Jamestown Choruses Celebrate Spring Rutter’s flute solo, Suite Antique, and Kathy Durnell and Amy...

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Published by the American Union of Swedish Singers In its 121st year of Performing Svenska Sånger in America

Volume CXXI June, 2013 No. 6

The Jamestown choruses combined for

their Annual Spring Concert on Sunday,

May 19, 2013. The concert was held in

the parlors of First Lutheran Church in

Jamestown, New York. Over 100 friends

and family enjoyed a varied program

including gospel, patriotic and popular

selections. Swedish selections included

Å jänta å ja’, Lovad vare Herren Gud, Dansen på Sunnanö and Hälsa dem där-hemma. A new, challenging piece for the

choruses this year was a medley of songs

from the Broadway show The Jersey Boys. The show is the story of Frankie

Valli and the Four Seasons. Our medley

featured December 1963 (Oh, What a Night), Working My Way Back to You, Stay, Let’s Hang On, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You and Who Loves

You. Damkören performed I Can Feel the Rhythm, Linda Carlson performed

John Rutter’s flute solo, Suite Antique, and Kathy Durnell and Amy Stenta sang

There’s a Song Inside Me.

We started preparing for the program in

mid-January and performed a dress re-

hearsal for the residents of Tanglewood

Manor, an assisted living facility where

our director, Mary Schmidt, serves as

Musical Activities Director. Her hus-

band Andy very ably serves as our ac-

companist. We are very thankful to have

the two of them lead us.

Our next activity will be our annual

Ham & Fish Dinner served at the Viking

Lake Park on the beautiful shores of

Chautauqua Lake, in Maple Springs,

New York. The dinner will be served on

Sunday, June 9, from 1:00 to 4:00

p.m. The Viking Male Chorus members

prepare the ham, fish, mashed potatoes,

peas and rolls, and the Damkören mem-

bers serve and provide the cupcakes for

dessert.

Our next performance will be on Satur-

day, June 15, 2013. We will again be at

the Viking Lake Park, singing for the

Independent Order of Vikings National

Convention dinner. Our program will

consist of old favorites accompanied by

Viking Male Chorus member Paul Sand-

strom on the banjo. Then, preparations

will begin for the Scandinavian Folk Fes-

tival in mid-July.

Ah, summer in Chautauqua County—

gotta love it!

- Amy Stenta

Jamestown Choruses Celebrate Spring

The Viking Male Chorus and Damkören posing for a picture at their Spring Concert on May 19.

June 2013 MUSIKTIDNING page 2 of 7

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE

AMERICAN UNION OF SWEDISH SINGERS (Organized November 24, 1892)

A Musical Journal in English and Swedish

"To teach, cultivate and promote Chorus singing, principally Swedish."

ELLEN SVENGALIS, Editor 204 Wyassup Road

No. Stonington, CT 06359

Tel: (860) 535-0362 Fax: (860) 535-0378 E-mail: [email protected]

CHARLES UPCRAFT Business Manager

4525 Parkside Lane Edina MN 55436

Phone: (952) 928-8173 E-Mail: [email protected]

JAMES R. MAURICE Subscriptions

445 E. North Water St. E2203 Chicago, IL 60611-5542

Tel: (312) 670-9570 Winter (Jan-Apr) tel: (727) 729-6269

E-mail (all yr.): [email protected]

OFFICERS OF AUSS 2012-2016 President: Alana Mapes

25500 NW Svea Dr. Hillsboro, OR 97124

Phone: (503) 647-5486 E-mail: [email protected]

Vice President: Christine Johnson

39201 Polo Club Dr. #105 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-5626


Secretary: Kelly Otto

P.O. Box 20835 Portland, OR 97294


Financial Secretary: James R. Maurice

445 E. North Water St. E2203 Chicago, IL 60611-5542 Phone: (312) 670-9570

Winter (Jan-Apr): 670 Island Way #904 Clearwater, FL 33767

FL phone: (727) 729-6269 E-mail (all yr.): [email protected]

Treasurer: Charles Upcraft

4525 Parkside Lane Edina MN 55436

Phone: (952) 928-8173 E-Mail: [email protected]

Librarian: Robert Voedisch

722 N. Haddow St. Arlington, IL 60004

Phone: (842)255-7253 E-mail: [email protected]

Director-in-Chief: Sherry Dreyfuss

11665 Gleneagles Lane Belvidere, IL 61008

Phone: (815) 885-1424 Fax: 815-885-2250

E-mail: [email protected]

Asst. Director-in-chief: Ken Olsson P.O. Box 445

Jamaica, VT 05343 Phone: 802-874-4366


Asst. Director-in-chief: Vance Sele 314 NW Treglown Ct. Hillsboro OR 97124


DIVISION PRESIDENTS (2010-2014)

Eastern: Ellen Svengalis 204 Wyassup Rd.

No. Stonington, CT 06359 Phone: (860) 535-0362


Central: David Winter 3550 N. Lake Shore #1004

Chicago, IL 60657 Phone: (773) 549-1678


Western: Karen Jones 2521 S. W. Bertha Boulevard

Portland, OR 97201 Phone: (503) 244-1469


OTHER OFFICES Website Coordinator:

Ellen Svengalis 204 Wyassup Rd.

No. Stonington, CT 06359 Phone: (860) 535-0362


Chorus Recruitment Chairman: Carl-Erik Westberg

P. O. Box 178 Londonderry, VT 05148 Phone: (802) 824-6578 Fax: (802) 824-3358


Membership Directory Coordinator: Kelly Otto

P.O. Box 20835 Portland, OR 97294


HONORARY PRESIDENTS, AUSS

Donald Lamont Carl-Erik Westberg

Jody Jones Joseph P. O’Leary

HON. DIRECTORS-IN-CHIEF

Robert Read Arthur W. Elander

Ernest Gunn Jeffrey DeLay

MUSIKTIDNING SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Please send material to the Musiktidning Editor. If possible, please send both stories and photos via E-mail ([email protected])

Material for the September issue is due Sept. 8.

President’s Message Alana Mapes, AUSS President, [email protected]

I love it when I hear from other AUSS singers across the

nation. Last month, I got a phone call from David Winter,

Central Division President. He had been browsing on the

AUSS website and was excited about all the information that

was there. He suggested that maybe many members have not

been aware of this wonderful resource, and it might be a topic

to address in the Musiktidning. So, David... here it is, and

thanks for the idea.

Go online, and type in: american union of swedish singers,

or even AUSS, and you are on your way. Once it comes up,

you will see a picture of all the singers on stage for the Grand

Concert. There is a fun slide show of candid pictures on the

right, and a nice WELCOME. It also tells about the objec-

tives of the AUSS. It reports that there are 24 choruses, and

lists the states where they are located. The topics you can

click on are: About Us, CHF, Choruses, Coming Events, Pic-

tures, Musiktidning, Song Translations, Links and Contact Us.

Under “About Us” you can get information about the his-

tory, membership, music, Musiktidning, tours, conventions,

and the CHF, with a link to the Museum in Midway Village in

Rockford, IL.

The CHF section has a wealth of information. It tells about

the Singer’s Museum Room, the Archives, and the book A Century of Song. This section explains the Seth and Gloria

Hokanson Music Scholarship Program. It discusses require-

ments for applying, and even has application forms that can

be downloaded. It explains where to send the applications

and the timeline for getting them in. The CHF section also

tells of the AUSS Records at Augustana College. You can

lookup information from 1896 to 2005. The arrangement of

the collection, box number and contents are clearly listed and

easy to follow. Another section under the CHF is information

about the financial support of the organization and the 1892

Campaign. It explains grant distribution, support opportuni-

ties and even includes a donation form that can be printed.

The “Choruses” link lists the choruses by name, tells their

city and state, when and where they rehearse, and the contact

person.

“Coming Events” lists national events, including the event

name, the location, and the date. There are also pages for

local events. As choruses send in their information, Ellen

posts the state, the chorus sponsoring the event, the location,

the date, time, cost, if there is any, etc.

There is a “Pictures” link. This is really fun to look at, and

it always brings a smile as I watch a slide show of past AUSS

events from 2002 to 2012. It is a treat to sit back and enjoy a

trip down memory lane viewing pictures that have been sent

to Ellen.

Continued on page 5


The Arpi Swedish Male Chorus of

Metropolitan Detroit, and the Scandia

Women's Chorus of Michigan presented

their Spring Concert on Saturday, May

18 at the beautiful United Methodist

Church located in Novi, Michigan.

The concert was entitled "This is My

Country," under the direction of Ron

Houser, Arpi director, and Ruth Anne

Zimmer, Scandia director. Mary Baker

was the accompanist, along with chorus

members Margaret Retting, guitar ac-

companist, and Ann Steffani, flute ac-

companist.

The program opened with the com-

bined choruses performing the American

and the Swedish National Anthems. The

combined choruses then sang Woody

Guthrie's This Land Is Your Land. The Scandia Women's Chorus was then

showcased singing the following: Out In the Open by Ulf Lundell (often referred

to as "Sweden's Bob Dylan"), Med En Enkel Tulipan by Jules Sylvain, What A Wonderful World by G.D. Weiss (this

song was used in the first five episodes

of the ABC network sitcom "Family

Matters"), and Barndomshemmet (same

tune as On The Banks of The Wabash) by

Paul Dresser.

The combined choruses then sang Kör-trall by Kjell Lönnå (a Swedish com-

poser, choir director and television host).

The Arpi Men's Chorus then performed

an American Sea Chanty Blow Ye Winds, arranged for the Arpi chorus by director

Ron Houser. Next was Sverige by Sten-

hammar, followed by Sköna Maj by L.

M. Been, and then two more selections

arranged for Arpi by its director: Free At Last and Music Shall Live.

The focus of the concert was the com-

bined choruses performing the program

dedicated title This Is My Country by Al

Jacobs.

The concert concluded with the com-

bined choruses leading an audience

sing-along of old favorites: Hälsa dem därhemma, You’re A Grand Old Flag,

and God Bless America. A reception followed the concert. Our

Arpi singer, Pastor William Lindholm,

beautifully audio recorded the concert.

CD recordings are available.

- Cortland R. Book, Arpi First Tenor

Spring Concert in Novi, Michigan

At left: Ann Steffani accompanies on the flute. At right is piano accompanist Mary Baker.


The Scandinavian Women's Chorus of

Rhode Island had its annual spring con-

cert on June 9 at Bethany Lutheran

Church in Cranston, RI. What a wonder-

ful day to sing about flowers and bees

and everything that awakens after a long

winter - that is the denominator in Swed-

ish music.

We started with the Swedish National

Anthem because our concert was so

close to June 6, Sweden’s National Day.

Stephen Moye had arranged the anthem

in 3-part women's chorus and everyone

in the audience was welcome to sing

along.

We sang The song inside me, Vårvin-dar Friska (Lee Ann Hurtubise did the

English translation), Fryksdalsdans, Små Blommorna, The Echoing Green, Count your Blessings, and Vår.

For intermission, so the chorus mem-

bers could get a breather, Jessica Stens-

rud on violin and Stephen Moye on or- gan, played a duet of Edvard Grieg’s

Våren (Last Spring), Op. 34, No 2.

Stephen arranged the music just for

them. It was just wonderful.

The chorus continued with Fiolen Min,

with violin solo by Jessica Stensrud

(Stephen Moye created a good arrange-

ment of the piano and the violin part),

Den blomstertid nu kommer, and Ved Rundarne (a Norwegian song by Edward

Grieg). We decided that if we should

call ourselves Scandinavian Women's

Chorus we should have some songs

from other Scandinavian countries. That

was followed by Det spirar i Guds örta-gard, with a trio of Jessica Stensrud,

Astrid Drew and Lee-Ann Hurtubise,

Under the Greenwood Tree, Ain't He Sweet, Paul and his chicken (another

Norwegian silly song that was fun to

sing), Dans på logen, and Sugartime.

After the concert everyone enjoyed

coffee and home baked goods provided

by the chorus.

This was the last event of the season

for the chorus.

- Astrid S Drew, SWCRI

SWCRI’s Spring Concert Features Norwegian and Swedish Music

Director Stephen Moye acknowledges the audience applause.

Members of the Scandinavian Women's Chorus of Rhode Island, singing at the Spring Concert are (left to right): Shirley Nordquist, Astrid M. Drew, Lee-Ann Hurtubise,

Christin Zaikowsky, Astrid S. Drew, Barbara Lundgren, and Jessica Stensrud.

Den blomstertid nu kommer by Israel Kolmodin

This song is often sung at graduations.

English translation:

The blooming time now comes

with great joy and beauty.

You draw near, sweet summer,

when grass and crops grow.

With gentle and lively heat

to everything that has died,

the sun's rays approach,

and all will be re-born.

The fair flower meadows

and arable noble grains,

the rich herb beds

and grove's green trees,

They will remind us of

the goodness of God's wealth,

we ponder the grace

that lasts all year.

One hears birds singing

with diverse sounds,

must not then our tongue

praise the Lord God?

My soul raises up the glory of God;

Tuning up your joyful song

to those who wish us close

and rejoice at once!


Funeral

Homes

Peace of mind for you

and your family

Preplan your funeral. Complete selection of burial and cremation services.

Janet Nelson • Funeral director

5149 N. Ashland Avenue • Chicago • 773-561-5147

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“Musiktidning” doesn’t need a lot of

explaining. Past issues are online for all

to enjoy (user name is svenska, password

is 2008conv).

“Song Translations” is one section that

is very helpful. As we sing the beautiful

Scandinavian songs, it is helpful to un-

derstand what we are singing. We can

sing with more expression and passion

when we understand the message. There

are so many songs in this section. It is

helpful to us in Portland, as we sing all

our program in Scandinavian languages

now. (We did do the National Anthems

for the US and Canada in English.)

There is a section called “Links” that

can connect people with other Swedish

groups throughout the US.

The last section is “Contact Informa-

tion.” This is to help people who have

questions for the AUSS.

Ellen Svengalis is our outstanding

Webmaster. She does a tremendous

job. The information and layout of the

AUSS website is very complete and pro-

fessional. It makes us look great.

THANKS ELLEN!

- Alana Mapes

Swedish Glee Club - Waukegan pre-

sented their Spring Concert on Sunday,

June 2nd at St. Andrew Lutheran Church

in Mundelein, IL.

The full chorus opened the concert

with Together, America and Du Gamla, Du Fria. A trio consisting of Evert

Schmidt, Deb Curren and Jeff Delay

sang You are Holy. There were many

selections from the Men's chorus, the

Women's chorus and the Full cho-

rus. The finale was Majsång (Sköna

Maj).

Guest performers were Chris Sepos

and Rachel Young, an eclectic

duo. They performed several selections

ranging from classic to country to jazz.

Chris is a published singer/songwriter

who can play several instruments. Ra-

chel is a former classical singer. Follow-

ing the concert, the Singers’ Wives

group provided refreshments.

The After the Concert Dinner was held

at Jimmy's Char House Restaurant in

Libertyville, IL.

We are in the planning stages of our

Annual Picnic to be held in July. Tell

you all about that in the fall.

- Pat Minkler, Swedish Glee Club - Wau-

kegan

Swedish Glee Club - Waukegan Presents Their Spring Concert

Above: Swedish Glee Club - Waukegan presenting their Spring Concert on June 2, directed by Jeff DeLay. Marcia Tradell is the accompanist.

Below: Deb Curren and Evert Schmidt singing a duet.

Continued from page 2

President’s...


For Swedish Americans, we are enter-

ing a season of celebration. And, the

American Swedish Institute Male Chorus

will participate enthusiastically, singing

at the Midsummer celebration and the

Svenskarnasdag celebration.

When the American Swedish Institute

reopened last June 30th to a gathering of

9000 people, the celebration went from

9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. But, this was

too late for Midsummer. This June 15th

will be the first Midsummer celebrated in

the classic Turnblad Mansion and the

new, Swedish modern Nelson Cultural

Center.

There will be singers, dancers, and

fiddlers from both Sweden and Swedish

America. Our chorus will sing early in

the morning of the 15th to help kick off

the celebration, singing the national an-

thems of both Sweden and America. We

will also sing songs about beautiful

Swedish summers.

One of the best dancing couples at ASI

will miss Midsummer at ASI because

they will dancing in Sweden. Yes, there

are strong connections between Sweden

and America.

And on Sunday, June 23rd, the ASI

Male Chorus will join our St. Paul Male

Chorus friends as we celebrate Svenskar-

nasdag in beautiful Minnehaha Park in

Minneapolis. Svensakarnasdag has been

celebrated since 1933 in this wonderful

park that surrounds nationally famous

Minnehaha Falls.

Minnehaha is "the beloved" of Hiawa-

tha, the Ojibway hero of the great Long-

fellow poem, "The Song of Hiawatha."

The Visitors Center is even a replica of

Longfellow's famous home at Harvard

University. But, there is a Swedish

touch: a handsome statue of Gunnar

Wennerberg, the 19th century Swedish

poet and composer.

We will sing on a beautiful outdoor

stage that has been graced by such ac-

complished artists as Lulea's Lennart

Johansson. Our two choruses will be

alternately led by our two wonderful

directors. We will sing our two national

anthems and also several Swedish sum-

mer songs.

The ASI Male Chorus wishes everyone

a wonderful summer.

- Richard Sandeen, ASI Male Chorus

ASI Male Chorus June Celebrations

Sveas Söner of Rockford, Illinois at their Spring Concert on April 28. Left to right are: Jerry Lofquist, Ralph Pullin, Steve James, Wayne Hoffstrom, Dave Wood, Dan Lindberg, Don Anderson, Chuck Dreyfuss, and Robert Smith. Sherry Dreyfuss is their director.

Sveas Söner Concert


Shown at right is a flyer that the Portland, Oregon cho-

ruses send out, and distribute at all of their events. “Austin

Buchholtz, our resident graphic artist, and wonderful bass

does it for us,” says Alana Mapes.

There are two across on a standard 8½ x 11 sheet of pa-

per, which are then cut in half for mass distribution. There

is also a single JPG copy for chorus members to e-mail to

family and friends.

Besides the handout, they keep their website up-to-date

with events. They also have a Facebook page where they

post news.

How Portland Does Publicity

Thank You!

Another singing season is coming to a close. So, too, is

the Musiktidning season. Our next issue will be in Septem-

ber.

I want to thank everyone who has contributed pictures and

articles this year. The paper cannot happen without you!

A big thank you to my proofreader, and husband, Kendall

Svengalis. His writing skills have been invaluable, and help

make the paper look more professional!

Tack, alla!

Editor’s Notes Ellen Svengalis, Muiktidning Editor, [email protected]

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Jamestown Choruses Celebrate Spring Rutter’s flute solo, Suite Antique, and Kathy Durnell and Amy...

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