Wayne State College - Spizz Yearbook (Wayne, NE)

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Wayne State's Choir, Orchestra, and Guest For a quarter century Handel's Messiah was the traditional Woyne tribute to the Christmas season. This year, however, that tradition was broken with the presentation of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. This work ranks os one of the masterworks of the ages. Prof. Antony Garlick directed his college choir of 120 voices, accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra. Guest soloists for this occasion were: Prof: Russel Anderson, baritone; Mrs. Erna Clanton of Omaha, contralto; and the Rev. John W. Boehr, also of Omaha, tenor. The six cantatas relate the notivity story, giving the whole work a narrative element that justifies the designation of oratorio. 24

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Concert Band Tours Surrounding Area This year's concert band consisted of 55 members under the direction of Dr. Raymond Kelton. The band presented two major concerts on campus and a tour of four towns—Oakland, Walthill, Wisner, and West Point. The performance at West Point was toped and broadcast by KHUB radio, Fremont. The band played the processional for the first trimester graduation held April 19, 1962. This culminated the year's activities. 23

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Soloists Present Bach's Christmas Oratorio Johann Sebastian Bach wos an intensely religious person. For twenty years he was director and composer of music in various cathedrals, his most .important position being cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig, Germany. He composed so much music that some was never published and it lay dormant for a hundred years. Mendelssohn gave Bach the status he deserved—that of one of the greatest musicians. The Christmas Oratorio was written especially for the Yuletide season in 1734. The work consists of six parts and wos not originally presented os a unit. Bach evidently presented it in parts for Christmas, New Year's and Epiphany ceremonies. 23