Music Highlights Founders Day Festivities

TAHLEQUAH When Dr. Ralph Whitworth stands in front of the Northeastern State University Community Choir on Friday, March 6, to conclude the Founders Day program, it will be the first time the retired music professor has conducted a group singing the NSU Alma Mater.

"It was written after I retired, so I've had to learn it," said Whitworth with a laugh. "But I'm really pleased to be a part of this celebration."

Whitworth joined the staff of NSU in 1950, after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He remained the choral director at Northeastern until 1984, nearly a third of the university's history, before stepping down and handing the program off to his successor, Dr. Don Studebaker.

"Between the two of us, we have been the choral directors for over half the university's history," said Whitworth. "Northeastern is really dear to me. Since I left the Navy, it's really the only job I ever had."

Studebaker, NSU professor of Music, will be conducting the NSU Community Choir in "Choose Something Like a Star," by Randall Thompson.

During his time at Northeastern, Whitworth watched as the music program grew. Around the time he arrived on campus, the department was housed in a temporary wooden building that had been brought in from Camp Gruber.

"The faculty at NSU was a very intimate group," said Whitworth. "We would have dinners together as a group. That's something I missed as the school grew to accommodate more students."

Since his retirement, Whitworth has preferred to remain on the periphery of the music department, supporting the students by attending events and concerts, but no longer being involved with teaching classes or organizing trips.

"I wouldn't trade my time at Northeastern for anything," said Whitworth. "NSU and Tahlequah will always be home to me and my wife. You couldn't chase me out of here and I'm proud to be involved with the celebration."

Members of the NSU Brass Quintet will set the tone for the Founders Day afternoon program, as they welcome guests to the south lawn of Seminary Hall with a performance under the direction of Dr. Norman Wika, assistant professor of Music and band director. The program begins at 2 p.m.

The Cherokee National Youth Choir, under the direction of Mary Kay Henderson, will also sing two songs during the ceremony, "Amazing Grace" and "Orphan Child."

Founders Day marks the 100th anniversary of the Oklahoma legislature approving the purchase of the Cherokee National Female Seminary and surrounding land from the Cherokees to create Northeastern State Normal School.

For more information on Founders Day, visit http://www.nsuok.edu/centennial/events/foundersday.html.

3/2/2009

Published: 2009-03-02 00:00:00