Finlandia University - Yearbook (Hancock, MI)

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CHOIR REHEARSAL March 27 on a chartered Greyhound Bus. They ap- peared in Newberry, Ka- leva, and Detroit, Michi- gan, Wfarren, Fairport, Ash- tabula, and Conneaut, Ohio, and De Kalb, Illi- nois. The program for the concerts included hymns, spirituals and a wide varie- . ty of choral selections. t Among the selections rendered. were Saareila Palaa-Sibelius, G0 Lovely Rose-Eric Tihman, Cargoes-Lutkin, and selections from the mo-tet fesu Priceless Treasure-Bach, besides featuring instrumental selections and vocal solos by the members of the choral group. The choir members ,,.- were quite nervous with suspense at the first concert, and were under pressure .throughout the tour especially while performing the more difficult numbers. They gained confidence with each appearance, singing with remarkable to-nal balance and flexibility. The choir was cordially received in every .city by enthusiastic audi- ences. The hosptiality and excellent food furnished by the various churches provided relaxation and energy to an otherwise strenuous schedule. The choir returned on April 5 to resume their studies, but mostly to relate and relive the incidents of the trip. The last major performance, held-at the ,Hancock High School Auditorium, was the Spring Concert, consisting -of almost the same repertoire used on the tour. This concert, which was considered the ch'oir's finest rendition of the year, was a festive occasion complete with flowers and male ushers dressed in tuxedos. The success of the A Cappella Cho-ir in 1947-48 was. due not only to the director and the choir members themselves, but all those people who promoted the tour in their respective areas. Each member of the choir felt it a privilege to be a representative of Suomi College. Espcially for those who were graduated, the participation in the choir will be one of their most cherished memories. SOPRANOS TENORS y ALTO-S BASSES Grace Ekola Oliver Hanninen Paula Erwin Tom Asuma Eunice Erkkila Richard Hill Barbara Greene , Tauno Jarvinen Janet Girard Earl Jacobson Florence Hautamaki Wayne Kuusisto Grace Hampton Ed. Klemmetl' Helen Hill Robert Long Lois Isaac Roberl' Richardson Mrs. lla Hill Norman Lund Ruth Isackila Ed. Takkunen Marian Johnson Phillip Luttio lla Kaskinen Carl Tamminen Elma Kalliomaa Frank Richards Dorothy Kinnon Raymond Tuuri Rauha Koski Toivo Rosenberg Rachel Mykkanen Gusl' Wuorinen Rose Marie Marnich - Helen Taipale Joyce Mickelsen Fern Tormala Lois Rahkola Page fifty-two ,aj . I '12, -

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One of the oldest extra-curricular activities in Suomi College is the par- ticipation of students in the college chorus. However, the choir is extra-curricular only in a theoretical sense. In reality it involves persistence, patience, enthusi- asm, and hard work, with satisfaction being the only reward. These requisites give it a more serious complexion than most of the other college organizations, and along with its long established reputation the A Cappella, Choir merits be- ing considered an institution. . Although the training and direction of the choir is done' by the head of the Music Department, its personnel include students from all departments. The prominence- of- the college chorus emerged during the twenty-five years when Prof. Martti Nisonen was the Director of Music. The success of the choral work, both past and future, should be a fitting tribute to his many years of unselfish service to Suomi College. . Since October, 1946, Arthur Hill has been the Director of Music. Under the direction of Mr. Hill, the popularity of the Choir has increased. He began, his work by building up the choir library, also by raising the qualifications for choir members by giving individual tryouts. Due to our enrollment being com- paratively small, Director Hill had 'fewer students-from which to- choose. Con- sequently he has had to cope with the handicap of working with students who have had little or no musical training. Having developed an amateur group into one of the foremost musical organizations in the Upper Peninsula is his greatest accomplishment. Giving concerts and going on tours is only the superficial aspect of choir work. The daily rehearsals and weekly section rehearsals constitute the actual work. The following is a typical routine of a rehearsal. As soon as the members take their seats, about five minutes are devoted to chromatic vocalizing, exer- cises in increasing and decreasing volume, singing chords arranged so that each section has practice in holding the 4'third or color note. Mr. Hill demands good posture-feet flat on the floor-which is conducive to good breath control and keener mental attitude. He stresses holding the musichigh, enabling everyone to see the stick . Mr. 'Hill emphasizes most that each member is a unit of a functioning whole, therefore, he exhorts the members to listen to each other to secure balance and perfect blending. Singing in different auditoriums and churches under varied acoustic con- ditions was always a challenging experience for the choir. After singing -in the music room where sounds easily reverberate, each member felt lost in a large auditorium because it seemed like he was singing a solo. A This condition prob- ably contributed much to the usually unsuccessful dress rehearsals' in an empty auditorium. . The A Cappella Choir made several public appearances throughout the year. The first was a concert at the Finnish Ev.'Luth. Church of Hancock, and participation in the Dedication,Program of the Nisonen Memorial Organ at the- K. Nikander Hallju The choir, under the directio-n of Mr. Hill, gave a demonstration of a typical rehearsal at the Vocal Clinic, composed of music teachers in this area. A 1 The first major appearance was the Christmas Concert at the Hancock .High School Auditorium. The performance was well' attended by an appreciative audience. Some of the selections were Adoramus -Te by Palestr-ina, In Heaven Above arranged by Christiansen, Hallelujah' Chorus by Beethoven,. Carol of the Bells A by Leonto-vitch, and other numbers with solos by individual members of the choir. The culmination and reward for two semesters of rehearsal was the first extended tour in the history. of the A Cappella Choir. through Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. After El. great deal of preparation, the choir left on t - Page fifty-one . . .,. . .:. ' ' : ., . . ,. f-:. ' Aff: -1--' 7-'75-.75 '-f': 1' J- -1' TU--41 ' 'A' 57 1 '-.'e-fn'- f 'f Z 1:1524 ' -. we E'::SL!i:? 'f 'frMafw - f -i v' ' ' 3-rfg.25.'e.:: - -v '-1 '- 'f - ' 5'fZi' vf -we- f-v ie ew- '1 'Qmr - K--A- -w ruff

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