21, 1955
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
'U' Choral Union Starts 77th Musical Year Old History -
Try FOLLETT'S First
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The University Choral Union
begins its 77th consecutive year
of performance this fall.
Participation in this University
tradition will be possible for en-
tering students this fall, for new
members are selected at the be-
ginning of each year through au-
ditions.
Founded in the season of 1879-
80, the group has grown from 40
members to its present member-
ship of 350, which is limited only
by the size of the Hill Auditorium
stage.
Originally, the Choral Union,
composed of members of the Ann
Arbor Methodist, Congregational,
Presbyterian and Episcopal
churches, had as its chief inter-
est the singing of Handel's "Mes-
siah."
Joined Musical Society
Soon after the group's begin-
ning, however, it was assimilated
into the activities of the Univer-
sity Musical Society, and began
to perform other choral works as
well. '
To date, the group has perform-
ed practically all the major ora-
torios, as well as operas adapted
to concert performance and other
'works,. Frequently, American or
world 'premieres of choral works
have been presented by these sing-
During the three quarters of a
century of its existence, the Chor-
al Union has had more than 16,-
000 members, many of them stu-
dents but a large number of them
Ann Arbor residents as well.
. Sings "Messiah"
In addition to singing in the
May Festival each spring, the
Choral Union also presents two
performances of the "Messiah"
at .the beginning of the Christmas
season each year.
During the May Festival, the
l group sings under the guest lead-
ership of Thor Johnson, conduc-
tor of the Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra. :.Associate conductor
Lester McCoy, who has been with
the group more than eight years,
r readies the Choral Union for the
series:
Blatt Conducts
'U' Orchestra
Starting its third regular season
under the direction of Josef Blatt,
the University Symphony Orches-
tra is open to any freshman who
successfully completes an audi-
tion and is selected by the direc-
tor.
0 In addition to four or five regu-
larly scheduled concerts in Hill
Auditorium, the Symphony joins
. with .the School of Music and
speech department in presenting
an opera in March.
Auditions will be held during
registration week and the times
will be announced then.
The orchestra can be a credit
course or an extra-curricular ac-
tivity. According to Blatt, it pro-
vides an excellent opportunity for
literary college students to keep
up their proficiency and also play
some of the best orchestra music.
i.Blass first camne to the Univer-
sity in 1952 after serving as assist-
ant conductor of the Metropolitan
Opera Company in New York.
Possessed
U
CHORAL UNION SINGERS PERFORM IN HILL AUDITORIUM
NEW WORKS COMMISSIONED:
Stanley Quartet Provides Chamber Music for 'U'
An in-residence musical group,
the Stanley Quartet provides free
music for local residents during
the year. .
World renowned for its inter-
pretations of chamber music, the
Quartet gives two concerts each
semester and three during the
Summer Session.
Members, music school person-
nel, include Prof. Gilbert Ross,
first violinist, Prof. Emil Raab,
second violinist, Prof. Robert
Courte, violist, and Prof. Oliver
Edel, cellist.
All Beethoven Quartets
The quartet's repertory com-
prises all of the Beethoven string
quartets, many works by Haydn
and Mozart and contemporary
music, in which the quartet has
great interest.
Honoring the name of the late
Albert A. Stanley, music profes-
sor at the University and .early
Ann Arbor musical enthusiast, the
Stanley Quartet was organized in
1949. Prior to this, five years were
spent in- formulating a plan for
the organization.
The quartet endeavors, by its
performances of chamber music
in Ann Arbor, throughout the
state, and even farther afield, to
carry on his ideals.
The quartet has played concerts
in many, Michigan communities,
the Library of Congress in Wash-
ington, in Cleveland and Charles-
ton and at eastern and midwestern
colleges and universities. In ad-
dition, it has given many concerts
for young people.
Commissions New Works
Under the Oliver Ditson En-
dowment Fund, the quartet an-
nually commissions a chamber-
music work to be performed on
campus for a world premiere.
Musicians who have had works
introduced in thishmanner include
Robert Palmer, Walter Piston,
Quincy Porter, Wallingford Ri-eg-
By Bands
In 1844, nine student musicians
assembled to play at campus
chapel services.
These nine men were the orig-
inal nucleus of the University
Bands, an organization today con-
tain g more than 300 students.
Under the direction of Prof.
William D. Revelli, the Band con-
sists of three units, Marching
Band, Symphony Band and Wol-
verine Band.
With the exception of the
Marching Band, which is open
only to men, both men and wom-
en from all colleges and schools in
the University are eligible for
membership.
Membership in the Bands is de-
termined by audition with Prof.
Revelliand his assistants.
Football Season
The Marching Band is most ac-
tive during the fall football sea-
son and plays for games and pep
rallies. It also accompanies the
football team on at least two out-
of-town trips.
Internationally famous, t h e
Marching Band has been the sub-
ject of a special short feature,
"Here Comes the Band," pro-
duced by RKO Pictures, and was
once featured in Life Magazine.
The University Symphony Band
has a membership of approvimate-
ly 115 pieces. Possessing one of
the largest band libraries in the
nation; it gives numerous con-
certs during the year and each
spring goes on tours to all parts
of the country.
In the past, such distinguished
guest conductors as Percy Grain-
ger, Morton Gould, Edwin Franko
Goldman and Ferde Grofe have
conducted the Symphony Band.
Wolverine Band
The Wolverine Band centers its
program around different extra-
curricular activities. It plays for
basketball games, an occasional
hockey game, local parades and
other events. The Wolverine.Band
is recommended for those with-
out enough proficiency to qualify
for the Symphony or Marching
Band, and for those who do not
have the time to devote to the ex-
tensive rehearsals required by the
two.
For all bands, certain of the
larger instruments are provided by
the University free of charge.
Concerts in Ann Arbor are given
in Hill Auditorium.
During the spring, however,
there are outdoor concerts. These
concerts have been given "on the
mall" in previous years, but last
year were given behind Mason
Hall (near the Diag and the Gen-
eral Library) because the location
is accoustically better.
at
BARGAIN PRICES
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ANN ARBOR'S MOST-LISTENED-TO ORCHESTRA
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Dancing Friday and Saturday Nights
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Daily Classifieds
Bring Quick Results
MUSIC GROUP-The Stanley Quartet, in addition to commissioning new works each season,
offers students an opportunity to hear chamber works professionally performed. The quartet is com-
prised of (left to right)EGilbert Ross, first violinist, Prof. Robert Courte, violist, Prof. Eliver
Edel, cellist, and Prof. Emil Raab, second violinist.
ger, Darius Milhaud, Heitor Villa-
Lobos and Prof. Ross Lee Finney.
All together, the quartet has giv-
en ten worli premieres in Ann
Arbor.
The group has also participat d
in state and national professional
and educational conferences,
string clinics and special pro-
grams and has recorded contem-
porary music.
Read and Use
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