3.17.2005

For Public Release

As Clubbers learned this past October, this will be Professor Stephen Lusmann’s last year as conductor of the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club. Professor Lusmann’s announcement came as a bit of a shock to much of Club, but everyone understood his decision to spend more time performing as a renowned baritone soloist. As the School of Music winds down a national search which has brought five candidates before the Club and the announcement of a successor nears, Lusmann’s decision has compelled Clubbers to look back fondly over the past few years under his tenure.

Professor Lusmann began his tenure with Club as guest conductor at Jerry Blackstone’s final Hill concert in April of 2002 and was announced as his successor that same evening. However, this did not mark the beginning of Lusmann’s relationship with Club as he appeared as featured soloist on the Spring Concert the previous year and was the baritone soloist for the fall 2001 performance of Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem. As conductor he quickly established a good rapport with the Club and in turn had a highly successful first year with the Club premiering two new works and embarking on an acclaimed tour of the Southwest. During his second year the Club appeared alongside male choruses from around the country at the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Seminar at Harvard University for the first time since 1986. Not only did the Club live up to its reputation as one of the finest male choruses, the seminar was an opportunity for Clubbers to share ideas and camaraderie with members of the other groups. Finally, spring tour saw the Club’s first trip to Ireland and a return to Great Britain after a 20 year hiatus.

The tours Professor Lusmann led were both very successful and both saw the Men’s Glee Club being represented at its best in other parts of the country and the world. The music, venues, and good times will be remembered by all who were involved. It is expected that the same will be experienced as Professor Lusmann leads one more tour at the close of his tenure. This year’s East Coast tour will bring the Club to such notable venues as Faneuil Hall in Boston and the Club’s debut at Carnegie Hall in New York with the Smith College Glee Club and Orchestra—fittingly, Professor Lusmann will be the baritone soloist for that performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9—and joint concerts with the Cornell and Rutgers Glee Clubs.

Professor Lusmann brings a love and passion for music to the Glee Club that has rubbed off on everyone who has sung under him. With every fiber in his body at every rehearsal, he communicates the emotion and feeling of the song so as to make the music and the performance that much more beautiful. And for everyone who has seen the Club under his direction, they know this must be the truth. This passion is now preserved for posterity on the Club’s newly released album Echoes from the Cliffs which is primarily a collection of recordings from the 2004 Great Britain and Ireland Tour and the 145th Anniversary Concert. The stunning performances on the album are a testament to Lusmann’s accomplishments while conducting the Club. The Men’s Glee Club is grateful for Professor Lusmann’s talent, hard work, and love of music over the past three years and he is sure to go down in the annals of the Glee Club as a conductor who furthered the pillars of Tradition, Camaraderie, and Musical Excellence.

Contact: Zach Junga, Laudes Editor

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