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In 1862 when Abraham Lincoln was President of the United States, he signed an act creating a new educational system known as the land-grant colleges. At that time there were only 200 colleges in the U.S., and only 20 of them were state supported. The Kansas Legislature was the first to accept the provisions of the new act. So, historically, Kansas State University became the first of the nation’s land-grant colleges. (Today there are about 70 land-grant colleges, and at least one in each of the 50 states.) The University was founded on February 16, 1863. Since that time, instruction in music has been a feature throughout the history of the school. At first only fees were collected for music lessons. The faculty received no pay. It cost a student $8 a term for instruction on the melodeon, and $10 a term for piano. “The successful manner in which vocal music with calisthenics and light gymnastics is taught is an important attraction in this institution,” it was written as early as 1865. Shortly after the college was founded, the Choral Union was founded. In 1869 they performed The Cantata of Esther. From a college catalogue in 1864, this information is found: “Vocal music was taught both as a science and an art. It was not accepted as an industrial required by the schedule of studies, but heartily recommended to all students for its intrinsic worth and its valuable drill in vocalization. It was not presented as one of those industrials by which a livelihood was to be earned.” Some of that philosophy prevails today. The 58-member Kansas State Choir [the descendant of the Choral Union] is open to all of the more than 21,000 students at KSU. Auditions are held in the spring and fall. Most of the present choir members are from Kansas, and about 50% of them are non-music majors. During the winter of 1875, the Choral Union presented Balshazzar. Two years later they started singing in the chapel and were accompanied by organ for the first time. The Choral Union performed at the dedication of the new auditorium on December 14, 1904. On March 16, 1905, they gave the first of a series of annual concerts. The 124-student chorale was directed by Professor Olaf Valley who was very successful in choral work, glee clubs, oratorios, and even light operas. People came from miles around to attend the first annual concert. The roads, because of the heavy rains, were virtually impassable. “Much credit is due to the students for their excellent behavior pending the thunderstorm that raged about the building during the progress of the concert,” it was reported in the 1905 college newspaper. “The electric lights flared up and at one time went out altogether. But the perfect discipline of the singers and musicians prevented a break of any kind.” From 1913 to 1915, the chorus presented three Gilbert and Sullivan operas: Pinafore, The Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance. They sang Handel’s Messiah in 1916. Choral music continued to be popular at the university during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The Choir formerly was called the A Cappella Choir and was organized in 1945 by Luther Leavengood, former head of the KSU music department. William R. Fischer directed the group from 1954 until 1966 at which time Rod Walker joined the faculty of music and continues as its conductor. On November 11, 1970, when the new KSU Auditorium was dedicated, the choir was featured in the premiere performance of Gail Kubik’s A Record of Our Time with the Minnesota Symphony. Following that performance they premiered Ulysses Kay’s Parables for the American Choral Directors Association’s [ACDA] convention in Kansas City, MO. Also, at that convention they were a demonstration choir under the direction of Roger Wagner. Over the past three decades of activity, the Kansas State Choir has been the major contributor to the highly respected choral tradition enjoyed at Kansas State University. Since 1966, the choir has been selected thirty-two times to appear before state, regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, Music Teachers National Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Through the years the choir has become a familiar feature with concert audiences abroad. They appeared for a third time in Austria and Germany in 1996 and in the Spring of 1994 they performed in England and Wales.. March 1992 marked their initial concert tour of the Netherlands and Belgium and in 1989 they appeared in major Australian cities on a critically acclaimed Australian tour. The choir appeared as featured guest at the St. Moritz Festival during its 1987 concert tour of Switzerland and in 1985 completed a highly successful tour of Germany and Austria. They performed in England, Wales and Ireland in 1983 and in 1980 appeared before enthusiastic audiences in the Soviet Union and Poland. The choirs first European tour was in 1972 presenting concerts in Paris, Vienna, Zagreb, Belgrade, Prague, Berlin, London and Salzburg. Of the latter concert, the Demokratisches Volksblatt states: “Their performance was presented to the utmost perfection.” The choir also involves itself in the presentation of the major choral repertoire and has performed under the direction of Robert Shaw, John Alldis, Roger Wagner and Aaron Copland. Following a performance with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra a spokesman for the orchestra commented, “The professionalism they show can hardly be surpassed.” They have appeared on BBC London Television, Radio Poland, RTE Ireland and the Australian Broadcasting Co. For ten years they presented an annual Christmas program for CBS Radio, New York. The singers included in the Choir membership are students from all areas of academic endeavor. |
