CASTLE SINGERS > HISTORY

History and Tradition of the Castle Singers
Since its organization in 1950, the Castle Singers have intrigued audiences with their unique blend of music. The group has transformed many times in its history. Prior to 1950 the group was called the Chapel Choir, which is now a separate ensemble at Wartburg. The group used drama in combination with music. Many performances would include a variety of multi-media shows, medieval liturgical dramas, musicals, jazz masses, and folk and popular music.

Today, the group offers an entertaining program of vocal jazz. Accompanied by a rhythm section, the group specializes in all types of vocal jazz music, from early swing to avant garde. Members of the Castle Singers are chosen by audition and represent many of the college's more than 50 academic majors. The Castle Singers perform at events on and off-campus. The group makes annual one-week concert tours in the United States and regularly travels abroad during the college's one-month May Term.

Performance Highlights
During the spring of 2005, the Castle Singers provided musical entertainment on a Caribbean Cruise ship and visited Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. The Castle Singers performed in Australia during May Term tours in 2003, 1998, and 1994. In 1990, they spent a month performing and hosting vocal jazz workshops in Rumania, Bulgaria, and Greece. In 1987, they toured the British Isles, including stops in Ireland, Scotland, and England. The group's U.S. tours have included performances at Disney World in Florida and on the Mississippi Queen riverboat. The group has traveled to Greece and the former U.S.S.R. in its earlier history.

Director History
The group was founded by Dr. E. Arne Hovdesven, reknown composer and arranger, in 1950 as the Chapel Choir. Dr. Hovdesven was an associate of the Royal College of Organists of London and a fellow of the Canadian College of Organists. Before coming to Wartburg, he was the choirmaster and organ recitalist at Mercersberg Gothic Chapel in Pennsylvania and served as organist-in-residence at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio.

Dr. James Fritschel, also a nationally recognized composer and arranger, was director from 1959-1971. During this time, the group's name changed to Wartburg Castle Singers and the focus of the group became music and drama. Franklin Williams became director from 1971-1978. During his tenure the group traveled abroad to the former U.S.S.R.

For the next decade there was a great deal of director transition that occurred. During this time Kristi Becker (1978-1980), Eugene T. Wilson, Jr. (1980-1981), Franklin Williams (1981-1984), and Gayle Hartwig (1984-1987) conducted the Castle Singers.

In 1987, Dr. Paul Torkelson helped give the group stability and built on its traditions and performance experiences. During his tenure the group made several trips abroad including Western Europe and Australia.

Since 2001 Dr. Jane Andrews has taken the group to new levels of jazz excellence. Her initiative started the annual Wartburg Vocal Jazz Festival. During her time at Wartburg, the group has appeared at numerous regional, state, and local events.