presence of young-lady guests and the social activities which followed the formal program gave the occasion some aspects of a modern Winter Party. Students joined the community in observing Decoration or Memorial Day in the 1870’s. Proceeding in a body to the University and village cemeteries, they put flowers on the soldiers’ graves and joined the village people in a program of addresses and music appropriate to the occasion.
The glee club of the 1860’s seems not to have lasted. In 1882 it was revived and gained a permanent status in 1885 when Professor McGregory, who was familiar with the glee club at his Alma Mater, Amherst, gave encouragement and instruction. Thereafter, it became a regular feature of campus life. Students also sang in a well-received non-University production of Pinafore in 1880 and demonstrated some talent in providing music and words for several songs in the two editions of Carmina Collegensis (1868, 1876) and the American College Song Book (1882). In honor of Madison University, the music instructor at the Female Seminary, J. R. Muth, in 1874 composed and published a march for 32 instruments.