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Whoopee John, Prince, the Andrews Sisters ... and F. Melius

By David Gonnerman '90
May 12, 2008

Minnesota's 150-year history includes an eclectic collection of musicians. Prominent among them is F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the St. Olaf music program.

A list of significant years in the state's history noted by the in the St. Paul Pioneer Press cites 1903 as the year Christiansen joined the St. Olaf faculty. And a Star Tribune story (below) notes that Christiansen "established the St. Olaf Lutheran Choir and with it a tradition of choral excellence that exists to this day."

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.