"The Other Swedes"
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~
<> Their Legacy "Messiah" Performances <>
1981
Dr. Elmer Copley
(1925-1991)
~ Remembering him as the "Messiah" conductor for the Bethany College "Centennial Celebration" performance
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~
<> Their Legacy "Messiah" Performances <>
1981
Dr. Elmer Copley
(1925-1991)
~ Remembering him as the "Messiah" conductor for the Bethany College "Centennial Celebration" performance
This was truly the second most important public performance in Bethany College's history. The first was for His Majesty, Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, during his United States Bicentennial – year tour of this country from April 2 through 28, 1976. This 1981 special Easter Sunday performance of Lindsborg's Bethany College Oratorio Society of Handel's Messiah was for the College's Centennial Year conducted by Dr. Elmer Copley with Bethany College President Dr. Arvin W. Hahn presiding.
For the "first-time" ever, this was televised around the world live from Lindsborg's Bethany College Presser Hall Auditorium. It was broadcast by PBS KPTS from Wichita with a viewership of 25 million. Jim Lehrer, of the nightly PBS “NewsHour,” was the host for this event.
Also a record was recorded and produced as shown below by Delta Records at the time. The cover of the record states that, "Much of the credit for the national prestige currently enjoyed by the Oratorio Society, and the development over the past two decades, is due to the expertise and leadership of the present conductor, Dr. Copley . . ."
A second televised Easter Sunday Messiah event occurred also in 1986, yet, it also added the Good Friday performance of Bach's 'St. Matthew's Passion." A review of the 1981 performance while announcing the 1986 performance titled: "An American Easter" is found near the end of this section. It so vividly describes the national and international acclaim of the Lindsborg Bethany College Messiah performances during the Copley period, nearing the ending of the 20th century. Press ctrl end to read "An American Easter."
For the "first-time" ever, this was televised around the world live from Lindsborg's Bethany College Presser Hall Auditorium. It was broadcast by PBS KPTS from Wichita with a viewership of 25 million. Jim Lehrer, of the nightly PBS “NewsHour,” was the host for this event.
Also a record was recorded and produced as shown below by Delta Records at the time. The cover of the record states that, "Much of the credit for the national prestige currently enjoyed by the Oratorio Society, and the development over the past two decades, is due to the expertise and leadership of the present conductor, Dr. Copley . . ."
A second televised Easter Sunday Messiah event occurred also in 1986, yet, it also added the Good Friday performance of Bach's 'St. Matthew's Passion." A review of the 1981 performance while announcing the 1986 performance titled: "An American Easter" is found near the end of this section. It so vividly describes the national and international acclaim of the Lindsborg Bethany College Messiah performances during the Copley period, nearing the ending of the 20th century. Press ctrl end to read "An American Easter."
There were more than 400 chorus members and 70 orchestra members for this televised performance.
This YouTube production from that televised broadcast was made possible by Chris Abercrombie,
former Lindsborg's Smoky Valley Historical Association President on September 22, 2010.
former Lindsborg's Smoky Valley Historical Association President on September 22, 2010.
Below is the Lindsborg, Kansas, Bethany College Messiah history of the earliest times that is found within this record album cover. It was composed by Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs Messiah historian writer and editor A. John Pearson who worked with Delta Records to produce this album.
Mr. Pearson writes that, "This historical summary of the first 100 years of the Messiah Festival is presented with acknowledgement to Dr. Elmer Copley for research into the history of the Messiah Festival in his work "Messiah on the Plains, 1882-1976, A History of The Bethany Oratorio Society," and to Dr. Emory Lindquist for material contained in his book, "Bethany in Kansas: The History of a College" (Bethany College Publications, 1975).
Mr. Pearson writes that, "This historical summary of the first 100 years of the Messiah Festival is presented with acknowledgement to Dr. Elmer Copley for research into the history of the Messiah Festival in his work "Messiah on the Plains, 1882-1976, A History of The Bethany Oratorio Society," and to Dr. Emory Lindquist for material contained in his book, "Bethany in Kansas: The History of a College" (Bethany College Publications, 1975).
NOTE: To read all moving images, press PAUSE and ARROWS to go to next page.
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*From the text found below titled: Dr. Elmer Copley -- Briefs us on Dr. Copley's educational background in Music and his studies at Juilliard School of Music in New York City. Check out the Special Personnel for this 1981 performance: Lambert Dahlsten Organist of 30 years at Bethany College and T. David Lowe Concertmaster, both of whom also studied at Juilliard; Roger Thorstenberg Trumpet Soloist who performed in U.S. Navy Bands; and Dr. David J. Higbee, Orchestra Conductor who earned three degrees in Music.
For the details, find them below. To read, press CTRL + to enlarge font size. Press CTRL - to decrease size.
For the details, find them below. To read, press CTRL + to enlarge font size. Press CTRL - to decrease size.
Jim Lehrer of the nightly PBS “NewsHour” is here interviewing Dr. Elmer Copley.
This YouTube production from that televised broadcast was made possible by Chris Abercrombie on December 7, 2010.
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Go HERE to 1986 Dr. Elmer Copley ~Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College "first" televised Holy Easter Week "American Easter."
SOURCES: Dr. Emory Lindquist's 1984, Hagbard Brase: Beloved Music Master, : 1975 book, Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college; The "Centennial Edition: Choruses from Handel's Messiah" record album by Delta Records, 1981; Ms. Karen Humphrey's 2012 Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing -- The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story; Online information; Bethany Magazines; Ms. Rebecca Copley.
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"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
