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Sing For Joy's first documented broadcast was in February of 1955. In 2005 we celebrated and remembered our first 50 years in many aspects of Sing For Joy: in the broadcasts, in the monthly newsletter (see January 2005 and February 2005, in particular), and a hymn festival.
Through congregational hymns
and choir performances, this hymn festival was a celebration
of Sing For Joy's mission and an expression of the
power of the Word and music. Over 500 people gathered on February
20 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis to raise their
voices in song to honor Sing For Joy and Rev. Alvin
Rueter, Sing For Joy's founder and former host.
The festival featured:
•Host: Pastor Bruce Benson, host of Sing For Joy
•Organist: John Ferguson, music adviser for Sing
For Joy
•Guest Choral Conductor: Anton
Armstrong, conductor of the St. Olaf Choir
•Guest Choir: St. Olaf Cantorei, conducted by John Ferguson
•Special Guest: Rev. Alvin Rueter, founder of Sing
For Joy and former host
•Ecumenical Massed Choir: Representatives from area
churches
•A new commissioned work by Libby
Larsen based on John 3:1-17, sung by Cantorei
For your convenience, you can view a copy of the service bulletin.
Compact discs of the festival are available and can be purchased through the St. Olaf Records website, or by calling the St. Olaf College Bookstore at 888-232-6523.
For a larger view of any of
the pictures below, please click on a thumbnail.
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Janet Kringen Thompson, director of Church Relations, welcomes
all to the beautiful Central Lutheran Church. Seated on the
left from left to right are Rev. Alvin Rueter, founder of
Sing For Joy and former host; Pastor W. Bruce Benson,
host of Sing For Joy; Marty Pelikan, executive producer
of Sing For Joy, 2001–2004; John Gaddo, general
manager of Classical 89.3 WCAL, 2000–2005; Libby Larsen,
composer; and Anton Armstrong, conductor.
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Dave Hagedorn, artist
in residence at St. Olaf College, leads the choirs and congregation
in an upbeat traditional Cameroon processional song. Members
of Cantorei help him as Rev. Rueter looks on. |
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Pastor Benson, giving
a reflection, has been the host of Sing For Joy since
December 2002. The St. Olaf Cantorei, conducted by Sing For
Joy Music Adviser John Ferguson, look on. |
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Central Lutheran Church's
magnificent pipe organ provided grand accompaniment for the
congregational hymns led by Anton Armstrong. |
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More than 500 singers in the audience
joined the massed choir of 150 as they raised their voices in
song. |
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Members of the congregation
celebrate Sing For Joy's 50th anniversary. |
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Dr. Armstrong and Dr.
Ferguson jointly lead the congregation in "Amazing Grace"
sung in an unaccompanied four-part round. |
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Other members of the
congregation singing for joy and Thanksgiving. |
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Dr. Armstrong and Dr.
Ferguson watch each other intently as they directed the final
bars of "Amazing Grace." |
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Singers came to the
Twin Cities from as far as Denver to join the celebration of
scripture, message and song. |
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The fine acoustics in
Central Lutheran Church added to the beauty of the singing. |
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It is through supporters
like these that Sing For Joy is able to celebrate a 50th
anniversary. |
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Rev. Rueter and Pastor
Benson jointly give the closing Benediction. |
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Rev. Rueter, host of
Sing For Joy for 48 years, expresses his sincere and
heartfelt appreciation. |
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John Ferguson leads
Cantorei in one of the many anthems they sang. |
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Rev. Rueter joyfully
accepts applause from the congregation. |
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Pastor Benson and Rev.
Rueter share a moment before Rev. Rueter walks to the center
of the church to receive his applause. |
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Rev. Rueter is overcome
with emotion from the continued applause and standing ovation
given by the congregation. John Ferguson, on the right, is expressing
his appreciation as well. |
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