Timeline of Music at Gettysburg College

Page: 1 | 2 | 3

Click on the photos and images to enlarge.

Gettysburgian - March 17, 1938

Candid shots from the 1938 choir tour.

Gettysburgian - October 19, 1939
“Under the direction of Prof. Parker B. Wagnild, the A Capella choir of Gettysburg College made recordings of “Beautiful Saviour” by Johnson and “Salvation is Created” by Tschesnokoff on Tuesday afternoon in Brua Chapel.”

College Alumni Bulletin: "Sunday evening musicals: student, faculty and guest artists."

College Alumni Bulletin: "Our college band, completely uniformed, adds luster to athletic contests. "

College Alumni Bulletin: "College Orchestras provide excellent music on many occasions."

Gettysburgian - January 11, 1940

Gettysburgian—March 20, 1941:
“The repertoire of the Gettysburg College Choir may change almost completely from year to year, but one number, because of its lasting beauty, is consistently found on the program. This is F. Melius Christiansen’s arrangement of Beautiful Savior.”

Gettysburgian—March 27, 1941:
“Every Tuesday evening at 9:00 o’clock, approximately twenty students gather around a blazing fire in the lobby of the SCA Building to listen to a musical program of classical records. This ‘Classical Hour,’ as it is called, started in connection with a music appreciation course taught by Prof. W. Frederick Shaffer.”

Gettysburgian—November 13, 1941:
“’Following the trend of increased musical interest, Gettysburg College has shown a definite improvement,’ answered Prof. W. Frederick Shaffer, when asked to give his opinion of the Gettysburg student’s musical knowledge.”

Choir tour program, 1941-1942

Choir tour program, 1941-1942

Choir—1943-1944

Gettysburgian—March 7, 1946
“Tentative plans for the introduction of a music department to the Gettysburg College Campus at the beginning of the fall term this year were announced recently by Professor Parker B. Wagnild, who will head the new department.”

Members of the 1947-1948 choir stand behind recording equipment used to make LPs now on display in Musselman Library.

Choir Tour—1948

Gettysburgian—February 19, 1948

“Thirteen years ago Parker B. Wagnild arrived on the campus of Gettysburg College for the express purpose of organizing and building an effective student musical organization…It is rather hard for us now to conceive of our college without a choir…”

The 1948-1949 Gettysburg College Choir

Gettysburgian—February 17, 1949
“Covering over 3,000 miles in the heaviest schedule since its organization, the Gettysburg College A Capella Choir, directed by Professor Parker B. Wagnild, will give a total of 29 concerts on its 1949 itinerary…”

Gettysburg Times, May 18, 1950

Gettysburgian—October 12, 1950
“Presentation of $50,000 to the Music Department and the laying of the cornerstone of the Fine Arts building will highlight the annual convention of the Gettysburg College Women’s League…”

Gettysburgian—October 5, 1950:
“Renovation of Brua Chapel, to be renamed the Fine Arts Building, is well under way..."

Gettysburgian—February 8, 1951
“Announcement has been made of the addition of a major in music to the college curriculum…The requirements shall be a minimum of twenty-four semester hours.”