2 VOLUME 99, NO. 2 DECORAH, IA Mar.-Apr. 2009 Carlo Alberto Sperati (1860-1945) was director in chief of the PCNSA 1903-1915 and director of the Luren Singing Society 1911-1945. See Luren History, page 13 for more information. Mar.-Apr. 2009 SANGER-HILSEN 2 NORDKAP MALE CHORUS director, Carsten Slostad. He worked Minneapolis-St. Paul MN us hard to master our six numbers, We wish you could have been plus the seven massed chorus there. On Saturday, March 21st, an numbers. But he also inspired us with appreciative audience heard three his many compliments and his men’s choruses at Central incomparable body language. It was Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. It he who made the many arrangements was Nordkap’s Centennial necessary to engage Central celebration, but we were joined by the Presbyterian and inform the above- Norwegian Glee Club of Minneapolis named officials of our event. He and and two combined Swedish choruses. his brothers, Jim and Paul even hauled Especially the massed chorus left the the risers, on which we stood, to the sanctuary ringing. What wonderful church and returned them. Without the acoustics! three this event would not have Important visitors congratulated us happened. Yes, and Carsten also on this auspicious occasion. A local directs the Glee Club. Norwegian official read us greetings Also, we wish to thank the two from the Ambassador in Washington directors of the Swedish choruses, D.C. The President of Augsburg Jeffrey Wressel and Don Torgersen. College, where 'Nordkap' roots are And where would we be with found, addressed us, as did the accompaniment? Dan Ritter is pianist President of our Norwegian Singers for us and for the Swedes. We often Association of America. The mayor are amazed at his mastery of his of St. Paul sent greetings and declared instrument. Loryce Sivertsen March 21st “Nordkap Day.” Since our accompanies the Glee Club, and sang free-will offering was being donated the solo in the massed choir’s to Minnesota Food Shelf, their rendition of “America, the Beautiful.” representative thanked the audience We were thrilled. Also, Bjorn Hagen for their aid. Thrivent Financial for soloed in “Naar Fjordene Blaaner.” Lutherans also jointly sponsored this We are always inspired by him. We offering and encouraged participation. so much appreciate the members of The Swedes reminded us that they the other choruses who prepared for are our seniors, since they go back to and participated so wonderfully in this 1881. Finally, the organist at Central joyous occasion. Presbyterian introduced us to their Before we sang and during the organ, which goes back to the 19th offering, Central’s organist, Katherine Century. Handford, kept us quieted with her Our director, acting as MC, gave us offerings. Anonymous donors also occasional glimpses into Nordkap’s need to be thanked for covering rental past. Thus he introduced a son of our and other costs which made possible first director and a good number of his the major gift to Food Share. Another family. All these voices inspired us to gift came from the congregation, do our best. which provided free parking at a We have many to thank for making nearby ramp. this such a memorable occasion. No Out of sight and missing much of one contributed more than our the program were our spouses, the Mar.-Apr. 2009 SANGER-HILSEN 3 Auxiliary, preparing lunch for us who Upon discharge Eldon attended St. were rehearsing, and birthday cake Olaf College, graduating in 1953 with following the program for the a degree in Chemistry. Rather than audience as well. pursue that field, he entered Luther In the dining room, numerous Seminary in St. Paul MN, and upon displays of Nordkap’s history, graduation in 1957 was ordained on a courtesy of much work by Paul Call to the Coon Valley Parish in Wis- Thorson, were on display for all to consin. After three years he moved to see. Behind the scenes are many Jefferson Prairie at Clinton WI. In others also whom we ought to thank. 1962 he went to Northfield MN to be Among them is our president Foster Promotion Director at St. Olaf. Solem who, among many other Pastor Underdahl returned to serve contributions, provided the printed a two-point parish at Hartland and programs for the concert. Manchester MN, followed by six Last, and most importantly, thanks years at Dodge Center. In 1979 he be to God to Whom and of Whom we became the chaplain at St. Olaf sing. Residence Nursing Facility in We are saddened, of course, that so Minneapolis, retiring in 1998. many of our members did not live to Eldon married Orpha Shirley Floyd, enjoy this Centennial celebration. a Kenyon girl, in 1952. There became Recently we lost Eldon Underdahl and parents of four children, Ruth Ann, Carl Sheie. More about them in the Bruce, Ross and Beth. and grand- next issue. parents of six. We have three upcoming programs Eldon became a member of in which to sing, but we will not Nordkap in 1986 and served in rehearse again until May 4. various ways, including Wendell Frerichs, Corr. Sec. Corresponding Secretary for this Editor’s note: I gleaned from the publication. As a former radio Kenyon Leader the following informa- announcer on WCAL, Northfield, and tion, with supplementation from other the Central Lutheran church services, sources, including my personal know- his second-bass voice was put to good ledge: use when he narrated the story behind Rev. Eldon Underdahl Nidelven as part of Nordkap’s Eldon James Underdahl was born at concerts. rural Kenyon MN to Elling and Eldon died March 8th in Amelia (Dyrdahl) Underdahl on May Minneapolis and his funeral service 4, 1925. He attended rural schools in was held at Central Lutheran Church Rice County and graduated as on March 13. valedictorian of the Kenyon High He was preceded in death by his School class of 1942. parents, brother Orlo and infant sister Eldon farmed with his father for Emma. four years while his one brother Orlo He is survived by his wife, four chil- was serving in the US Army. Later dren and six grandchildren. Eldon also served in the Army Medical Corps in Anchorage AK for three years. Mar.-Apr. 2009 SANGER-HILSEN 4 ”SANGER-HILSEN” NSAA STATE VICE- (”SINGERS GREETING”) PRESIDENTS Published Bi-Monthly, by the Norwegian Singers Illinois: Frank Potempa, 1788 W. Association of America Incorporated under State Laws of South Dakota as an Sherwood Road, Des Plaines, IL Educational Society. 60016 (847) 296-2568 [email protected] Address all matters for publication subscriptions, renewals, change of address, and make remittances payable to: Iowa: Ed Stone, P. O. Box 774, So. Sioux “Sanger-Hilsen” Office: City NB 68776 (402)494-2956 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “Sanger-Hilsen” Minnesota: Kris Rusten, 6615 Lake Office. Shore Dr. S. #1106, Minneapolis MN DONALD L. BERG Editor-Business Manager 55423-2275 (651) 276-1687 407 Leif Erikson Drive [email protected] Decorah, IA 52101 New York: Owen Flynn, 302 96th St., www.nsaaonline.org Subscription price $22.00 per year Apt. 3E, Brooklyn 11209-7827 (718) 745-6309 Periodicals postage paid at Decorah, Iowa. Sanger-Hilsen USPS 481-380 South Dakota: Curt Hepner, 321 N. Lincoln St., Canton SD 57013-1721 OFFICERS OF NSAA (605)764-2914 [email protected] Wisconsin: Charles Morkri, 7567 President: Jonathan Lewis, 1124 E. Main, Pioneer Place, Verona, WI 53593 Stoughton WI 53589 (608)873-5268 (608) 833-3732 [email protected] [email protected] Vice President at Large: Thor Fjell, 1031 W. Ogden Ave, #118, Naperville, IL 60563 (630) 369-4233; cell (630) 479- VETERAN CHORUS 4233, [email protected] OFFICERS Recording Secretary: Richard Leake, President: Robert Lillie, 410 Pleasant 703 Valley View Dr., Decorah, IA (563) Hill Dr., Decorah IA 52101 (563)382- 382-3796 [email protected] 5087 [email protected] Corresponding Secretary: Donald Berg, Vice President Ronald Beck, 28206 465th 407 Leif Erikson Dr, Decorah, IA 52101 Ave., Lennox, SD 57039 (605) 647-2851, (563)382-5727 [email protected] Treasurer: Francis Peterson, 710 Ridge Secretary-Treasurer: Larry Lubbert, Road, Decorah IA 52101 (563)382-4504 2440 Cedar Valley Rd., Decorah IA (563) [email protected] 382-8053 [email protected] Grand Marshal: Gary Hendrickson, Marshal: Rev. James Glesne, 2784 U.S. 4933 Knox Lane, Madison WI 53711 Hwy 52, Decorah IA 52101 (563) 382- (608)310-8963 8110, [email protected] [email protected] Director: Bernhard Gluth, 103 Grove, Assistant Grand Marshal: Robert P.O. Box 84, Ft. Atkinson IA, 52144, Bergren, Hudson, SD 29399 SD Hwy. 11, (563)534-3079 [email protected] Hudson SD 57034 (605) 934-2752 Director-in-Chief: Dr. David E. Judisch, Decorah, IA 814 Fifth Ave., Decorah IA DEADLINE FOR MAY- 52101E-mail: [email protected] JUNE ISSUE Assistant Director: Edwin Kramer, MAY 25, 2009 32600 East Lane, Grayslake, IL 60030 (847) 546-2050 Mar.-Apr. 2009 SANGER-HILSEN 5 NORSE GLEE CLUB So far, the choir has been busy Sioux Falls SD rehearsing for the upcoming and fast Here we are in the last half of approaching Sioux Valley Sangerfest March and have been very lucky the in June. At a recent rehearsal our past few weeks to have been on the esteemed director Lyle Kroon handed edge of several snowstorms with only us the spring schedule: an inch or two of snow each time. We March 16 – Trail Ridge Retirement hope that holds true all through April. Community; By the time you receive this issue, the March 30 – Joint Rehearsal (Norse April showers will bring forth the Glee Club hosting); May flowers, and those who have April 13 – Joint Rehearsal (Nordic planted potatoes may see them Male Chorus hosting); sprouting through the soil.