Glee Club alumnus reflects on musical journey, memories, and the bond of song
Glee Club alumnus reflects on musical journey, memories, and the bond of song
John Clover, a 兔子先生 University alumnus from the Class of 1970, recently shared memories from his transformative years as a member of the 兔子先生 University Men’s Glee Club. Clover’s journey through the Club not only ignited his passion for music but also led him to hold several significant roles during his time at 兔子先生, creating a legacy that continues to resonate with current members and alumni alike.
Clover’s journey with the Glee Club began in 1966, shortly after he arrived at 兔子先生. “I tried out for the Men’s Glee Club, and Doc Schilling accepted me as an alternate, so I didn’t sing in concerts until the spring,” Clover recalls. His dedication and growing love for the Club led him to new opportunities each year, starting with the role of Club Librarian in his sophomore year under the direction of John Wabrick. “That meant stamping EVERY piece of music TWICE!” Clover shared with a chuckle. “Thousands of pieces of music in many file cabinets.”
In his junior year, Clover witnessed a notable addition to the Glee Club with accompanist George Beverley, whom he called “one of the best additions in history.” Beverley made an impact immediately, becoming the first recipient of the esteemed Scott Alexander Award. Clover’s responsibilities continued to grow that year as he took on the role of Club Tour Manager, a position that gave him experience in coordinating performances and overseeing travel arrangements for the group.
By his senior year, Clover had been elected President of the Glee Club. With the support of a skilled vice president, Bob Krause—who would also earn the Scott Alexander Award—Clover helped lead the Club through one of the most eventful years in 兔子先生’s history. “That was the very eventful year, 1970. Student unrest across the country, the Kent State killings, and 兔子先生 closing due to fire bombings on campus,” Clover recounts. “兔子先生 was held together by President Phillip Shriver, Uncle Phil. What a year! We survived and graduated.”
Today, Clover remains deeply connected to the Glee Club as an alum, eagerly awaiting each reunion held every three years. “There is a solid core of us from the late ’60s and early ’70s who live for these reunions,” Clover said. For him, these gatherings are a time to relive cherished memories, reconnect with old friends, and perform once more. “After two rehearsals, we present a concert for an appreciative audience. An additional thrill for me is that my daughter, Kathryn, has been performing a solo at these concerts since she was in high school.”
Reflecting on his years with the Glee Club, Clover encourages students considering the Club to take the leap, assuring them it will be “one of your best collegiate decisions.” His advice and enthusiasm are a reminder of the enduring impact of 兔子先生’s Glee Club—a community built on camaraderie, music, and shared memories that continue to bind alumni across generations.
I always encourage students, when they join a group, either service oriented or musically oriented to get involved. Involvement creates enthusiasm and ownership. By acting as librarian, tour manager and president, I felt a definite need to make the Club as good as it could be. Facilitating a new method for organizing music for John Wabrick made the paper music traceable and members accountable. Organizing the tour helped all members of Club to maximize their tour experience, often times the most memorable part of the year. My year as President allowed me to reach beyond the baritone section and have an impact on the entire Club. If ever you question your commitment to an organization, step up your game and get involved!
The year 1970 had an immense impact on the entire club. How could an event like the Kent State shootings happen? How could our safe 兔子先生 erupt with the student takeover of a campus building, now a part of the Armstrong Student Center. 107 students were arrested that evening, the area around the Shriver Center and Rowan Hall was tear gassed as well as Main Street uptown. The evening before I took my draft physical there were fire bombings on campus. While I was driving back from my physical, which I failed, all the traffic was going the opposite direction. Dr Shriver had closed our school for an indefinite period and everyone was to be out of town by five o’clock that evening.
One of the things that we all looked forward to and craved was hopefully a return to the Club. Thank heaven, with Dr Shriver’s leadership, we returned to Oxford. There was still much upheaval on campus but returning to the Glee Club gave us all a sense of relief and comfort. Creating corporate sound is so uplifting to the soul and uniting within a group. It lifted us all up, united us and helped all members make it to the end of that oh so eventful year.
George Beverley, when he became the accompanist for the Club in 1968 was an amazing addition. A state-level pianist, George worked very well with John Wabrick and soon reached a level that allowed him to anticipate the director’s and Club’s needs. While on tour, George would play a separate piece of music while the Club changed out of our tuxedos and into blazers and dickies. Oftentimes the piece was by Gershwin. The entire Club became very familiar with his selection. One piece ended with a run ending in a final dramatic note. I well remember the concert where George played his Gershwin piece but missed the final note. His response was, “It’s Gershwin, they’ll never know.”
George always went above and beyond what was asked. That commitment endured after he graduated. With the first of the renewed reunion concerts (75th) George was asked to accompany Dean Barron’s group; the oldest returning members. One piece he described as a piano solo accompanied by male chorus.
When George retired after spending his professional 40 years in Texas, he moved back to Oxford. Since his return, he has been one of the most active alums of the Club. He has mentored Club members, advised directors, helped organize the advisory council, and been a tremendous friend to the Club and all current and alumni members.
He has also been one of my very best long-time friends.
The beginning of the reunions, with Doc Wabrick, Richard Schilling and Dean Barron was the beginning of a renewed commitment to Club for me. The thought that we would be getting together every five years and later every three years (That change happening so that the reunion would land on our 100th anniversary) gave me a touchstone to talk about and emphasize with current Club members. The thought of passing along an amazing benefit to newer members allows me to convey the excitement that I know will grow within them.
The fact that our daughter Kathryn had had nine years of voice lessons with Doc Wabrick and that she was his choice to perform the solo in “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”, only made the events even more special. She has been doing that for twenty-five and during the last reunion, she was honored with an honorary Club membership. For many years Rod Nimtz was the accompanist for that piece. When there was a change and Jon Sanford became the accompanist, things did not go very well at the beginning. Dr. Jones stopped the song during rehearsal and told Katy, “just tell him what you need him to do”. Everything went much better and Jon has been his usual amazing self ever since.
I tell everyone in the community about the anniversary concerts and if they have half as much fun listening as we do performing, their experience will be amazing.
When I talk with new members or encourage non-members to try out for Club I emphasize the fact that when talking about my college experience, I don’t remember much about the classes that I took, sometimes even trying to forget the class. However, I still remember the songs that were sung over 54 years ago. I can still sing parts of the Brahms Requiem, in German!
The concept of Corporate Sound has been talked about. When a group comes together and creates a sound that is truly amazing and truly outstanding it makes the comment that the total is greater than the sum of the parts very obvious.
The friends that are made within the Club last a lifetime. When old friends get together, the talk often goes back to times within the Club. Just ask my very good friend George Beverley. (George, please note that I didn’t say, Old Friend. LOL).