History of The Villanova Singers (click here for complete list of Singers Presidents 1954-2009)

    2004-2005 marks the 51^st year of the Villanova Singers. This highly acclaimed and versatile men's chorus dates back to 1953 when Harold Gill Reuschlein, Dean of Villanova’s prestigious Law School, established the group for the purpose of singing various types of music and enriching the cultural life of the University. Dean Reuschlein began a tradition of brotherhood in song that has grown to be one of the strongest, most active, most successful organizations on campus.  Dean Reuschlein was known to say that he was "as proud of the Villanova Singers as I am of what the Law School has become."

    Since 1963, the Singers have logged almost 200,000 miles, leaving behind a long and distinguished trail of accomplishments stretching as far west as California, as far north as Canada, as far south as the Bahamas, and as far east as Poland. Some recent highlights include 7-day tours of Italy in the Spring 2001, Austria and Germany in the Spring of 2003, and Puerto Rico in the Spring of 2004.  This year they will embark on a tour of Montreal in the Fall, followed by a return trip to Italy in the Spring with the Voices and Gospel Ensemble.

    The Singers are governed by an elected 8-member board of students, led by President Michael Fink. They sing an eclectic repertoire, ranging from sacred to patriotic, gospel to contemporary, as well as several arrangements by their director, Brian Meneely. The Singers enjoy sharing their music with the Villanova Voices, the all-women counterpart to the Singers, with whom they sing together in concert in both the Winter and Spring. 

    Within the Singers, there exists a smaller a cappella group known as the Spires, instrumental for performing contemporary music in an often humorous manner. They often arrange their own music and are entirely student directed, this year by Ryan Corbi and Charles Messina. In the past, such notables as Jim Croce and Tim Hauser from Manhattan Transfer have helped to strengthen the group.

    Mr. Brian Meneely took over as the Singers' director in 1990, and under his direction, the Singers have performed such works as Faure's "Requiem," Handel's "Messiah," Brahms' "Rhapsody for Contralto and Men's Chorus," Schubert's Mass in G, John Rutter's "Gloria", and Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana," and has directed them on two compact discs entitled "Brothers in Song" and "Upon the Campus Green." In addition to the Singers, he directs the Villanova Chamber Choir, a select choir consisting of the most talented Singers and Voices.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Performance from Temple University in Philadelphia. He is a tenor soloist in his own right, having performed with major orchestras nationally and internationally.  He celebrates his 15th year with the Singers in 2005.

    The Singers enjoy remarking that "Brothers in Song" is the anthem and motto of the group. The past fifty years have helped strengthen the brotherhood to a point where, now, the members of the group are brothers in the truest sense of the word. Music has always come first, but the friendships and the brotherhood will be forever lasting.

    Within the past year, the Singers lost two significant people in their history.  Dr. Herbert Fiss was the second director in the history of Villanova Singers.  He touched the lives of hundreds of our brothers with his love of music and his leadership throughout the years.  Joshua Hanlon was a rising junior who touched lives on a daily basis with his actions and kind words.  He sadly passed away over the summer due to complications with leukemia.  Both of these great men and lovers of music will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout this school year, as we dedicate all of our performances to them.

-Written by Michael Fink, Singers' President 2004-05

An Addendum:

    2007-08 marks the 54th year of the Villanova Singers (and the 2nd consecutive year the this website has not been updated!).  This is a year that has seen one of the most impressive freshman classes in recent history (16 little froshies -- that were trusted to sing the entire upper part to Bruckner's Ave Maria by themselves!), seen the beautiful city of Montreal, and brought back a recent Singers' favorite, Brian Meneely's arrangement of Danny Boy.  This freshman class is the third in a row of healthy size, bringing their numbers back to 40 (plus their lovely accompanist, Niki Beaumariage).  With growing size, the leadership also expanded to an executive board of 9 elected positions and one appointed, non-voting office.

    In addition to their growing size, the Villanova Singers have also grown closer to the alumni.  In March of 2007, 160 Singers, past and present, assembled at the Villanova Conference Center for the first Singers Legacy Event, headed by former Singers President Bob Crowley '79 and his capable band of dedicated former Singers.  The second event will occur in April of 2008, and will take place every other year, starting in 2010.  This is a great way for the current Singers to get in touch with their roots, and in turn to open the door to return the favor when they graduate.

-Written by Andrew Clare, Singers' Historian 2006-07