St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Creator:
Peter Schilling, Jr.
Contributor: MinnPost.com
Bibliography
Bergmann, Leola Nelson. Music Master of the Middle West, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1944.
Frisch, Suzy. "Lighting the Way: St. Olaf Prepares to Observe Its 100th Christmas Festival," St. Olaf Magazine Fall 2011: 12–21
Shaw, Joseph M. The St. Olaf Choir: A Narrative. Northfield, MN: St. Olaf College, 1997.
Chronology
1903
F. Melius Christiansen arrives at St. Olaf College to head the music department and begins developing its choral program.
1912
The first St. Olaf Christmas Program is held for students and faculty, featuring the St. Olaf Choral Union, led by F. Melius Christiansen.
1922
Due to increased attendance, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival moves from the Hoyme Memorial Chapel to the school gymnasium.
1936
Because of its popularity, the festival doubles the number of performances to two.
1941
As attendance continues to rise, the festival is again expanded, to three shows.
1942-1943
Because of wartime restrictions, the festival shrinks to one concert.
1943
F. Melius Christiansen retires and his son, Olaf Christiansen, assumes leadership of the festival.
1944
The festival increases to two performances.
1945
The festival returns to three performances.
1967
As the Christmas Festival continues to grow, it moves to the Skogland Athletic Center, later named the Skogland Center.
1968
Kenneth Jennings becomes director of the festival.
1975
The festival is first televised on KTCA-TV in the Twin Cities, and shown on many of the affiliates of the Midwest Television Education Network.
1990
Current director and St. Olaf graduate Anton Armstrong takes the helm as director of the festival.
1994
The festival is first broadcast on Armed Forces Radio.
2012
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival celebrates its centennial.
Bibliography
Bergmann, Leola Nelson. Music Master of the Middle West, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1944.
Frisch, Suzy. "Lighting the Way: St. Olaf Prepares to Observe Its 100th Christmas Festival," St. Olaf Magazine Fall 2011: 12–21
Shaw, Joseph M. The St. Olaf Choir: A Narrative. Northfield, MN: St. Olaf College, 1997.