"In Lindsborg, the Messiah is religion...a conviction of truth... high purpose … that lifts... resounds in 'Hallelujahs.' " - New York Times, 1939*
It is the Oberammergau of the Plains ...Its Messiah festival is called by critics "the finest of its kind in the world" - Reader's Digest April 1944 *
It is the Oberammergau of the Plains ...Its Messiah festival is called by critics "the finest of its kind in the world" - Reader's Digest April 1944 *
Scientist Emil O. Deere
Swensson's Musicians' and Singers' Messiah,1882 on ...
Due to Swedish American Bethany College founder and second president Dr. Rev. Carl Aaron Swensson's and his wife Alma Christina Lind Swensson's love for music, and, especially, the Messiah, with a growing chorus which would one day exceed 500 singers, the wheels were set in motion for little Swedish Lindsborg to become worldwide known to highbrow musical circles and societies due to the excellent Swedish professors of the Music Department at Bethany College, most notably Alma Swensson, Hagbard Brase, Samuel Thorstenberg, Thure Jaderborg, Oscar Thorsen and their "first dean" of the College of Fine Arts, professor Oscar Lofgren, a position he filled from 1918 to 1948 (the same thirty (30) year timespan of that of his colleague, professor Emil O. Deere, who would serve as "first dean" of the College of Arts and Sciences).
From fourth Swedish American Bethany College President Emory Lindquist in his 1975 book, Bethany in Kansas, a history of a college, on page 39, we read about Swensson's lovely wife, Alma -- touching on a significant role she played in the creation of the Messiah performances:
"The great career of Carl Swensson was shared and supported by his wife, Alma. She came as his young bride to Lindsborg in September 1880, from Moline, Illinois. She was a talented singer and organist. The Swenssons planned together the presentations of the Messiah and Alma served as the conductor in rehearsals the first year, and at the renditions she was a soloist.
"Alma Swensson had an outstanding record in women’s work within the Augustana Lutheran Church. Its national Women’s Missionary Society was organized in her home in June, 1892, and she served as the recording secretary. She was the first and long-time editor of the official periodical of the Society. Mrs. Swensson taught music in the early years of the College and served as organist of the Bethany Lutheran Church for forty (40) years. She was a member of the Oratorio Society Chorus [for 55 years] until two years before her death."
In 2012, a book on this woman of strength, integrity and graciousness, sure of her mission in life, was published, titled, Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing -- The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story. Its author is former Bethany College Vice President Karen A. Humphrey, the wife of former Lindsborg Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor Charles W. Humphrey. For more about Ms. Humphrey's book on this Swedish lady, who, through her gifts, was able to bring worldwide musical attention to a little Swedish town located on the Great Plains of Kansas, click on Mrs. Swensson's portrait.
"The great career of Carl Swensson was shared and supported by his wife, Alma. She came as his young bride to Lindsborg in September 1880, from Moline, Illinois. She was a talented singer and organist. The Swenssons planned together the presentations of the Messiah and Alma served as the conductor in rehearsals the first year, and at the renditions she was a soloist.
"Alma Swensson had an outstanding record in women’s work within the Augustana Lutheran Church. Its national Women’s Missionary Society was organized in her home in June, 1892, and she served as the recording secretary. She was the first and long-time editor of the official periodical of the Society. Mrs. Swensson taught music in the early years of the College and served as organist of the Bethany Lutheran Church for forty (40) years. She was a member of the Oratorio Society Chorus [for 55 years] until two years before her death."
In 2012, a book on this woman of strength, integrity and graciousness, sure of her mission in life, was published, titled, Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing -- The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story. Its author is former Bethany College Vice President Karen A. Humphrey, the wife of former Lindsborg Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor Charles W. Humphrey. For more about Ms. Humphrey's book on this Swedish lady, who, through her gifts, was able to bring worldwide musical attention to a little Swedish town located on the Great Plains of Kansas, click on Mrs. Swensson's portrait.
- Alma Christina Lind Swensson -
1859 - 1939
Source: Forget-Me-Not, The Annual of Bethany College, 1902, page 96.
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And, to follow this incredible "sacred musical story" found in this rural Main Street Swedish American town, click on Their Bethany College Handel's Messiah Performances; then, on Messiah Performers, Venues, Press, Broadcasts & Audiences; and finally on "Messiah" Auditorium, Ling Auditorium.
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- The patrons of a Holy Easter Messiah on their way to Messiah Auditorium later referred to as Ling Auditorium -
the way they were
- The patrons of a Holy Easter Messiah on their way to Messiah Auditorium later referred to as Ling Auditorium -
the way they were
Photograph by Lydia Sohlberg Deere
*Source: Emory Lindquist's Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, page 168.
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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, or obviously concluded it is not.
Copyright © 2018 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
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, or obviously concluded it is not.
Copyright © 2018 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
