Andrews University prides itself on its rich involvement with music, and rightly so! Concerts are always in abundance at our beloved AU, and music is never far from our ears. One of the most notable musical groups here on campus is the University Singers, the select choir from the Department of Music, which is now under the direction of Stephen Zork. As we highlight the 150-year anniversary of Andrews, let’s also highlight the history of the choir!
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, when Andrews University was known as Battle Creek College, both preparatory and college students were informed that “vocal music is required work, and is taken by all students.” At this time, the university was home to four separate choirs, each one numbering between 50 and 100 students. Whenever there were special performances, all four would be combined. Unfortunately, when the school was moved to the other side of Michigan, low enrollment rates led to the only ensemble offerings being sacred music choruses.
In the 1927-28 school year, when things were already greatly improving for the school, various groups were created for radio broadcasting, including the Radio Singers. These were some of the first broadcasts to a national audience from Adventist colleges. The success of these radio broadcasts led to the installation of the first significant pipe organ on campus.
By this time, the campus choir was known as the College Chorus and, in the post-World War II period, as the Collegians. In the 1940s and 50s, there were multiple smaller choirs besides the Collegians directed by assistants, namely Estelle Kiehnhoff, Annetta Striplin, Belle Anderson, and Wilmoth Benson.
It was in 1963 that the Collegians were renamed to the Andrews University Singers, known as “an elite choral group, known for its excellence in singing.” The University Singers were led by many able and talented directors over the years, such as Melvin Davis, Gerald Ferguson, Rudolf Strukoff, James Hanson, Franklin Lusk, and Zvonimir Hacko.
In 1991, the choir was taken over by Steve Zork, an accomplished composer and arranger, and “under his direction, AU’s choirs have become known for their performances of an eclectic and diverse repertoire, including a full spectrum of ethnic, traditional, and 20th century choral works.” Under his tutelage, the University Singers have “given three concert performances at conferences for the American Choral Directors’ Association” and have “given highly acclaimed international concert tours throughout the countries of Great Britain, Iceland, Norway, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Chile, Bahamas, Bermuda and Puerto Rico,” performing in concert with “noted musical artists such as Bobby McFerrin and jazz pianist David Benoit.” In the past few years, the University Singers have released seven album recordings, including “an array of musical and cultural styles from the early New England Christian church hymnody to choral music of Western and Eastern European heritage.”
The university choir has a beautiful history, and as we celebrate it alongside the history of Andrews University, we can also look forward to a rich future filled with opportunities to continue this wonderful musical tradition to ensuing generations of students.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.