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One of the high points of this past semester was a performance by my university’s musical theater workshop. Unlike the formal music school ensembles, this group is a collection of students united simply by their love of singing and performing together. Watching them brought to mind the TV show Glee, with its exuberant celebration of music and collaboration.
The program was a vibrant mix of classic and contemporary musical theater, featuring songs like “Aquarius” from Hair and “Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof, alongside selections from Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Jonathan Larson and Leonard Bernstein. They performed numbers from Les Misérables, Hadestown, The Secret Garden, Parade and other beloved shows, closing with a rousing rendition of “Happiness” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
It wasn’t just a showcase of talent; it was a joyful reminder of the power of music to bring people together, express deep emotion and create moments of pure connection.
My university’s music school sits at the far northeast corner of the 40 Acres, a good 20- to 25-minute hike from the campus core. Given the distance, it’s not surprising that relatively few students outside of music majors attend its performances, even though these shows are free. That’s a shame for many reasons—most of all because my students, like so many young people today, could benefit greatly from more unadulterated joy in their lives.
The musical theater workshop’s performance wasn’t just entertaining; it was a burst of pure, unfiltered delight. It reminded me of something essential: the transformative power of music and art to uplift spirits and foster emotional connection.
Many of the emotional struggles my students face—loneliness, anxiety and a sense of disconnection—are not just individual challenges but sociological issues, symptoms of a culture that increasingly prioritizes competition, isolation and screen-based interactions over community and shared experiences.
Watching and listening to the workshop’s performance would have offered them a rare and much-needed moment of collective celebration. The energy of the performers, the nostalgia of the songs and the palpable enthusiasm in the room created an atmosphere of warmth and inclusion that’s difficult to find elsewhere on campus. Experiences like this remind us that art isn’t a luxury—it’s a vital tool for fostering resilience, empathy and a sense of belonging.
Campus singing groups—whether choral ensembles, glee clubs, carolers or choirs—are far more than just valuable outlets for student performers. They are essential sources of joy, emotional connection and community-building for everyone involved, from participants to their audiences. These groups remind us of the unique power of art to unify, inspire and uplift, enriching not only individual lives but also the broader university community.
Student-led musical performances transcend mere entertainment. They create spaces where shared experiences can flourish, offering opportunities to uplift spirits, combat feelings of isolation and foster a profound sense of belonging on campus. For the audiences who attend, these performances provide much-needed moments of connection and joy in an increasingly fragmented world, bridging gaps in a way few other activities can.
At a time when college students face growing emotional and sociological challenges—including loneliness, anxiety and a lack of meaningful connection—groups like the musical theater workshop play an indispensable role. Through their performances, these groups foster resilience, empathy and collective celebration, reminding us of the enduring importance of coming together to create and experience something beautiful. Their work underscores how art and music remain critical to the well-being and vitality of campus life.
Whether or not you ever watched Glee during its run from 2009 to 2015, its appeal lay in its unique ability to blend humor, drama and universal themes of belonging, self-discovery and resilience with the energy and emotional immediacy of musical performance. At the same time, it celebrated individuality and creativity, making it a cultural phenomenon that resonated deeply with its audience.
At its heart, Glee was a celebration of outsiders and misfits. The high school glee club, New Directions, served as a haven for students who didn’t fit into traditional cliques. Characters like the ambitious Rachel Berry and the bullied Kurt Hummel embodied the struggles of those who felt marginalized, offering viewers a powerful message of acceptance and self-worth. By embracing their quirks and talents, the show struck a chord with teenagers and young adults navigating their own identities.
What set Glee apart was its willingness to tackle serious social issues. It addressed bullying, homophobia, racism, disability, teen pregnancy and mental health through story lines that gave visibility to underrepresented experiences. Kurt’s journey of coming out and facing homophobia and Artie’s pursuit of musical dreams while using a wheelchair exemplified the show’s commitment to tackling these challenges. Glee managed to weave these issues into its narrative with humor and optimism, making it thought-provoking yet uplifting.
Balancing its earnestness, Glee infused sharp humor through exaggerated characters like Sue Sylvester, the villainous cheerleading coach played by Jane Lynch. Sue’s biting wit and absurd schemes added a satirical edge, lampooning high school politics and stereotypes. This blend of heartfelt drama and biting comedy gave Glee its distinctive tone, appealing to a wide and diverse audience.
By setting the story in a high school environment, Glee tapped into key themes in adolescence: the search for identity, the longing for acceptance and the challenges of navigating friendships, love and ambition. For older viewers, it evoked nostalgia for their own high school experiences, while younger audiences connected with the characters’ contemporary struggles. The glee club’s underdog story of striving for recognition and success mirrored the personal journeys of many viewers, reinforcing the show’s emotional impact.
The ensemble cast brought diversity to the forefront, representing a range of racial, sexual and socioeconomic backgrounds. Characters like Santana, who struggled with her sexuality, and Mercedes, who fought for recognition as a Black woman in the music world, expanded the scope of representation in media. This inclusivity allowed viewers from all walks of life to see themselves reflected on screen.
At a time when many TV shows leaned into dark, cynical narratives, Glee offered something refreshingly different: unabashed optimism. It acknowledged life’s difficulties while emphasizing the power of resilience, friendship and the pursuit of dreams. Seamlessly moving between humor and deeply emotional moments, Glee created a sense of catharsis for its audience, leaving them inspired and uplifted by its enduring message of hope and joy.
Glee’s popularity revealed a surprising cultural phenomenon: an unexpected enthusiasm for what was a traditionally niche activity, participation in glee clubs, musical theater and the concept of collective performance in a chorus.
Before Glee, glee clubs and choral performance were often viewed as outdated or unremarkable aspects of school life. They were more likely to be associated with earnest overachievers or the music department’s die-hard enthusiasts than with mainstream youth culture.
Glee flipped this perception by presenting the glee club as a microcosm of the high school experience—a space where underdogs could find belonging and self-expression. By giving its characters charisma, depth and compelling personal arcs, the show transformed the glee club from an afterthought into a dynamic and aspirational space where individuality thrived within collective harmony.
One of the show’s most remarkable achievements was its ability to make Broadway-style music and show tunes appealing to a younger audience raised on pop and hip-hop. Numbers like “Don’t Rain on My Parade” (from Funny Girl) and “Defying Gravity” (from Wicked), staples of musical theater, became breakout moments for the show’s characters and resonated with audiences who might not have previously encountered these songs.
Glee demonstrated that Broadway’s emotive storytelling and dramatic flair could be just as exciting and engaging as mainstream pop hits.
This resurgence of interest in musical theater mirrored broader trends, such as the success of productions like Wicked and, later, Hamilton, but Glee played a pivotal role in introducing these traditions to a more mainstream, youthful audience. By blending show tunes with contemporary songs, the show bridged generational gaps in musical taste, showing that Broadway and pop could coexist—and thrive—in the same cultural space.
At a time when much of youth culture was becoming increasingly individualized—marked by solo pursuits such as social media content creation or gaming—Glee showcased the power of collective performance. The glee club’s performances were not about individual stars (though those moments existed) but about how diverse voices could come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This theme of unity and collaboration resonated deeply, especially in a cultural moment marked by division and isolation.
The show emphasized that singing in a chorus wasn’t just an artistic endeavor but also a metaphor for teamwork, acceptance and finding strength in community. For many viewers, it revived an interest in activities that celebrated collaboration over competition, reminding them of the unique joys of creating something beautiful together.
In Glee, music wasn’t merely an accessory; it was central to the narrative, serving as a vehicle for emotional expression and storytelling. Performances often reflected characters’ inner struggles, aspirations or relationships, giving the songs a depth that transcended their original context. For younger audiences, this use of music to convey vulnerability, triumph and connection was both engaging and relatable, helping them see glee club and chorus participation as more than just technical skill—it was a way to tell their own stories.
Many young viewers saw themselves reflected in the characters of Glee, from Rachel Berry’s ambitious theatrical dreams to Kurt Hummel’s courageous self-expression. These characters used music as a way to explore and affirm their identities and their shared performances laid bare the power of art to build self-confidence and foster belonging. For young audiences, Glee transformed the idea of being in a glee club or chorus from something awkward or uncool into something empowering and emotionally significant.
Glee’s use of music to underscore personal struggles and triumphs forged a visceral connection between its audience and characters. The songs often served as emotional extensions, allowing characters to articulate feelings they couldn’t express otherwise.
Yet, in hindsight, the social issues the show addressed—addiction, mental health, trauma and resilience—eerily mirrored the real-life struggles faced by several members of its cast. Behind the scenes of fame and success, many of the actors battled significant personal challenges, adding a poignant layer of complexity to the show’s legacy.
Cory Monteith, who portrayed the affable Finn Hudson, faced a long struggle with substance abuse that began in his teenage years. Despite seeking treatment multiple times, Monteith died of a drug overdose in July 2013 at the age of 31. His death shocked fans and cast mates alike, casting a shadow over the show’s remaining seasons.
Mark Salling, who played the rebellious “Puck” Puckerman, was arrested in 2015 for possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty in 2017 and was awaiting sentencing when he died by suicide in January 2018 at the age of 35. Salling’s legal troubles and tragic death further complicated the show’s narrative of triumph and redemption.
Naya Rivera, celebrated for her groundbreaking portrayal of Santana Lopez, met an untimely end in July 2020. While on a boating trip at Lake Piru with her young son, Josey, Rivera drowned after saving her child by pushing him back onto their rented boat. Her death at the age of 33 devastated fans and underscored her real-life heroism, leaving a lasting void in the Glee community.
Other cast members also faced public challenges. Jesse Luken, who had a recurring role as Bobby Surette, was arrested for a DUI in 2018 following a single-car accident. Melissa Benoist, who joined the show in its later seasons, revealed in 2019 that she was a survivor of domestic violence, shedding light on her own personal resilience. Meanwhile, Lea Michele, Glee’s central star, faced significant backlash in 2020 when former co-stars accused her of bullying and fostering a toxic work environment during the show’s production.
These real-life struggles add a bittersweet dimension to Glee’s legacy. While the show was a beacon of hope, celebrating individuality and resilience through music, the challenges its cast faced remind us that the themes it explored on-screen were often painfully relevant off-screen. The juxtaposition of Glee’s optimism with these personal tragedies highlights the enduring complexity of art, fame and the human condition.
Glee’s appeal lay in its ability to reveal the profound emotional, psychological and social value of shared musical experiences. It reimagined music-making as far more than an extracurricular activity, framing it as a transformative space for self-expression, connection and collective healing. At a time when individualism and competition often overshadow communal efforts, Glee reminded audiences of the irreplaceable power of coming together to create something meaningful.
Music, a distinctively human tool for processing emotions and building community, was central to Glee’s narrative power. The show portrayed its high school glee club as a sanctuary for misfits and outsiders—a microcosm of society where differences could coexist and evolve into harmony.
For its characters, singing was more than performance; it was catharsis, self-discovery and a means of finding strength through connection. For audiences, this was deeply resonant, reflecting a deeply felt need for belonging and the ways art bridges personal struggles and communal joy.
Through its musical performances, Glee demonstrated how songs could transcend entertainment to become powerful tools of storytelling. Each performance became a vehicle for emotional expression, allowing characters to articulate their innermost fears, desires and triumphs in ways words alone could not. In doing so, Glee showcased music’s unique ability to transform individual vulnerability into collective resonance.
The show also tapped into deeper sociological needs. In an era marked by cultural fragmentation and isolation, Glee emphasized the value of collaboration over competition and connection over division. Its diverse cast and inclusive narratives celebrated individuality while promoting teamwork, reflecting broader cultural shifts toward acceptance and mutual support. The glee club’s journey served as a metaphor for the power of collective effort, illustrating how shared musical experiences foster resilience and unity in a divided world.
The significance of Glee extends beyond its plot lines and musical numbers. It revealed that in a society increasingly dominated by self-promotion and digital isolation, shared creative endeavors like glee clubs, choirs and collective performances meet essential emotional and psychological needs. They provide belonging, purpose and mutual understanding, reminding us of humanity’s fundamental desire to connect through art.
When we sing together, we heal together. Collective singing is far more than music—it is a deeply human experience that transcends barriers, fostering connection, catharsis and joy. It reminds us that in a fragmented and often isolating world, voices joined in harmony can create meaning, build resilience and offer solace. For college students, many of whom face mounting issues of loneliness, anxiety and depression, the power of collective performance cannot be overstated. Yet, universities often overlook this profound tool for community-building and emotional well-being.
The act of collective singing represents more than entertainment; it is a form of shared creation, a testament to the beauty of collaboration and the transformative power of art. Each performance is an opportunity to connect, to belong and to feel the strength of being part of something greater than oneself. These moments allow students to break free from the pressures of grades, deadlines and digital isolation, providing a much-needed space for emotional expression and collective celebration. Together, we create joy—one performance, one note, one shared moment at a time.
Colleges, as centers of learning and growth, have a unique responsibility to nurture these shared experiences. Investing in programs that encourage collective performance—such as choirs, glee clubs and other student-led music groups—can offer students an invaluable outlet for self-expression and connection. These groups not only enrich campus life but also provide a proven way to combat the feelings of isolation and stress that so many students endure. Group singing releases endorphins, reduces cortisol levels and fosters a sense of community—all of which are vital for mental health.
Moreover, collective performance transcends individual differences, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds in a shared effort. In a time when polarization often dominates public discourse, the act of singing together provides a rare space where collaboration, empathy and mutual support can flourish. By participating in something larger than themselves, students learn the value of teamwork and shared purpose, skills that extend beyond the rehearsal room or performance stage.
Colleges should actively promote and support these opportunities. This means more than simply funding music programs; it requires creating accessible spaces where students of all skill levels feel welcome to join. Informal singing groups, open mike nights and campuswide music events can complement traditional choirs and musical theater workshops, ensuring that everyone has the chance to experience the profound benefits of collective performance. Faculty and staff can also play a role by encouraging participation and celebrating the achievements of student performers, further embedding the importance of shared musical experiences into campus culture.
In addressing the mental health crisis on college campuses, collective performance offers a simple yet powerful solution. It helps students process emotions, find community and develop resilience, all while creating moments of joy and connection. When we sing together, we not only heal together—we thrive together. By prioritizing these shared experiences, colleges can empower students to face life’s challenges with confidence, creativity, hope and, yes, joy.
