United States Military Academy Cadet Glee Club
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The United States Military Academy Glee Club was founded in 1903. The choir is a glee club made up of cadet students from the United States Military Academy, known as "West Point."[1] Originally all male, the Glee Club, became a mixed-voice ensemble after the introduction of coeducation at the military academy. It has been described as "one of the most well-known collegiate singing groups in the world."[2]
The Glee Club, then 125-voices strong, performed at Carnegie Hall in 1952 with the West Point Band to mark the military academy's 150th anniversary.[3]
Astronaut Al Worden joined the Glee Club during his second year at the academy.[4]
Lieut. Col. Francis E. Resta directed the choir until his retirement in 1957.[5] Colonel William Schempf, the last holder of the academy title "Teacher of Music," conducted the Glee Club from 1957 to 1974. He was honored as "Conductor Emeritus" in 1990.[6]
The Glee Club has recorded a number of albums, including 1959's The Cadet Glee Club, West Point, which received three stars from Billboard, signifying "Good Sales Potential."[7]
The choir has appeared on television on the Ed Sullivan Show and, in 1973, on the Mike Douglas Show.[8][9]
The Glee Club performed Mansions of the Lord in the closing credits of the 2002 movie We Were Soldiers.[10]
