Archival Minute August 2012

WSC and Radio — P a r t T h r e e

At the time the Wayne Herald / WJAG experiment came to an end, a Wayne State student, David Sanders, had a 15-minute program, listed as “David Sanders of Beemer, Nebraska,” which aired over WJAG on Saturday afternoons. It does not appear that there was any official association with Wayne State, but students from the college (besides Sanders) did appear. The Wayne Herald published an article, “Radio Program Will Include College Trios,” on February 6, 1936: The WJAG radio station at Norfolk has extended the program featuring David Sanders, Wayne State Teachers College baritone, to include two trios to alternate on succeeding Saturdays. The trios are the “Melodears,” Miss Frances Kiker, Miss Harriet Lamson and Miss Jeanne Wright, with Miss Marian Seymour [sister of future WSC president Lyle Seymour], pianist; “Three Little Maids,” Miss Wilma Flake, Miss Kathryn Greenslit and Miss Helen Jones, with Merrill Mulready, pianist. The program on which the groups appear is called “Singers of Songs,” and is arranged by Mr. Mulready of the WJAG staff. David Sanders The following week the show expanded to 30 minutes and continued most every week through May. Some weeks, however, a program bearing the title “Wayne State Music department” or “Wayne College program” was listed instead. Given that Wayne State already had program on Friday’s from March to May of 1936 (see next page) it’s probable that this was Sander’s program Marion A. Seymour under a different name. Wayne State College - U.S. Conn Library Marcus Schlichter, Archivist 402-375-7266 P a g e 2 Archival Minute

Another Wayne State student also had a radio broadcast about this, though not a series. According to an April 17, 1936 article, “Brome Drama Will Come Over WJAG Sunday, April 26,” The Goldenrod reported that “Robert Brome, Wayne State freshman from Norfolk, has just written a radio drama entitled ‘The Ghost of Caesar.’” The drama, performed by the author and Wilson Buffington, sophomore from Meadow Grove, aired over WJAG on Sunday April 26. On March 26, 1936, The Norfolk Daily News did list a “Wayne college program by remote control” to air the next day (Friday) from 2:00 to 3:00. This program would air weekly through the end of May. The Goldenrod wrote about one of these broadcasts (as well as David Sander’s Saturday program) on April 17, 1936: On the broadcast Friday at Norfolk, representatives from the voice department were: “The Melodiers” trio consisting of Jeanne Wright, Wayne, Frances Kiker, Wayne, and Harriet Lamson, Neligh, with Marian Seymour at piano. David Sanders, Beemer, sang an arrangement of the Palms” with the choir ensemble. Miss Francis Rhodes, soprano at Sioux City, sang “Lullaby” by Cyril Scott. The famous “Spinning Song” from the opera “Martha” to be presented April 30, was sung by the quartet consisting of Francis Rhodes, soprano, Harriet Lamson, mezzo-soprano, Norman Leuthauser, tenor, and David Sanders, baritone. On the Saturday program, David Sanders, on his “Singer of Songs” program, included some special religious numbers to herald Palm Sunday. Dewayne Gramly, pianist, featured several pieces from his new suite “Clouds Over Spain.” On the Friday broadcast Robert Arter and Dorothy Kile played two-piano [sic] numbers, “Arrival Humlet,” Grainger, and “Gypsy Rhapsody.” P a g e 3 Archival Minute

As the nine-week run was about to end, The Goldenrod noted on May 22, 1936 that The college venture into the radio field will have its final performance on Friday, May 29, at two o’clock by remote control over WJAG from the College auditorium. President J. T. Anderson will speak to the radio audience at that time, and Prof. Albert G. Carlson will give a piano recital. The newspaper commented: The nine weeks of broadcasting have been the means of bringing to the friends of Wayne State examples of many College activities. Musical organizations and many soloists, dramatic groups, short talks, lectures and news items have been used to give the College a characteristic representation. Many favorable comments have been received from Wayne territory listeners, and requests for the continuance of the broadcasts. City officials and business and professional people have been generous in their support of the project. Dr. James Brock [head of the Physical Sciences department] has served as chairman of the college radio committee, consisting of Professors Bair, Carlson, Hanscom, Keith, Drake and Ramsey [who will be discussed below]. David Sanders and Merrill Mulready have had charge of the advertising field work. Mr. Mulready has presided at the microphone for the broadcasts. After that final broadcast The Goldenrod ran another story, “Radio Programs Are A Marked Success,” in which it reported: The concluding program of the College Radio Course was given on May 29 in the Auditorium. Dean H. H. Hahn gave the farewell remarks to the invisible audience. Prof. Albert G. Carlson of the Piano Department gave a piano recital for the musical part of the program. He was assisted by Prof. Clifford Bair, tenor, who sang three songs. After detailing the various selections performed by Professor Carlson, the paper again noted the positive response, stating that “[m]any favorable comments were received on the program, and there were numerous requests foe the continuance of Wayne College Hour on the air.” P a g e 4 Archival Minute

For whatever reason, however, those “numerous requests” for more broadcasts were not immediately answered, at least not too any significant degree. The Goldenrod does not carry another report of college radio activity during the remainder of 1936 and all of 1937. The 1938 yearbook, however, does provide evidence that there were some vocal performances on radio during the 1937-1938 school year. The Spizz in its review of the solo and vocal ensembles recorded that Under the direction of Professor Russel Anderson [see sidebar on next page], the members of the voice department of Wayne State Teachers College made many public appearances during the past year. They presented both formal and informal programs for the college and community of Wayne, in surrounding towns, and over radio station WJAG, Norfolk. No specifics were given regarding number or dates of the any of the performances, including those over radio. The yearbook, however, does give more specific details concerning the A Cappella choir: The A Capella [sic] Choir, under the direction of Professor Russel Anderson, was chosen from a chorus choir of one hundred voices. As one of their contributions to the college and community, the choir, assisted by the community of Wayne, presented Handel’s “Messiah” on December 19th. The Easter Cantata, “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Dubois, was presented at Wakefield and in Norfolk on April 3rd and in Wayne on Palm Sunday, April 10. . . . . On March 27th the choir broadcasted [sic] over a State Hook-up [sic] from Norfolk on the “Nebraska White Spot” program.

A Capella Choir, 1938 P a g e 5 Archival Minute

Russel Anderson Russel Anderson (1904-1989) came to Wayne State in 1936 as professor of voice and music education. The choral program prospered under his direction. When he arrived the choir had only 34 members; there were 175 at the time of his retirement. The annual performance of Messiah under his direction each Christmas for 23 years was recognized as one of the state’s outstanding presentations of the Handel oratorio. He initiated tours of the choir throughout the state. The choir under Anderson’s direction (as well as he himself) also performed on radio on various occasions.

Anderson was named Chairman of the Fine Arts Department in 1942. In 1945 he initiated the annual summer Music Camp “to provide an opportunity for talented students of music to come together for a week of study and performance of the better choral, symphonic, and instrumental literature. The camp will provide a means of arousing the enthusiastic interest of high school students in participation in, and appreciation of good music.” [From promotional brochure]. The camps were held for almost 6 decades before being discontinued in the early 2000s.

Anderson resigned as head of Division of Fine Arts in 1964, wanting to find out “how it feels just to teach.” His desire was to devote his time to vocal instruction. The announcement in the October 1964 issue of News From Wayne State praised Anderson: “With the constant goal of ‘building the department for excellence,’ Anderson’s chairmanship has been one of the most outstanding in the school’s history. His many pupils throughout the country share with him pride in the Division’s growing reputation.”

In 1954 Russel Anderson married Virginia Lynn, who had come to Wayne State in 1947 to serve as Dean of Women. She left for Pacific University in Oregon in 1950 but returned to Wayne in 1953 to accept the position of Associate Dean of Students. The two retired April 22, 1966. At spring commencement President Brandenburg presented identical Distinguished Service Awards to the couple.

In announcing the retirement in January, President Brandenburg stated “Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been major forces in the building of Wayne State College. Despite their retirement, we will continue to feel their presence and be grateful for it.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson appeared in Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who in the Midwest. In addition, Mr. Anderson was honored in Who’s Who in Music.

Anderson Drive is named after Mr. Anderson. Photo from 1950 P a g e 6 Archival Minute

Solo and Voice Ensembles, 1938 P a g e 7 Archival Minute

The Goldenrod does report on this March 27th performance in its March 25, 1938 article, “College Choir On Radio Program.” The Nebraska White-Spot program, originating in Norfolk, was broadcast over stations WJAG, KOIL (Omaha), KFOR (Lincoln), and KMMJ (Grand Island) at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The March 24 Wayne Herald adds that the choir would sing two “numbers.” The schedule in The Norfolk Daily News indicates that the choir would be joined on the program by the Stanton band and Norfolk male chorus. There was also to be a talk on an unspecified subject by Theo J. Lemke of Madison. The next mention of a radio broadcast is that by the Alpha Psi Omega fraternity. The article in the November 4, 1938 Goldenrod reads: Alpha Psi Omega will present a radio play over WJAG at Norfolk during the Wayne College hour on Sunday, November 13, at 2 o’clock. The play to be presented is “Mr. Elliot’s Crazy Notion.” It is a story of Scotland in the days of the introduction of the automobile. The cast has not been chosen as yet, but work will be started in the very near future. Two week’s later The Goldenrod ran a story about the radio play, but either the first story had the name of the play wrong or there was a last minute change: The Alpha Psi Omega, national dramatics fraternity, presented a short one-act play, “Returned,” written and directed by Lenore P. Ramsey, over WJAG, at Norfolk, Sunday Lenore Ramsey November 13. Lenore Ramsey (1894-1976) joined the Members taking part were Irene Bastian, Ruth Wayne State faculty in 1928. Her prior Eggers, Patty Dawson, Robert Sutton, Robert teaching experience was in elementary and secondary education, mostly in her Moran, Myrle Hemenway, and Charles Good. hometown of Fairmount, Indiana. Having In any case, the WJAG program lineup for Sunday, heard of an open position at Wayne State, in a letter dated May 6, 1928, she wrote to November 13, published in the November 11, 1938 President Conn: Norfolk Daily News does have a program listing at 1:45, “Wayne State Teachers’ college, violin quartet The Clark and Brewers Teachers and play.” Agency has notified that you wish to procure a teacher of English and The Wayne Herald published an article, “Series of Expression [this would include pub- Radio Program Starts,” on November 17 about this lic speaking, debate and drama]. broadcast: I prefer only English Composition The first of a series of broadcasts from station and Literature, but I could handle the Expression if you wished. WJAG, Norfolk, sponsored by the fine arts

department of Wayne college, was presented Continued on page eight... last Sunday afternoon. The plan is to have P a g e 8 Archival Minute

Continued from page seven...

She went on to list her educational background and references. While we don’t have a copy of President Conn’s reply, from her letter of June 2, 1928 we can surmise that Conn had pressed her on Expression:

In your letter of May 28 you asked what special preparation I have had for teaching expression, play coaching, and public speaking.

I had one course in public speaking in school, private lessons in expression, and an extensive experience in the coaching of plays. I taught one class in public speaking in high school for one year.

If you consider that the above qualifications justify in extending an offer of this position to me, could you pay me a salary of $200 a month for the twelve months?

A handwritten note on the letter indicates that Ramsey was offered a salary of only $190, but she replied on June 13, “After considering the Photo from 1950 facts concerning the English position at the Wayne State Normal School and Teachers College I have decided to accept it.” After inquiring about her scheduled classes she added “If I have any choice in the matter, I should have the American literature.”

Obviously Lenore Ramsey came to Wayne State primarily with the desire to teach literature; the “expression” aspect of the position was not her main focus. However, it was in teaching speech and drama that she would excel; it is why the theater in Peterson Fine Arts bears her name.

One of her references when she applied for the position in1928 wrote that “she has all kinds of pop and go. She is the type who will make good wherever she goes.” It’s clear from her 34 years at Wayne State that these words were on the mark.

She organized the Wayne State College chapter of the Alpha Psi Omega honorary dramatics fraternity in 1929 and sponsored the organization until her retirement. She was also the first sponsor of Iota Chapter 185 of Pi Kappa Delta forensics honorary, organized at WSC in 1942.

Until 1941 speech classes were taught within the English department. In that year Speech became a separate department with Lenore Ramsey the sole instructor (although she would also be listed under the English department faculty). She remained the sole speech instructor for several years. But this woman with “all kinds of pop and go” worked hard at establishing a strong speech and dramatic program. At the same time, she inspired respect and love from students, faculty and administrators.

“She could give lessons in graciousness and dart across the hall to teach battle cries to a platoon of Marine privates…” said a student of Leonore Ramsey when she retired in 1962. President William Brandenburg stated at the time, “She is among the most beloved of Wayne staff members of all time.” P a g e 9 Archival Minute

these the second Sunday afternoon of each month, the programs to be a half hour in length. Last Sunday’s program included two tenor solos by Delbert Rundquist, “Invictus,” by Huhn, and “Sylvia,” by Speaks. Ethlyn Flake was accompanist. The violin quartet played “Petit Suite for Violins,” by Campbell-Watson. In the quartet are Ethlyn Flake, Viola Nordsrom, Florence Barton and Joyce Miller. Miss Lenore Ramsey’s original radio play, “Return,” was presented by Patricia Dawson, Ruth Eggers, Irene Bastian, Myrle Hemenway, Robert Sutton, Loren Moran, and Charles Good.” The next radio broadcast is set for December 11 from 1:30 until 2. The WJAG schedule for December 11 describes that broadcast as “Christmas Customs Round Table and Carols by students and instructors of Wayne State Teachers college.” There was no program in January (perhaps because of break?). There was a program in February, but it was on the third Sunday (February 19), not the second, and it lasted only 15 minutes, not 30. It consisted of scenes from “Masque of Kings,” a play to be presented by the Alpha Psi Omega fraternity on campus February 24. It appears then that the plan of a monthly 30-minute program was abandoned. There’s no report of a reason. For the next three years there were occasional Wayne State broadcast such as one on Sunday, July 30, when the college voice quartet performed from 1 to 1:30.Dolores McNatt, soprano; Elaine Lundberg, contralto; Edwin Cartensen, tenor; and Russel Anderson, baritone made up the quartet. The next mention of a radio broadcast is in The Goldenrod of November 17, 1939. The paper announced that “[on] Sunday, November 26, from 1:15 to 1:45. An interesting broadcast, although not directly produced by the college, was that of a college student. As reported in the June 28, 1940 Goldenrod: Alvin Berthelson, attending Wayne State now as a junior, is giving a series of 15-minute talks on international affairs and current events over station WJAG, at Norfolk, every Sunday afternoon from 4 to 4:15. This is quite remarkable for a college student given the events in Europe at that time. The next significant radio effort by the college came in May of 1942. In an article headlined “Represent College In Six Broadcasts,” The Goldenrod reported on May 8: Six programs are to be presented by Wayne State Teachers college over WJAG, Norfolk, during the remainder of this college year. In charge of the programs is a committee headed by John R. Keith of the music department. Other committee members are Miss Lenore P. Ramsey of the speech department, Dr. W. G. Ingram of the physical science department, and Russel Anderson of the music department. Dr. F. M. Gracey is to be the announcer on all programs. P a g e 10 Archival Minute

According to Chairman Keith these programs Recording of Russel have been planned as an added service to the Anderson’s 1942 state and particularly to the people in this territory whom Wayne State serves most. A Cappella Choir? Program periods were reserved for three There is a 16-inch electrical transcription in consecutive afternoons from 2 to 2:30 the Archives. An electrical transcription (ET) beginning yesterday (May 7) and on the next was a means of recording radio programs in the 1930s and 1940s before the advent of three Sundays from 3 to 3:30. Heard recording tape. They were somewhat similar yesterday, was a program by the W.S.T.C. to a vinyl record, but differed in size (16 vs. choir under the direction of Russel Anderson 10 or 12 inches) and had an aluminum [see sidebar with a link to a possible recording (or other metal) base. More information about ET’s can be found here: of this broadcast]. Nest Sunday’s program will http://www.modestoradiomuseum.org/et.html be in charge of Miss Lenore Ramsey, Ward Reynoldson and Harrell F. Beck assisting. The The paper sleeve surrounded the ET has program will be a roundtable discussion of written in pencil: “Wayne College / 10-14-45.” However, as explained below, there is doubt pertinent problems in current Pan-American if that is the actual date of the recording or relations. With the exception of this broadcast. discussion, it is likely that all the programs will be transcribed on the campus. Included in Enclosed with the ET is a copy of a letter to President Coffee from John H. Gebhart / AV the four remaining programs are: May 14, Director dated June 2, 1986. The letter music program under the sponsorship of the details how a cassette tape copy of the ET music department; May 17, Coach [James H.] was made in the KWSC studios Morrison; May 21, W.S.T.C. band; May 24, noting “We did the best we could, given the condition and limitations of the record.” One Dr. [W. G.] Ingram. problem they encountered was “a very small The programs of the 17th and the 24th will be segment at the end [of one side] that had cuts which caused the needle to jump supplemented with music by the college music backwards.” They also encountered a department. problem with the flip side of the ET: “On the Two weeks later the college paper wrote of the three flip side of the record the speed is slower that the KWSC radio equipment is capable remaining programs in the series: of going.” Therefore, this part of the recording The three remaining programs to be presented on the cassette is speeded up.

over radio station WJAG at Norfolk, by Wayne Continued on page eleven... State Teachers College, have been arranged. On Thursday May 21, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. the program will consist of the College Male Quartet, a vocal solo by Robert Hansen, and instrumental numbers by John Kvam, Evelyn Patrick, Danelia Wedge, and Leslie Walden. P a g e 11 Archival Minute

The following Sunday May 24, from 3 to 3:30 p.m., selections from Wayne Prep [see sidebar below with a link to a possible recording], and a talk by Coach J. H. Morrison, will make up the program. The final number on this series of programs will be given on Thursday May 25, from 2 until 2:30 p.m. The Wayne College A Cappella choir and Symphony band will appear on this program.

Continued from page eleven...

This link (bit.ly/wscacapella42) is to an mp3 copy of the cassette recording. Unfortunately, the beginning and end of the recording are missing. There is surface noise as one would expect from an old ET or vinyl recording. At one point the needle can be heard “jump[ing] backwards” at which time the pitch of the recording changed (became higher) on the cassette (evidently this is from the flip side mentioned above). This change in pitch was corrected partially in the transfer from cassette to mp3.

As for the actually date of the recording, there is a clue in the recording itself. The announcer introduces solo performances by Emelyn Griffith and Jacqueline Helleberg, both identified as seniors at Wayne Prep [the high school that was part of the Wayne State Training School in Hahn]. Griffith and Helleberg graduated from Wayne Prep in May 1942 (they went on to attend Wayne State, graduating in 1946). This means that the recording must date sometime during the 1941-42 school year.

There is evidence that may narrow the date to the month of May in 1942.The first piece of evidence is a program for a performance of the A Capella Choir at the “Society of Liberal Arts / Joslyn Memorial” on Sunday, May 10, 1942. The five choral selections on this ET (“America the Beautiful,” “O Susanna,” “Little David Play on Your Harp,” “On the Isles of May,” and “Emitte Spiritum Tuum”/”Send Forth Thy Spirit”), were also among the selections performed by the choir on May 10. This indicates they were part of the choir’s repertoire at that time. The Goldenrod carried a story on May 8, 1942, “Represent College in Six Broadcasts.” According to this story:

Six programs are to be presented by Wayne State teachers college over WJAG, Norfolk, during the remainder of this college year….

….Program periods were reserved for three consecutive afternoons from 2:00 to 2:30 beginning yesterday [May 7] and on the next three Sundays from 3 to 3:30. Heard yesterday was a pro- gram by the W.S.T.C. choir under the direction of Russel Anderson.

The May 14, 1942 issue of The Wayne Herald published a story “Broadcast Series Opened Past Week.” The article told of the six broadcasts over WJAG and noted that “The first of these was last week Thursday [May 7] when a transcription of the choir was heard.” The article further stated that “With the exception of the round-table discussion [on current Pan-American relations that aired Sunday May 10] it is likely all other programs will be transcribed at Wayne college.” In other words, these programs, with the one exception, were pre-recorded, not broadcast live. Continued on page twelve... P a g e 12 Archival Minute

Continued from page eleven...

How do the performances by Emelyn Griffith and Jacqueline Helleberg fit into this? In 1942 they were Wayne Prep students, not Wayne State students. Part of the answer may be found in an article, “Radio Broadcast Program Planned,” that was published in the May 21, 1942 issue of The Wayne Herald:

[Wayne State] Coach J. H. Morrison will talk on physical education program in the national emergency [sic] on the Sunday, May 24, broadcast from 3 to 3:30. Wayne prep students who will furnish musical numbers are Emelyn Griffith, a clarinet solo, girls’ trio, Emelyn Griffith, Carol Feese and Jacqueline Helleberg, vocal numbers; Jacqueline Helleberg, a trombone solo.

Student Portraits, 1946

Wayne Prep was part of Wayne State College’s Training School (Hahn School). Therefore, the inclusion of Wayne Prep students in Wayne State College broadcasts would not be too surprising. However, how does one reconcile the dates: the A Cappella Choir broadcast was on May 7 while the Wayne Prep stu- dents were on May 24? The answer may be in the memo from Gebhardt to Dr. Coffee. Gebhardt wrote “They recorded the flip side (in the faster mode) at the end of the recording of the first side, so that you can hear what is there.” Thus the recording from the flip side of the ET was recorded immediately after the first side on the cassette. The recording on the flip side may very well have been a separate pre- recorded broadcast, the May 21, 1942 program. The change in speed/pitch follows immediately after the needle sticks (“jumps backwards”) and coincides with the change from a choral performance (presumably by the A Cappella Choir) to the solo performances by Emelyn Griffith and Jacqueline Hel- leberg. This suggests that perhaps the two sides of the ET have two separate pre-recorded broadcasts: the Choir (May 7) on one side and Wayne Prep (May 21) on the reverse.

While this does not prove conclusively that this is a recording of the A Cappella Choir nor the exact dates of the broadcast(s), it is likely that it is the Wayne State Choir and it is certain that the soloists were Emelyn Griffith and Jacqueline Helleberg, seniors at Wayne Prep, indicating that at least that part of the recording was made sometime circa 1942. P a g e 13 Archival Minute

After that, the college’s radio efforts again were sporadic for a few years. The occasional broadcasts were produced by the music and speech departments as would be expected. One exception appeared in the November 1, 1946 Goldenrod: At precisely 5:15 p.m. yesterday, WSTC broadcast over station WJAG at Norfolk. Members of the football team and their brief histories were given. A brief resume of the previously played games was given. The Homecoming Queen, Ida Macklin of Pender, was then introduced. Ida is a senior this year and in the interview she told of her plans for graduation. In the mid-1940s radio was introduced into the college’s speech curriculum (there had been a physical science class dealing with the technical aspects of radio for a number of years, but no class dealing with radio performance). The course description for Radio Speaking read “Techniques of radio speech; radio voice and diction training; practice in reading and announcing.” A second course, Radio Announcing and Production, was added in 1949-1950. This class covered “Announcing and production of radio programs.”

From the 1950 Spizz P a g e 14 Archival Minute

This change in the curriculum coincided with (or perhaps was cause for) a resurgent presence of Wayne State on the air. In its February 28, 1947 issue under the headline “Wayne State Takes to the Air,” The Goldenrod wrote: Although you may not be aware of it, some rapid changes are being made around Wayne State. For instance, did you know that by the 6th, or at the very latest, the 13th of March, Wayne State will be having its own radio programs over Station WJAG at Norfolk? [This question seems to imply that there had been no regular radio program for some considerable time.] The first few programs originate in the Norfolk studio, but if all goes as planned, a remote control unit will be set up here at Wayne to facilitate broadcasts directly from the “Hill.” Two committees, one on “Program” and the other on “Egineering” [sic] have been appointed by President Morey. Dr. H. H. Hanawalt is chairman of both, with Miss Lenore Ramsey and Prof. Russel Anderson assisting on the program committee and Dr. Ingram and Bob Hansen assisting on the engineering committee. The addition of radio equipment will, we feel, prove to be a very valuable asset to this college. The program will begin at either 2:45 or 3:00 on each Thursday. The exact time has not yet been ascertained. Two weeks later The Goldenrod described the first broadcast in the series (3:00 was the time “ascertained”): “Ladies and Gentlemen: You have just listened to the strains of the Wayne State Alma Mater.” That is the way our first program over station WJAG began. The rest consisted of three vocal solos, “I Heard You Go By,” Wood, “Shortenin’ Bread,” Guion, “Still As the Night,” Bohm, sung by Harlan Von Seggern, accompanied by Constance Johnson, and two poems, “The Carpenter,” Kennedy, and “Red Sky,” David, which were read by LaVerna Mauer. The program announcer was Dr. M. H. Hanawalt. “WSTC is becoming more firmly entrenched in radio broadcasting by the day,” proclaimed The Goldenrod on March 28, 1947 as it reported on “the installation of a remote control system, with wires Photo from 1946 leading directly to the studios of radio station WJAG, Norfolk.” P a g e 15 Archival Minute

(Actually, this would have been a special remote hook-up via telephone lines). According to Dr. M. H. Hanawalt, this remote system would allow the college to broadcast fro the stage of the Wayne State auditorium. The Goldenrod continued: Dr. Hanawalt further relates that future programs emanating from the college will include many features heretofore deemed impractical. It is now possible to permit the fullest possible use of all the excellent talent to be found upon the campus. The remote set up in the college auditorium also allowed for a studio audience. There was an open invitation to come to see the next performance with the one stipulation that “all who wish to attend this broadcast be present before the appointed time as all doors will be closed just before the college program takes to the airways.” This effort was not short-lived as previous ones. Although the days and times changed over its run, “Wayne State on the Air” lasted for about a decade [more on proceeding pages].

Goldenrod, January 19, 1948 P a g e 16 Archival Minute

While Wayne State had a long relationship with Norfolk station WJAG, it was not an exclusive relationship. Wayne State also made it on the air through Sioux City radio station KTRI on several occasions. KTRI aired two performances by Wayne State musicians in the spring of 1949. According to The Goldenrod (April 29, 1949), a “wire recording” (an early form of electromagnetic recording, a predecessor to tape recording) of the Palm Sunday concert by the A Cappella Choir was aired on April 28. A second program, aired May 11, featured the women’s sextet and an instrumental ensemble. This performance was apparently broadcast live from the KTRI studios. The Wayne Herald published a story with a major announcement on November 17, 1949: Wayne State college’s 100-voice a cappella choir will present a 30-minute concert over 500- station network of the Mutual Broadcasting system Sunday morning, Jan. 29 at 11 o’clock, according to an announcement by Russel Anderson, chairman of the fine arts division at the college. The concert would be broadcast from the Wayne city auditorium. The Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS) was one of the four major national commercial networks in the Golden Age of radio. As the newspaper story states, MBS had over 500 affiliates—more than ABC, CBS, or NBC. The best known MBS entertainment programs were “The Lone Ranger,” “The Adventures of Superman,” and “The Shadow.” The program on which the college choir was to erform was simply named “College Choirs.” It aired at 12 noon (Eastern Time) every Sunday starting in 1950 and running through 1954. It was carried on a sustaining basis, meaning that there was no sponsor. The newspaper story points out the noteworthiness of this occasion: “[t]he Wayne choir is the only one in this region to be accepted by the special events department of the broadcasting chain for its Sunday college music Goldenrod, May 17, 1940 hour.” A Wayne State alumnus, Robert Hanson, the program director of KTRI , the Sioux City MBS affiliate, had “sent a series of recordings of the choir to the New York offices for auditioning.” According to a later report in The Wayne Herald, “Officials of the network praised the group as ‘outstanding college choir.’” P a g e 17 Archival Minute

On January 26, 1950, the newspaper published a story, “Complete Plans for Broadcast of WSTC Choir Concert Sunday”: Completion of final arrangements for the Wayne State Teachers college a cappella choir concert over the Mutual network Jan. 29 was announced this week by Russel Anderson, chairman of the college’s division of fine arts. All persons attending the broadcast must be in their seats at the Wayne city auditorium by 10:45 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 29. No one will be admitted after that time. The broadcast commences at 11 a.m. A further request was made: “Since the auditorium should be as quiet as possible during the broadcast, parents are urged not to bring small children or babies who might disrupt the program.” The broadcast would be “’piped’ to radio station KBON in Omaha, where the network feeder facilities are located.” Robert Hanson was to serve as announcer. Also in that issue Russel Anderson revealed the program for the radio broadcast [see scan of original program from the 1950 broadcast]. “Broadcast Is Rated Success By Audience” declared The Goldenrod on February 3: “Over 800 people were in attendance at Wayne State’s 100-voice a cappella choir broadcast.” The Wayne State Alumni Bulletin (May 1950) wrote of the praise for the choir’s performance, including the response of the composer of two of the selections performed: In appreciation for using two of his selections on the national network broadcast, C. Albert Scholin of St. Louis, Mo., choral composer and organist, dedicated his latest composition, “O for a Closer Walk with God,” to Russel Anderson and Wayne State choir. This number was placed on the market in April. The choir had sung his “O Lord, Thou Art My God” and “Let Our Gladness Know No End” in the broadcast. Mr. Scholin complimented Mr. Anderson and the choir and reported that the broadcast was well received. P a g e 18 Archival Minute

The publication also printed excerpts from the “[n]umerous messages. . .from former students and strangers from many parts of the country. . . ” A few of those comments follow: “I was truly thrilled with your fine concert. Verily, the music department of W.S.T.C. has come a long way since 1918 when I was listed among the graduating seniors. Your broadcast reaffirmed my belief that the Wayne college is growing in importance and in culture,” writes Mrs. Frances Oman Tuttle of Clarkston, Wash. “May I congratulate you upon your fine choir?” writes Walter Hohmann, director of music at Bethel college in North newton, Kan. “I was very well pleased with your balance of parts and general ensemble. Articulation was very good, clear, crisp, thus enabling the listeners to understand the words. Musicianship and interpretation were excellent. I enjoyed the delicate sense of nuance in your singing. All in all you have the type od a cappella choir that I personally feel we need more of today.” Mr. Hohmann sends thanks for the choir’s singing one of his selections. . . . “A very beautiful choral concert,” says Mrs. Olive Anderson of Spencer, Iowa. . . . “What a big thrill I got from hearing the choir. Congratulations on a beautiful program,” writes Mrs. Mildred Bessire Stribbing of Roswell, N.M. . . . “I know of no comparable choral group in the Puget Sound area. You are to be complimented for a very fine performance,” says Jud Pearson of Seattle, Wash. . . . Mrs. Edith Batchelor Gregg of Palo Alto, Calif., cousin of the late Mrs. J. M. Pile [widow of President James M. Pile, founder of the Nebraska Normal College], student here 57 years ago, enjoyed a delightful half hour listening to the choir. “My loyalty has ever rested with the school. I turn in spirit to my Alma Mater and wish her every honor and success. The music was beautiful.” An invitation to Russel Anderson and the choir to perform again was extended a year later. The headline over the story in the January 26, 1951 Goldenrod reads “Wayne Choir Broadcasting On March 4: Choir Rated Excellent in U. S.” The broadcast was scheduled for March 4. The newspaper recounted that The Wayne State choir mad a nationwide broadcast last year by direct wire from Wayne to New York. Robert Hanson, program director for radio station KTRI of Sioux City, Ia., and other Wayne State graduates handled the broadcast. At that time the choir sang “Cindy,” “An Evening’s Pastorate,” and many other songs that thrilled the listening audience. The Goldenrod then quoted Russel Anderson as responding, “The college choir appeared last year after an audition by the series director. We feel particularly complimented to be invited again on the basis of last year’s appearance.” P a g e 19 Archival Minute

There was on major difference in this performance though. Rather than a live broadcast, the choir would be pre-recorded on tape. The recording for the March 4 broadcast was made on February 22 by the Arden Recording Service of Sioux City under the direction of Robert Hanson. It was then sent to New York for broadcast over the MBS network. On February 16, 1951 The Goldenrod published the selections the choir would perform: . . . .the Fred Warisg choral arrangement of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”; “Let Us Break Bread Together,” by Howorth; “Emitte Spiritum Tuum,” by Schuetky; “Heavenly Light,” by Kopylow; “Laud His Name,” by Ivanoff-Tkach; “Open Our Eyes,” by Macfarlane; “O for a Closer Walk with God,” by Scholin; “Cherubim,” by Muzicheski and Tkach; and the selection, “Christ We Adore Thee,” from the Seven Last Words by Dubois. Soloists for the program will be Dean Rowe, Robert Stevens and Marlene Sickman. Accompanists will be Joanne Stevenson and Nettie Detles. On March 9, following the broadcast, The Goldenrod noted that the choir “presented a very enjoyable program and we can all be very proud of this group of fine young singers.” The program must have been enjoyable indeed, for the choir was invited back for a third time in 1952. The Goldenrod detailed the preparations for this third broadcast in its April 4, 1952 issue: Records will be cut next Wednesday afternoon for the Wayne State a cappella choir’s appearance on the Mutual Broadcasting System, Sunday, April 20. Arden Smith of Sioux City will operate the recording machine while Robert Hanson, graduate of Wayne State, now representing KTRI, will prepare the scripts. Professor Russel Anderson, head of the music department, has been putting the 85-voice choir through the final stages of preparation for the performance. The program will include both the choir and a smaller group of voices called madrigal. The program will be divided into three parts. The first is as follows: Wayne State “Alma Mater,” “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” from “Miss Liberty” by Irving Berlin, “Jubilate De[o],” by Mozart; :Holy, Holy, Holy” by Glinka; and “Benedictus es Domine” by Nordon. Prof. Anderson will present the new group in “Come Again” by Dowland and a German folk [song], “Phillis [Pillis?].” This madrigal group is made up of Barbara Brown, Miriam Scranton, Ramona Moss, Marlene Siekman[,]Jeannine Barelman, Dorothea Harms[,] Helen Nolan, Dick Bichel, Myron Armour, Daniel Rihanek, Willis Johnson and Roger Bell. The choir will then conclude the program with [three] negro [sic] spiritual[s], “Rock-a-ma- Soul” by Howorth, “Way Over Jordan” by Cain and “Swing Low, [Sweet] Chariot.” With the school song, the Wayne State choir will conclude their visit on the air waves.

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This was the final national network radio appearance for the choir. Although there were no more national broadcasts for Wayne State, broadcasts over WJAG continued. As stated above, the weekly 15-minute program, “Wayne State on the Air” (the name seems to have been changed to “Know Your College” in 1956) continued through the spring of 1957. The Goldenrod regularly promoted the broadcasts. “Wayne State on the Air” / “Know Your College” aired a wide range of features and performances. There were the usual interview with faculty and staff members; performances by the campus school orchestra and college music groups, readings of poetry; dramatic presentations such as a radio adaptation of Checkov’s comedy, “The Proposal”; introduction of the new college president, Dr. William Brandenburg; a program on the “many attractions” of Wayne State’s homecoming; and recordings from the summer music camp. The weekly program was produced by students in the radio classes. It was not only a learning experience for these students, but was also good public relations for the college. From the 1953 Spizz Two transitions in Wayne State broadcasting occurred in the 1950s. One involved faculty. Lenore Ramsey who drove the broadcasting program in the late 1940s into the early 1950s apparently turned the reins over to another teacher, C. [Charles] Loyd [sic] Shubert who came to Wayne in August of 1953. Shubert took over as faculty sponsor the fall semester. No reason can immediately be found for the change. Shubert took leave in 1956-57 and then resigned to take another position. He was replaced by From the 1954 Spizz P a g e 21 Archival Minute

Lillian Baker who was here only briefly for the last year of “Know Your College.” The second transition was technological. Starting in the early 1950s Wayne State began a venture into the new medium of television. Wayne State students gave performances in drama, music, and dance, over Sioux City television station KVTV (now KCAU, Channel 9). While the appearances were only occasional unlike the weekly radio broadcasts, they did provide students with the opportunity to explore the new medium and, as with radio, make Wayne State known to the public.

From the 1955 Spizz So this is the story of Wayne State’s venture into radio from the initial experimentation with wireless transmission and reception by Professor I. H. Britell and his physics students, through participation in Dr. Lutgen’s Wayne radio station and then The Wayne Herald’s experiment, concluding with a decade -long weekly radio program and three performances by the college choir of a national radio network. During the four-decade-long story, administrators, faculty and students joined together to present talks on a wide range of topics, musical and dramatic performances, discussions, interviews, and other features. Students had the opportunity to learn and develop their talents, while the college could showcase the talents of its students and faculty and serve the general public.