After I watched "The Squid and the Whale" and visited the Mead Art Museum for its "Pop!" and "Dutch Masters of the Seventeenth Century" exhibits, I concluded my culture-rich weekend by attending the Glee Club's senior concert. A tradition since 1968, the annual springtime concert features songs chosen by the Club's seniors.

The musical event began with such classics as Ludwig van Beethoven's "Hallelujah Chorus" from "Mount of Olives" and Jacob Handl's "Ascendit Deus." These songs established a somewhat glum tone, although that is not to say they weren't delivered well. They were, in fact, moving and nicely arranged, yet somber. The concert also included Billy Joel's "And So It Goes" and James Taylor's "Lonesome Road."

The juxtaposition of the English sea shanty "What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor" and Arthur Sullivan's "We Sail the Ocean Blue" from "H. M. S. Pinafore" was quite clever. Both songs are about life on the seas, yes, but while the former is about a drunken sailor, the men in the latter song stress staunchly instead that they are sober men.

These performances were particularly pleasant because they helped to lighten a heavy repertoire allowing the audience to smile. (Also, you should know by now that I have a penchant for musical theater.) Although the Glee Club members saluted and had some fun with the songs, they were still rather stiff and unsynchronized-but I realize that they are a formal singing group.

And sing they did. The group as a whole was terrific and the soloists (Jung Kim '06, Chanin Changtor '06, Eric Mattelson '06 and Benjamin Softness '06) excelled. Softness was especially notable in his wonderful, expressive rendition of "Ain't Got Time to Die." Mallorie Chernin (the Choral Society director) and Rachel Dunham '05, who oftentimes accompanied the men by singing and playing the piano, led the Club with fine direction.

At the concert's midpoint, the Glee Club held a raffle; however, most of the winning ticket holders weren't even in the audience! These talented singers (and performers in general) really do deserve larger audiences. Get some culture, enjoy yourself and oblige them. I'll end the public service announcement now.

The seniors concluded the concert with the "Senior Song" as they passed around a goblet. They were facetious as they took long draughts from the goblet and long pauses during the song; the sense of waiting was reflected smartly in the lyrics. Perhaps the men aren't actually that stiff.

The evening was ultimately enjoyable because of the playful songs amidst classic scores delivered by musically gifted singers and directors.