“This energizes me!” said Trisha Brink, English instructor and faculty advisor of the BC Glee Club.
Yes, Glee is on TV, in video games, at your local Claire’s and now, it is invading the BC campus.
“BC Glee Club has become a mini-U.N. of students. It’s a great way not only to share music, but also connect with other cultures. BC Glee strengthens our cultural understanding and leads toward a more accepting world. This is why ‘We are the World’ is such a fitting song for us to sing right now,” added Brink.
It all started with ESL students Jun, Sam and Shauny when they began their search for a singing club on campus. The three soon decided to start their own club after finding out that there are only choirs established.
They first came up with the idea of a karaoke club, but Shauny, being a big fan of the TV show Glee, thought otherwise at that time.
“I thought we should not only sing together for fun, but also we should perform,” she said.
Shauny, who is now one of the Presidents of the club, then brought up the idea of starting a Glee Club to the table and the BC Glee Club was officially set up in spring 2010.
Aiming to promote cultural understanding through music, the club sings a variety of different music from classic rock to country to pop. For instance, during their most recent performance, BC Glee members performed Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”
At first, the BC Glee Club focused mainly on promoting among ESL students. Their first ever performance was at the BC English Learning Institute’s End-of-the-Quarter Party.
Since then, more and more students have shown interest in the BC Glee Club. Starting in the fall of 2011, the club also started advertising to all credit students. Ultimately, anyone who loves to sing and wants to be part of a fun international community can join the BC Glee Club.
Faculty advisor Trisha was not exaggerating when she claimed the BC Glee Club to be a mini-U.N. Stepping into E102 every Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., you will find one of the most culturally diversified clubs we have on campus.
Members come from all over the world: America, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Ukraine, China, Vietnam, etc.
“My friends invited me to join the BC Glee Club…there are many students from other countries and we can communicate with each other here. This is why I like the club,” said Chaco from Japan.
“I joined the BC Glee Club because I like to sing…I like the BC Glee Club because the people here are friendly,” said Kristianto from Indonesia.
No prior musical training is required and no audition is necessary for BC Glee Club members. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the BC Glee Club and join in on the fun. And the best part of all? You will never get slushy-ed.
This quarter, the BC Glee Club will perform at the ELI End-of-the-Quarter party on March 21 in the Champions Centre at 1:30 p.m. They will also perform at International Night on Saturday, April 28 (6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) in BC’s cafeteria.