American Union of Swedish Singers

American Union of Swedish Singers

A.U.S.S. Events - 2002

Go to Eastern Division Convention highlights
Go to Central Division Convention highlights
Go to Western Division Convention highlights

Eastern Division Convention highlights

The Eastern Division Convention took place in Trumbull, Connecticut July 24 - 27. Host choruses were the North Star Singers and the Northern Lights Singers. We welcomed two guest choruses from northern Sweden, Rosvikskören a mixed chorus from Rosvik and Pitebygdens Manskör a men's chorus from the Piteå area.

On Wednesday night, there was a welcome reception at the convention headquarters, the Trumbull Marriott. A variety show featuring local talent included Swedish folk songs, a story teller from Maine, an operatic duet, and a Swedish "cowboy". Our two guest choruses from Sweden also presented a few selections. Refreshments capped off the fun evening.

Following rehearsals during the day on Thursday, the Individual Chorus Concert was held, also at the Marriott. All of the choruses did a great job! Again, the guest choruses added their songs to the evening. A.U.S.S. National President Jody Jones was on hand to present the Certificates of Merit to deserving individuals.

Friday morning was the delegates meeting. Our new Eastern Division President is Don Nelson of the Viking Male Chorus. Congratulations to him. And, a big thank you to out-going president Richard Norell of the North Star Singers, who was also the convention chairman.

Also, on Friday, there were two sightseeing trips. One went to the P.T. Barnum Museum and the other went to the Maritime Center. I understand they were both interesting.

Friday night was the Grand Banquet at the Marriott. The room was decorated in Swedish blue and yellow and the Cornish Hens were very good. After "short" speeches by distinguished guests, the gold medals were awarded. There were two recipients: Marian Bird of the Scandinavian Women's Chorus of Rhode Island and Carl Eliason of the Verdandi Male Chorus. The Erland Levine award (for a non-singer) went to MaryAnn O'Leary. After the presentations, there was dancing to Bert Stromholm's Orchestra.

Saturday noontime was the men's and women's luncheons. The men went to the nearby Scandinavian Club in Fairfield and were treated to a nice lunch followed by entertainment by the Coastal Chordsmen, a local barbershop chorus. The women had a garden luncheon behind the Marriott. Sharon Alberson, director of the Northern Lights Singers, entertained the women after their light lunch. Everyone attending either luncheon went home with a blue or yellow glass bird.

The finale to the convention was the Grand Concert, which was held Saturday night at the Quick Center of Fairfield University. The concert was well attended and the audience was very appreciative. The concert went well. One of the highlights was the Brahms Alto Rhapsody with soloist Louise Norell.

The general consensus was that it was a fun convention.

If you know of anyone who took digital photos, please have them e-mail it/them to me.

Click here to see the pictures, so far. For more pictures see Rosvik's pictures

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Central Division Convention highlights

The Central Division Convention was hosted by the Waukegan Swedish Glee Club of Waukegan, Illinois. The theme of the convention was "Honoring our roots - spreading our wings". Convention Central was the Gurnee Holiday Inn in Gurnee, IL from June 12 - 15. Over 300 people attended.

Everything went well as everyone arrived on Wednesday and enjoyed the evening of welcome and entertainment. The second day was busy with rehearsals and later everyone listened to each individual chorus perform. On Friday, June 14 we rehearsed and later performed the Grand Concert at the beautiful new high school auditorium in Vernon Hills. There were 181 singers on stage representing 11 choruses around the midwest and Florida. We think it was a wonderful concert and a CD/tape is available if desired. Finally, on Saturday, the Grand Banquet has held beneath a big top tent and though we were concerned about some high winds in the afternoon, it turned out to be a beautiful evening and a very enjoyable banquet.

We were happy to welcome several special guests. The Eastern Division was represented by A.U.S.S. past president Carl-Erik Westberg, current A.U.S.S. Vice President Joe O'Leary, and National Assistant Director-In-Chief Ernest Gunn. From Sweden, we were pleased to have guest Director, Bo Dereborn. Our guest soloist was Soprano Marguerite Karl. From the Western Division came our A.U.S.S. President Jody Jones, who handed out many awards. A.U.S.S. Gold Medals went to Ken Lundgren of the American Swedish Institute Male Chorus of Minneapolis, Richard Young of the Chicago Swedish Glee Club and Don Torgersen of the St. Paul Swedish Male Chorus. A.U.S.S. past president Erland Levine was on hand to present the award named for him to Sheila Johnson, accompanist for the Arpi Male Chorus of Detroit.

Co-chairmen for the convention were George Minkler and Wayne Nixon. The convention committee was very pleased that everyone seemed to have a good time. It makes all the work involved worth it.

Click here to see a picture from the Grand Concert.

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Western Division Convention highlights

We are looking for someone to send us information about the convention. Also, if you know of anyone who took digital photos, please have them e-mail it/them to me.

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