The U.S. Naval Academy Men’s Glee club recently traveled to San Francisco where they spent their spring break touring and performing in several concerts and public events throughout the city and surrounding areas.
The Glee Club, under the direction of their President, Midshipman 1st Class Al Perry, sang in many different performances throughout their 10-day visit, including several high schools, as part of admissions outreach programs.
‘‘The coolest part is when you sing at high schools because their faces just light up when they see all these guys in SDBs (service dress blue uniforms) singing acapella,” Perry said. ‘‘They don’t even know what the Naval Academy is, but at the end of the concert they all want to go there.”
Another admissions-tailored concert took place in the hangar bay of USS Hornet (CV 12), a World War II-era carrier retired in Oakland. About 500 high school students and their blue and gold officers were encouraged to attend. Meeting the officers provided some valuable interaction for members of the Glee Club and ‘Big Navy.’
‘‘That was good because to most people ‘We were the Navy,’” Perry added. ‘‘We really got to take on the ambassadorial role for the Naval Academy and display Superintendent’s vision of being the ‘Face of the Navy.’”
Other highlights of the trip included five formal concerts in the large concert halls around San Francisco, and performing onstage with the Chanticleer Choir during one of their concerts.
Chanticleer, a 12-man choir, is considered to be one of the most prestigious men’s choirs in the country. The mids were able to practice and later perform Biebl’s Ave Maria.
Midshipman 4th Class Chris Hetherington remembers this instance as the highlight of the trip. ‘‘Other highlights were recording for our new album in the Gallo Winery wine cellar. They clearly packed in as much in as they could.”
The Glee Club didn’t have much time to relax or take in the spring break sun. They were able to tour San Francisco and take in all the sights. They also traveled to Lake Tahoe for some skiing. Through these fun times and performances, the 65 midshipmen who went on the trip were bonded together.
‘‘By that last performance, we were singing as one completely cohesive group,” said Perry.
After returning home from California, the Glee Club sets it sights on the Spring Oratorio with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. The event will be held April 22.
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