for the enjoyment of our members and friends at least two concerts in every year of our existence. The nonprofit organization is the oldest men’s chorus in the country and the second oldest independent musical organization (after the New York Philharmonic).

Repertoire

We are always adding to our eclectic library of over 1,600 male choral pieces. Our repertoire includes art songs, ballads, spirituals, hymns, seasonal works, operatic choruses, lieder, barbershop songs, and selections from musical theater. Recent performances.

Historic highlights

The glee club received accolades from Sir Arthur Sullivan and Arturo Toscanini and sang at the dedication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1888.  Its conductors have included Joseph Mosenthal, Edward MacDowell, Frank Damrosch, Cesare Sodero, Emerson Buckley, and John Royer Bogue. Guest soloists have included Victor Herbert, Helen Traubel, Aprile Millo, and Emily Pulley.  Detailed history. 

MGC on NPR

Listen to Lars Hoel's feature about MGC on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Sunday (December 23, 2007). Click here.

The Club gives two major performances a year, in the spring and winter. For details about past performances, click here. 

Recent concerts

MGC and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany
Celebrate Felix Mendelssohn's 200th Birthday

In recognition of Felix Mendelssohn's 200th birthday, MGC and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany presented a joint concert -- free to the public -- at Union College in Schenectady, New York, on June 6..

The clubs performed independently and combined. The Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York City sang six pieces, including "Die Mainacht" (Johannes
Brahms); "Stouthearted Men" (Sigmund Romberg); and "Die Lorelei" (Felix Mendelssohn). Conductor: Eugene Wisoff.

The Mendelssohn Club of Albany performed "Let their celestial concerts all unite," from Samson (George Frederic Handel); "September Song" (Kurt Weill);
and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (William Steffe). Conductor: Victor Klimash.

As a combined chorus, the clubs sang five works, including "For so hath the Lord Himself commanded" (from Paulus) and "Der Jaeger Abschied" (Felix
Mendelssohn); and (from Iolanthe) "March of the Peers" (Sir Arthur Sullivan).

Felix Mendelssohn was born on February 3, 1809, in Hamburg, Germany. His best-known works include A Midsummer Night's Dream (with the famous "Wedding March"); his four symphonies (especially the "Italian" and the "Scottish"); a violin concerto; piano pieces entitled "Songs Without Words"; and the oratorio Elias (a large-scale work for chorus, orchestra, and soloists).

Mendelssohn inspired the creation of many choral clubs -- amateur and professional -- including the Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York City, founded in 1866, and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany, established in 1909.

The Mendelssohn name was adopted in recognition of the composer's important role, historically, in choral music. Not the least of his contributions to European and world culture was his crusade to bring attention to the choral works, genius, and deserved preeminence of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Annual Spring Concert

Our 143rd annual spring concert was held Tuesday evening, May 12, at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew,on West 86th Street.

The Club performed Romantic works, including "Die Mainacht" by Brahms, "La Pastorella" by Schubert, and "Lorelei" and "Hunter's Farewell" by Mendelssohn. There was a piece by Romberg -- "Stouthearted Men" -- and Sullivan's "March of the Peers." The Club joined guest artist soprano Michelle Johnson in "Lida Rose," from The Music Man, by Meredith Willson.

Spirituals, sea chanteys, and folk songs were also on the program.

Ms. Johnson sang "What Good Would the Moon Be?," from Street Scene, by Weill; and "You'll Never Walk Alone," from Carousel, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, as well as other pieces.          

The featured instrumentalist was flutist Sheryl Henze. 

 Past performances

For details about other performances, click here.
 

We hope that our audiences have enjoyed our performances as much as we have enjoyed singing. Please keep in mind that the ability of the Club to continue depends on financial support from friends like you. Donations.

Benefit recitals and special performances

The Club serves the community by performing at local hospitals and senior centers and singing at special events. 

Click here to read about benefit recitals.

We welcome the opportunity to share our joy of singing. If you would be interested in having the Club perform for your organization, please contact us.

To make an appointment for an audition, please contact the conductor at 212-362-8550 or send email to GeneWisoff@aol.com. 

For general questions about the Club or for additional information, please contact the President, John Memmolo: jamskier@aol.com.  

The Mendelssohn Glee Club would like to thank radio station WQXR for its generous support.

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