Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2007 The Gustavus Choir: A 75 Year Commitment to Musical Excellence David Holdhusen Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC THE GUSTAVUS CHOIR: A 75 YEAR COMMITMENT TO MUSICAL EXCELLENCE By J. DAVID HOLDHUSEN A dissertation submitted to the College of Music In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2007 Copyright 2007 David Holdhusen All Rights Reserved The members of the Committee approve the dissertation of J. David Holdhusen defended on February 7, 2007. ______________________________ Kevin Fenton Professor Directing Dissertation ______________________________ Larry Gerber Outside Committee Member ______________________________ André Thomas Committee Member ______________________________ Judy Bowers Committee Member The Office of Graduate Studies has verified and approved the above named committee members. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank the many people who have encouraged and supported my efforts to achieve this longtime goal of completing the doctoral degree. This process is one that cannot be accomplished alone. I would especially like to thank those who have provided me with professional advisement and to those who have supplied me with unending love and support. I would first like to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Kevin Fenton for his guidance and support throughout my years at Florida State University. As my major professor, his encouragement and direction on this project has been immeasurable. He has truly allowed me to grow as a scholar, a musician, and a person. I would also like to thank the members of my committee: Dr. André Thomas, Dr. Judy Bowers, and Professor Larry Gerber. These inspirational teachers have been more than educators. They have become highly respected mentors who have unselfishly shared their knowledge and experience with me throughout my time at Florida State. I wish to thank Professor Gerber for sharing his extensive knowledge of the voice; Dr. Bowers for inspiring me through her commitment to music education and her passionate drive to provide the best musical experience for everyone; and Dr. Thomas for being a consistent inspirational influence; opening my eyes to the possibilities of choral music. I will always feel privileged to be able to call him my teacher. Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Philip Knautz, Dr. Karle Erickson, and Dr. Gregory Aune for allowing me to examine their personal files and for graciously giving of their time for interviews. The information provided was vital to the completion of this document. I additionally thank Dr. Aune for opening doors on campus that allowed for this research to take place. To all the people at Gustavus Adolphus College who made this project a reality I extend my sincere appreciation. I am particularly grateful to Dean Wahlund for going beyond the call the call of duty to assist me; and to Mike Haeuser and the staff of the Folke Bernadotte Library for the hospitality they extended during my campus visits. I wish to lovingly thank my family, which has provided me with so much encouragement throughout my life. Clair Halverson and his late wife Doriene have iii accepted me into their family and enabled me to complete this journey through unending support and generosity. I deeply cherish these relationships. I have always been proud to call Mark my brother. His accomplishments have inspired me and I look forward to seeing what the future will bring for him. I wish to thank Mark for the encouragement to follow my dreams and for all the advice and support he provided throughout my life. He has been, and always will be, my best friend. I want to thank my parents, John and Linda, for their encouragement and support. They instilled in me a drive to achieve and provided a nurturing environment that allowed me to become the man I am today. The parenting they provided gave me everything I needed to succeed. I am so fortunate to have had such loving and supportive parents. Finally, words can never adequately express the appreciation due to my immediate family. My daughter Annika has inspired me with her zest for life. I only wish that I could approach each day with the same enthusiasm she exhibits. Since her birth, she has made me want to be a better person. I wish to thank her for her energetic encouragement during the writing of “Daddy’s Book.” How do I thank my ever-loving wife Deedra for all that she has done? She has been a constant source of support, encouragement and love throughout our lives together. Her faith and strength are an inspiration to me and my admiration for her grows with each day. I can never thank her enough for always believing in and supporting my goals. She is my rock, my cheerleader, and my eternal soul mate. I love her with all my heart. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ........................................................................................................ vii Abstract................................................................................................................. viii 1. INTRODUCTION: PURPOSES AND PROCEDURES.................................... 1 Purpose of the Study.................................................................................. 1 Definition of Terms ................................................................................... 2 Delimitations ............................................................................................. 2 Need for Study........................................................................................... 3 Sources of Data and Procedures................................................................. 4 Organization of the Study .......................................................................... 5 Related Research ....................................................................................... 7 Gustavus Adolphus College ........................................................... 7 The F. Melius Christiansen Legacy ................................................ 9 2. CHORAL MUSIC ACTIVITIES AT GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE PRIOR TO AND INCLUDING THE FORMATION OF THE GUSTAVUS CHOIR................................................................................. 11 G. Adolph Nelson ...................................................................................... 18 The Gustavus Choir is Founded ................................................................. 19 3. THE REBIRTH OF THE GUSTAVUS CHOIR FROM 1945-1954: THE WILBUR SWANSON AND EUGENE CASSELMAN YEARS ....... 33 Wilbur Swanson ........................................................................................ 33 The Gustavus Choir is Reborn ................................................................... 34 The Eugene Casselman Years .................................................................... 40 4. THE GUSTAVUS CHOIR FROM 1954 TO 1980: THE PHILIP KNAUTZ YEARS ............................................................... 45 Philip Knautz’s Choral Approach............................................................... 47 The Philip Knautz Era................................................................................ 49 Christ Chapel............................................................................................. 55 The Continued Contributions of Philip Knautz........................................... 57 Christmas in Christ Chapel ........................................................................ 61 The Final Years of the Phil Knautz Tenure ................................................ 63 v 5. THE GUSTAVUS CHOIR FROM 1980 TO 1994: THE KARLE ERICKSON YEARS ........................................................... 68 Karle Erickson’s Choral Approach............................................................. 70 The Karle Erickson Era.............................................................................. 74 6. THE GUSTAVUS CHOIR FROM 1995 TO 2007: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GREGORY AUNE...................................... 88 Gregory Aune Becomes Gustavus Choir Director ...................................... 90 Gregory Aune’s Choral Approach.............................................................. 94 The Gregory Aune Era............................................................................... 97 7. REPERTOIRE PROGRAMMED FOR EXTENDED CONCERT TOURS....... 109 Assumptions and Delimitations.................................................................. 110 Method ...................................................................................................... 111 Results ....................................................................................................... 112 Discussion ................................................................................................. 117 8. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................... 120 Summary ................................................................................................... 120 Conclusions ............................................................................................... 137 Recommendations for Future Research...................................................... 139 APPENDIX ......................................................................................................