Glee Club's Value Stressed By John Charles Thomas

"One of the finest things a college has to offer is its glee club," said Mr. John Charles Thomas, leading baritone in the Kreisler-Jacob musical piece, "Apple Blossoms," In an interview with a CRIMSON representative recently. "Such an organization is in itself a real education for young men. By the selections they sing and by the practice they receive in conceried work, they have an opportunity to develop a 'musical personality,' which is a recognized and distinctly valuable acquisition.

"Work on a glee club is much the same as on a football team. The men have got to pull together, and while each individual should strive for his own highest pitch of efficiency, team work is essential for success. And, just like a football coach, the leader of a glee club has got to inspire his singers with complete faith and earnest interest in what they are doing.

"It would be a splendid thing if the proposed trip of the Harvard Glee Club to France were carried through. In the old countries they are accustomed to hold 'singing fests', and the introduction of an American glee club would make a novel contrast to these groups. A young college aggregation especially would be sure to contain great interest to the average foreigner."

Mr. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania and prepared at Conway Hall School for Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he was a member of the glee club. He later studied singing at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Raltimore and also at the Hague, Holland. At the age of 21 he was a choral director in Raltimore and has since appeared in several musical productions. He has the principal role in "Apple Blossoms," which started on tour last year after a long run in New York.