Not long ago, I came across the recording of the 75th anniversary gala concert of the Carthage College, from the spring of 2001. We organized a weekend event in which alumni of the choir were invited to come back to Carthage and comprise a special mass choir that would join with the current choir in a celebratory concert. I have long forgotten how many alumni returned, but it was significant. Just as exciting was that we were able to welcome back Dr. John Windh – beloved conductor of the Carthage Choir for more than three decades – as well as Bill Roth, college organist for many years who also led the choir for several years (and was the first to take the group to Europe) to help conduct the mass choir. Also participating was Michael Burkhardt, who became the new director of the group the following fall and wrote a wonderful new work especially for the occasion. It was a big day! Here is one of my favorite moments from the concert: the alumni choir and current choir joining together in F. Melius Christiansen’s thrilling arrangement of “Praise to the Lord” with me on the podium. For me, it was the thrill of a lifetime.
(Note- The above photograph is not from that 75th anniversary concert. I’m sure some photos from that day are floating around somewhere.)