By Genny Boots ’18
Almost a century of students have counted the Choir of the West as a part of their PLU story. For 90 years, Lutes have joined in the community, passion and song of Choir of the West. This fall during Homecoming weekend, generations of Choir of the West members came together to celebrate a program that has anchored PLU as a premiere music program in the Northwest. The performance brought together 350 voices. It’s this part that Geoffrey Boers (who directed the Skones era) remembers so fondly from the 75th reunion performance.
“It is one thing being an undergraduate in the choir and learning of the traditions of Christmas concerts, tours and the excellence,” Boers said. “But it was a profound moment to be a part of those hundreds of voices, representing countless hours of rehearsal in Eastvold, Xavier Hall, or Lagerquist, countless miles traveled on long-ago tours, and the abundant stories and lifelong relationships cemented in song.”
The 75th reunion was such a success that soon after the weekend ended, the alumni office was asked about a 90th reunion.
“Choir of the West has a really strong affinity and people really identify strongly with it and I think that, from the stories I hear, Choir of the West had a big impact on people’s experience,” Nolan Ryan, assistant director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, said.
Amy Wigstrom ’96 was in the Choir of the West under the direction of Richard Sparks, and her time in the choir was a highlight of her PLU experience.
“We were a part of the transition to the new Mary Baker Russell Music Center. Things were exciting, changing and we were blessed to see all of it unfold,” Wigstrom said. “We performed for the first time in Lagerquist Concert Hall, practiced in the new spaces and took our lessons and classes in new classrooms. When I visit PLU, the memories of opening the new building are some of my best Choir of the West memories.”
The choir has been a part of PLU’s legacy since 1925. From small choirs due to wartime drafts, to new buildings and renowned performances such as “The Passion According to St. Luke” by Krzysztof Penderecki, the choir has been an integral part of campus. In its 90 years, the Choir has traveled to international choir competitions across Europe, Scandinavia, China and Japan.
“The Choir of the West perhaps has been the soul and voice of Pacific Lutheran University ever since that first Midwestern tour when this unnamed choir from a tiny western outpost was proclaimed ‘the Choir of the West,’” Boers said. “Certainly the longtime community, current and past professors and alums will enjoy this time to remember and relish the memories.”
With hundreds of students bound by a history of excellence, the 90th anniversary reunion is a time to celebrate.
“We hope this reunion will be an inspiration to current students to appreciate more deeply their experiences here, a humbling experience to reflect how small a part each of us is in this great tradition, and a rare moment to celebrate and be in the midst of so many who share the same family name, The Choir of the West,” Boers said.
For more information about the history of the Choir of the West visit www.plu.edu/choir/about.
Almost a century of students have counted the Choir of the West as a part of their PLU story. For 90 years, Lutes have joined in the community, passion and song of Choir of the West. This fall, generations of Choir of the West members will come together to celebrate a program that has anchored PLU as a premiere music program in the Northwest.
The reunion took place during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 14-16. Those that attended were grouped by the era in which they attended. Five eras were represented by the different conductors through the years: Joseph Edwards (1925–1937), Gunnar Malmin (1937–1964), Maurice Skones (1964–1983), Richard Sparks (1983–2001) and Kathryn Lehmann (2001–2006). Due to the passing of Gunnar Malmin, his era was directed by his son Jon Malmin. The Skones and Lehmann eras were directed by Geoffrey Boers and Lauren Whitham, respectively.
Alumni received sheet music ahead of time and had three rehearsals throughout the weekend, culminating in a final performance on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. in Lagerquist Concert Hall. The performance brought together 350 voices. It’s this part that Boers remembers so fondly from the 75th reunion performance.
“It is one thing being an undergraduate in the choir and learning of the traditions of Christmas concerts, tours and the excellence,” Boers said. “But it was a profound moment to be a part of those hundreds of voices, representing countless hours of rehearsal in Eastvold, Xavier Hall, or Lagerquist, countless miles traveled on long-ago tours, and the abundant stories and lifelong relationships cemented in song.”
The 75th reunion was such a success that soon after the weekend ended, the alumni office was asked about a 90th reunion.
“Choir of the West has a really strong affinity and people really identify strongly with it and I think that, from the stories I hear, Choir of the West had a big impact on people’s experience,” Nolan Ryan, assistant director of Alumni and Constituent Relations, said.
Amy Wigstrom ’96 was in the Choir of the West under the direction of Richard Sparks, and her time in the choir was a highlight of her PLU experience.
“We were a part of the transition to the new Mary Baker Russell Music Center. Things were exciting, changing and we were blessed to see all of it unfold,” Wigstrom said. “We performed for the first time in Lagerquist Concert Hall, practiced in the new spaces and took our lessons and classes in new classrooms. When I visit PLU, the memories of opening the new building are some of my best Choir of the West memories.”
The choir has been a part of PLU’s legacy since 1925. From small choirs due to wartime drafts, to new buildings and renowned performances such as “The Passion According to St. Luke” by Krzysztof Penderecki, the choir has been an integral part of campus. In its 90 years, the Choir has traveled to international choir competitions across Europe, Scandinavia, China and Japan.
“The Choir of the West perhaps has been the soul and voice of Pacific Lutheran University ever since that first Midwestern tour when this unnamed choir from a tiny western outpost was proclaimed ‘the Choir of the West,’” Boers said. “Certainly the longtime community, current and past professors and alums will enjoy this time to remember and relish the memories.”
With hundreds of students bound by a history of excellence, the 90th anniversary reunion is a time to celebrate.
“We hope this reunion will be an inspiration to current students to appreciate more deeply their experiences here, a humbling experience to reflect how small a part each of us is in this great tradition, and a rare moment to celebrate and be in the midst of so many who share the same family name, The Choir of the West,” Boers said.
For more information about the history of the Choir of the West visit www.plu.edu/choir/about.
Five eras of Choir of the West were at the reunion, represented by the different conductors through the years:
- Joseph Edwards (1925–1937)
- Gunnar Malmin (1937–1964), due to the passing of Gunnar Malmin, his era was directed by his son Jon Malmin.
- Maurice Skones (1964–1983), directed by Geoffrey Boers
- Richard Sparks (1983–2001)
- Kathryn Lehmann (2001–2006), directed by Lauren Whitham
Alumni received sheet music ahead of time and had three rehearsals throughout the weekend, culminating in a final performance on Sunday, Oct. 16 in Lagerquist Concert Hall.