"Contacts
​For Bethany

"To Dr. Brase's splendid musical training and ideals the Oratorio Society owes its rank among
the finest choruses of the world." *


"A Time to Celebrate"
1882 - 1988
~ "Messiah" performances
recognized nationally and internationally

​" A 'Messiah' Moment " for Prince Wilhelm of Sweden in 1927

​A Swedish Oasis*
by
​Prince Wilhelm of Sweden
​

       "I have rarely heard music that has been so wholly sustained by inspired enthusiasm. The voices rang out, clear and beautiful; the orchestra was properly modulated without thereby losing any of its melodic beauty. Even the most difficult passages came off with flying colors. The unison was, in short, exemplary, and the oratorio welled forth like a mighty billow, filling the hall from floor to ceiling with beautiful harmonies. The tones lived. One could hear them vibrate with fervor and devotion, and it was easy to understand how they in this way have held generation after generation spellbound and how a whole continent can have nothing but praise for the results. It is verily as if this Messiah Chorus is dominated by an artistic inspiration, some primeval love creation that places it on a plane by itself. Possibly a musical critic with his trained ear may be able to detect a flaw here and there in the rendering; none the less, he can only give full hearted praise to the sincerity of feeling of integrity and purpose. For where enthusiasm, joined with love for the work, is found, there too is found something of the indescribable that speaks directly to the heart of men.  Then art has become productive; then it has attained its goal: to lift us outside ourselves so that we can get a glimpse of the immortality of genius and the flight of the spirit toward realms beyond the stars."

​For his whole story, go HERE.

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* In March of 1927, there was the Presser Hall groundbreaking ceremony with Prince Wilhelm of Sweden present carrying out the honors.  The Prince was so impressed with his day visit to Lindsborg and overwhelmed emotionally by the "short hour" of listening to the Messiah Chorus that he was compelled to share his experiences with other Swedes and Swedish Americans through The American-Scandinavian Review of February 1928. 

<< Prince Wilhelm of Sweden at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas >>

Source: "American-Scandinavian Review," February 1928

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​April 23, 1916

Conductor ​Josef Stransky
with
The Philharmonic Society of New York Orchestra and Bethany College Oratorio Society
for
Easter Messiah Festival

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​"To Dr. Brase's splendid musical training and ideals the Oratorio Society owes its rank among
the finest choruses of the world."
From a music critic looked back describing Dr. Hagbard Brase's achievements during those years. 

Made possible by Bethany College graduate on March 29, 2013, the late Chris Abercrombie.  ​BRASE! HALLELUJAH!
The Bethany College Oratorio Society has presented Handel's "Messiah" in Lindsborg, Kansas USA each Holy Week since 1882. Swedish-born Dr. Hagbard Brase (pronounced "bra-see"), was conductor of the Society between 1915 and 1946. Brase's 31 year tenure saw great growth in the popularity of the Messiah Festival, both in the size of audiences experiencing live performances
​ in Lindsborg and among radio listeners world-wide.  
​
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​Bethany College Music and Messiah Background
- The sacred music of Handel's Messiah was performed on "Palm Sunday" & "Easter Sunday" -
- The sacred music of Bach's St. Matthew's Passion was performed on Good Friday -

Go Here to Their “1882 on . . .” Bethany College Handel’s “Messiah" Performances
Go Here to "Messiah" Performers, Venues & Audiences, Press & Broadcasts
Go Here to Special 20th Century Messiah Performances by the Bethany College Oratorio Society
Go Here to Bethany College "Messiah Auditorium" / "Ling Auditorium" / "Ling Gymnasium" 1895 - 1946
Go Here to Samuel Thorstenberg ~ Remembering him as the "first" internationally acclaimed Bethany College                                     "Messiah Chorus" conductor
Go Here to Dr. ​Hagbard Brase ​~ Remembering him as the "second" internationally acclaimed Bethany College                                   "Messiah Chorus" conductor
Go Here to Dr. ​& Mrs. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering them and their 29 years of dedication to that Bethany College                             "Messiah" tradition of excellence 
​Go Here to Olsson's Influence ~ The Swenssons,' the Musicians' and Singers' "Messiah,"1882 on ... 
Go Here to Mrs. Alma Christina Lind Swensson ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the "First Lady" of                             Lindsborg, organizer of the "Messiah Chorus," and much more
                   ~ "Highlights" from Ms. Karen A. Humphrey’s book
Go Here to ​Handel's "Messiah" & Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion" ~ Described for viewers unfamiliar with these                                    oratorios
​Go Here to Dr. Mark Lucas ~ Honoring him as "Messiah" conductor for bringing the Holy Easter Lindsborg                                             “Oberammergau of the Plains" to a “new” world audience in 2020

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* Dr. Emory K. Lindquist, 1984, Hagbard Brase:  Beloved Music Master

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​​"Let Us Celebrate Them"
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