Organization Overview:
Purdue Varsity Glee Club
Velvet voices
Have you heard these guys? Imagine a cello — deep, rich, full — one glorious instrument. That's the sound of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. For more than 110 years, they have made Purdue proud with their voices, charisma, high standard of academics and performance excellence.
Purduettes
Sparkling song
These women have their own “Rosie the Riveter” story — the foundation of their present-day mojo. The Purduettes formed in 1942 during World War II when the Glee Club men marched off to service. Today, the Purduettes possess their own dynamic identity and glee club sound. Glitz, energy, polish, vibrancy and resonance are the Purduettes. These women are handpicked for their vocal talents to represent Purdue with superlative, feminine leadership.
Purdue Bells
Radiant ring
Black gloves, arms flying, a pure, beckoning ring — we're talking the Purdue Bells. The Purdue Bells combine a five-octave set of Whitechapel handbells with four-and-a-half octave Schulmerich handbells to perform. The Purdue Bells travel the country with a charismatic ringing style that soars through concert halls and beguiles audiences.
PMO Specialties
The best of the best
Members of the PMO Specialty groups are hand-picked by the directors from the talent pools of the Varsity Glee Club, Purduettes and Purdue Bells. These select performers become soloists and members of three-to-five person ensembles. They are chosen for their skill, shine and intensity and are professionally coached by our staff to represent Purdue's finest musicians. Extra time and commitment are required to be a member of one of the PMO Specialty groups. You must radiate a soaring work ethic and an unstoppable musical affection.
All Campus & Community Chorale
Light, but satisfying
Want to ease into your mojo with a casual, yet professional, singing group? Then the All Campus & Community Chorale fits your groove. This group sets the whole campus singing, welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and friends of PMO. With a relaxed, minimal rehearsal schedule and two performances a year, the All Campus & Community Chorale is for you if you long to sing but want a small time commitment. The All-Campus Choral encourages you to “come as you are” and “come as you can” to perform a broad range of musical styles with spirit and flair.
Heart & Soul
Motown mojo
African-American musical styles are the jammin' force in 20th-century music. PMO spotlights those vintage vibes with this red-hot ensemble. Heart & Soul is a group of singers and musicians who groove to the legacy and future of R&B, jazz, spirituals, gospel and the Motown Sound.
University Choir
Electric hookup
When the voices of the Purduettes and the Varsity Glee Club fuse, we stage one powerhouse, mixed vocal group called the University Choir. The U-Choir performs on campus and throughout the Lafayette/West Lafayette community. The annual, acclaimed Purdue Christmas Show spotlights the combined PMO varsity level ensembles showcasing the University Choir with six performances annually for over 36,000 people in Purdue's Elliott Hall of Music — one of the largest stages in America, where mojo's been jumpin' since 1940!
Kids Choir
75th Annual Purdue Christmas Show
What Christmas would be complete without children, and what Purdue Christmas Show could be complete without the PMO Kids Choir? These kids are an integral part of the Christmas Show in many ways. Not only do their angelic voices add to the show, the expressions and actions they provide have brought joy and laughter to thousands of audience members.
Elderhostel
Musical outreach
June sparks the musical flame in us all and Purdue's campus is no different. Traveling from all over the world to attend PMO's “Art of Entertainment” Elderhostel workshop, participants gather for a memorable week of singing and a lot of fun!