|
A Brief History of our choruses
On February 8, 1895 a group of men, who had recently emigrated to this country from their homeland of Sweden met in Providence, Rhode Island to organize “The Swedish Singing Society - Verdandi”. In so doing, these individuals sought to perpetuate and enjoy, through the fellowship of song, the familiar culture of “the old country” in their new homeland. Over the years, the chorus they formed has sung for Presidents and royalty and its members have raised their voices in song at such renowned musical venues as: the Chicago Opera House; Symphony Hall in Boston; the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City; and, even Carnegie Hall. Individual members have also accompanied major concert tours of Sweden, organized by the American Union of Swedish Singers, in 1897, 1910, 1930, 1967, 1989 and 1999. The word “Verdandi” finds its origin in Norse mythology and was the name of one of a trio of Norns which represented the past, present and future - with Verdandi being the present. The best contemporary interpretation of the term’s meaning probably is: To do your best today, take each day as it comes, and be thankful for the past. In 1984 the Verdandi Male Chorus sponsored the formation of the Scandinavian Women’s Chorus of Rhode Island, which performs locally for churches and at special holiday events throughout the year. The chorus, which joined the American Union of Swedish Singers in 1986, participates, as does Verdandi, in AUSS-sponsored conventions and singing festivals, at both divisional and national levels every two years, on an alternating basis. Today, our choruses continue to perform many of the same traditional Swedish songs so loved by the founding members, as well as, a variety of well-known, popular American tunes and songs from other cultures. We remain dedicated to our mission... “to teach, cultivated and promote Chorus Singing, principally Swedish”. |