Grand View University - Viking Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

Page 18 text:

Grand View Rebuilds Its Choir Grand View's choir has undergone a major transforma- tion this year. The choir had dwindled to relatively small and fairly inactive group within the past few years, but this year's singers, under the direction of Mrs. Carol Stewart has turned itself into a very respectable organization. The choir is made up of 50 voices, most of them fresh- men, many of whom sang under Mrs. Stewart's guidance at Des Moines Lincoln High School. The group presented a ltravelling performance in March, visiting many Lutheran churches throughout the state. l 12 LEFT: Grand View Acappella Choir and Singers. ABOVE: Choir and Singers perform during Christmas Convocation un- der the direction of Asst. Professor of Music Mrs. Carol Stew art. BELOW: Professor of Music and English Mr. Robert Speed lectures to his Music Theory class.

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Busy year for GVC folk dancers A reunion and tour were the main projects of the Folk Dancers this year. The Folk Dancers, 30 enthusiastic stu- dents, were led by director Karen Bason. Elected to the Presidential Board were chairman Julie Gay, and Mary Bardole and Anne Harbison, Pythmouth Place, Wallace Elemen- tary School, Luther Park, Scotish Right Park, and the Danish American Foundation in Chicago were among the places the group performed at. A tour over spring break included all parts of Iowa, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Luck, Wisconsin. In January the Folk Dancers held their first annual reunion. Approxi- mately 100 present and past Folk Dancers attended. The weekend re- union began with a social hour and dancing in the gym on Saturday. On Sunday a breakfast of Abelskivver fDanish Apple Pancakesj was served before the group attended church ser- vices at Grand View Memorial Church Besides the performances the Folk Dancers activities included a hayrack ride, Christmas party and caroling, fat the Christmas party they did not ex- change gifts, but donated this money to a charityj, a toboggan party, a campout and a teaching workshop. The Folk Dancers meet on a basis of three to five hours a week. Front row: Denny Shafer, Julie Gay, pres.g Steve Jessen, Ingrid Stundins, Sue Widlund, Ron Asklund, Mary Bardole, pres., Joe Kelly, Julia Kirstin, Kurt Juhl. Back row: Mrs. Karen Bason, Kevin Wissink, Barb Konopacki, Marna Lund, May Janssen, Janet Genzen, Steve Gustafson, Sandy Pavlik, Karen Duus, Peggy Sheehy, Bob Johansen. Not pictured: Anne Harbison, pres.g Nancy Hartman, Jane Smith, Michelle, Mike Steven.

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Carol Stewart directs Grand View choir Jazz, choir workshop at Grand View Togetherness and fundamentals were stressed this year when Mrs. Carol Stewart, assistant professor of music at Grand View, held a jazz and show choir workshop in the school gymnasium. Participants of the workshop included: two college di- rectors, 22 college students, 45 high school directors, 200 high school students, three junior high school directors and 15 junior high school students. Guest clinician Ron Hellems of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Sue Oatts assisted Mrs. Stewart in showing current styles of swing choir literature, choreography, original accompaniments, and techniques of vocal jazz improvisa- tions. During the noon hour a video-tape of Indiana's three leading swing choirs was shown. Stewart and Oatts then revealed famous swing choir gimmicks which included flash potts, smog illusions and retreats. Many demonstra- tions were given plus a performance by Stewart's group, Steppin Up, which is comprised of past high school swing choir members. Unique organization was expressed especially when half of the group worked under the dance instruction of Mr. Hellems while the other half were taught current swing choir styles by Mrs. Stewart. When the day came to an end, the approximately 300 clinic members from throughout the state had received an intensive demonstration and instruction on what a swing choir is all about.