Graceland University - Acacia Yearbook (Lamoni, IA)

Page 56 text:

r,-v, ' .' . ' p 4 , 1 A CAPELLA Organizations which have been associated with the college for any length of time are often taken for granted. Few of our present students realize the A Capella chorus has like other college organizations grown to its present size and quality from a meagre beginning. In 1923 Miss Carlile conceived the idea of organizing a chorus for the sing- ing of unaccompanied music. Previous to this time there were no unaccom- panied choral groups in this part of Iowa and few in any part of the state. A Capella singing was comparatively a new thing, for this reason Miss Carlile's initiative was the more commendable. Crraceland's musical activities consisted of the Oratorio society, a glee club, a ladies' quartet, and a men's quartet. Miss Carlile combined the two quartets and selected from the town and college eight other singers, making in all, a group of sixteen people, and this group became the first A Capella chorus. The work of organizing the chorus did not end, however, with the choosing of voices. Next came the difficult task of developing a repertoire of suitable music. At first the chorus sang only part of its program unaccompanied, but gradually it grew away from the practice of singing accompanied music until at last it sang only A Capella. Miss Carlile has never been satisfied with merely using glee club music, and she is now the director of a chorus with a fine repertoire from such masters as: Di Lasso, Palestrina, Elgar, Bantock, Cesar-cui, Gretchaninoff, and Christiansen. The A Capella also is an honor organization and those who are chosen as members because of their ability are deemed very fortunate. The membership is now made of twenty-four college people. 48

Page 55 text:

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Page 57 text:

,f A fl' ,A-Jlpilf. THE LAMONI-GRACELAND ORATORIO SOCIETY Une of the oldest organizations on the Graceland campus completed another year of active service. Comprised of both townspeople and college people, the organization has been the greatest force in providing a source of knowledge and appreciation for good music among the members of the community. Under the capable and devoted leadership of its director, Miss Carlile the Oratorio Society has presented special programs for Homecoming, Thanks- giving, Christmas, Commencement, and assisted in the presentation of the Messiah during the general church conference at Independence. No doubt the most outstanding programs were the rendition of the Messiah Wednes- day of Commencement week and the Worship service of Christmas music just previous to the Christmas recess. The chorus practiced each Sunday afternoon and sang an anthem for the worship services on Sunday morning and by the end of the year it had devel- oped into an outstanding musical organization. This year the chorus has met in the balcony of the Coliseum for practice and singing anthems and the effect of a hidden chorus has been very satisfactory and novel both to the audience and the members. Besides Miss Carlile as director, the organization has had the faithful and capable service of Miss Rae Lysinger as accompanist. The officers of the or- ganization for the year were: Roy A. Cheville, presidentg Ioy Davis, secretaryg Neal Deaver, treasurer, and Paul and Harvey Campbell, librarians. 49 f w.f4A-.4