NEW YORK -- Would you get up at 4 a.m. for an opportunity to appear on national television? For 22 members of the Penn Glee Club the answer was a resounding "yes." The group sang several holiday carols for the Christmas Day episode of NBC's top-rated Today show yesterday, performing in front of Rockefeller Center's famed Christmas tree in New York City and drawing an audience of passers-by. Despite not meeting popular co-anchors Katie Couric and Matt Lauer or performing live on television, members of the club said the experience was exhilarating and well worth the lack of sleep. The club got the appearance by sending in a compact disc recording of their music. Today show staffers then invited the Glee Club to perform several holiday songs. For the group, the national exposure was an incredible opportunity, Wharton senior Erick Wollschlager said. College freshman Chris Neuhaus said he was thrilled to have the chance to perform a few songs on the venerable morning television show. "This whole Today show thing is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me," he said. Bruce Montgomery, in his 43rd year as Glee Club conductor, led the group through a medley of carols. Their voices drew a crowd of spectators who paused to listen and watch as the camera crew taped the performance. The Glee Club used their own arrangements of several popular Christmas songs, including "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells." Afterwards, on the bus ride back to campus, the Glee Club members said they were delighted with the event. "I thought we did really well," said Aki Peritz, a College sophomore. "We were on target. We got up there and we did what we wanted to do." "It was just a lot of fun," College freshman Abe Lo said. "It's a once in a lifetime experience."
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