21, 1955 THE MICHIGAN DAILY 'U' Choral Union Starts 77th Musical Year Old History - Try FOLLETT'S First USED BOOKS 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 STATE STREET at, NORTH UNIVERSITY ANN ARBOR'S MOST-LISTENED-TO ORCHESTRA ARE YOU ELGBE Dancing Friday and Saturday Nights The Rainbow Combo Featuring.. You must be 21 Members and Guest's only /° lovely MARY LOU CLw N HALL RENTALS AND BANQUETS -J DAILY PICK-mUP and' DELIVERY! Pick-up stations at 0 EAST QUAD * SOUTH QUAD * WEST QUAD " LAW QUAD * GLEN THE TAILOR 631 E. University * PIERCE'S Dry Cleaning and Laundry 1031 E. Ann St. STUDENT BUNDLES OUR SPECIALTY! FAST SERVICE! MOE LAUNDRY 208 S. First St. Phone NO 2-0916 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 Daily Classifieds THE MUS C CENTER WELCO ES YOU TOTEAUTIFUL CAMPUS OF THE U VERSITY OF MICHIGAN I ii .AW BO0KS You will find our store spe- cially equipped to supply you * Classical Record Department * Radios, Phonographs and Combi- nations * Television * Popular Record Department * Tape Recorders * Radio and TV Service with LAW case books and Supplies. Our LAW section is staffed by law students to as- sist you on your requirements. u n rru 4444BPAr4P FAVORITE MEETING PLACE FOR U OF M STUDENTS Largest Jazz Selection in Ann Arbor! WIDE SELECTION of CLASSICAL LP's I C