Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-09-14
st. Olaf Band Boys Captivate
Norway

1GF Dah D1to ~ $3.50 49,
umpbai tour thru Norway, are scat
tered far and wide-about half have
returned home, while the remainder
are still in Norway or other European
countries. 1t is doubtful il Norway
ever had a visit from an equal body
Of men who have made such a deep
i'm pression OH the people as the
young musicians composing the st.
Olaf college band. 1t is not the mus
ical success achieved by the band
which will cause it TO be remembered,
but far deeper and more lasting is
the mutual understanding and affec-
ton awakened between the two
branches of Norwegian people.
OIdcountry N~0rwegians have been
prone to regard their c~ountrymen in
America as interiors, having no idea
of possibilities Of development, not
only in a material way but In an in
~tellectual and moral. The st. Olaf
boys, like all young Americans, had
a rather hazy notion Of what Norway
really is. Now both sides know, and
what the students learned they will
impart to others of their generation,
and what Norway learned will be long
remembered.
WORDS OF RAISE.
Oerebiadet, one Of the dailies Of
Christiana, has a most iattering art
icle on the visit of the students, Of
which the following is an extract:
SLENDER, somewhat pale, as these
young st. Olaf men appeared, they
are yet hardy, sinewy, tireless, and
energetic. particularly energetic and
enthusiastic. Their music was a
blending of d~eafening triumph and
overwhelming battle cries which
must be the form Of expression in a
country where houses have twenty
stories and where money and values
are heaped on each other in dazzling
heaps under a neyer-failing energy.
And j, was born by yonBg Americas
intense religious feeling on the found
alton Of northern longing and dream
ing. When they played their marches
it was young America that marched
up-a little ~pretentious, but amazing
iy delightful. just because of the i'm
mense volume.
aBut when they played ia, vi Elsk-
err we understood that America had
not entirely swallowed them, but
that the affection for old Norway
has been latent but potential within
them, and had also acquired a touch
6f great dimensions Under this
rendition Of the national song there
was a mighty faith, a great exalting
enthusiasm, which affected us in a
manner, we vino go here
and drone out I'm a mechanical way
its magnificent words and music on
all sorts of impossible occasions. 1t
carried us along like a big storm. Nc
orchestra here plays iii the manner
of these Norsman's sons from over
such a religious deyo-
tion, such tenderness and such cap
tivating power. 1t was so easy to
understand that they who played in
such a manner were the IONS OF par
ents who year after year send SO
much from the wealth the prosperous
country has given them home to
the old, poor, dear ones.
TEa rs iRfLGw
"There were few dry eyes when the
St. Olaf boys played ia, Vi Elsker' at
their farewell concert here. And it
was significant TO note how the eyes
If all looked in wonder at the plat
from which the tones rolled
while a young pale man with
lively features I'm silent ~earnestness
waved the Norwegian flag to and fro
And thru many a mind there ran the
that II our young men at
had the same faith, the same
enthusiasm, the same energy as these
would not be 50 many Of our
lest m strongest forces to cross the
The same paper has a long inter
lew with Miss Beatrice Gjertsen.
he solOist with the band. or her it
aid:
"Some Of the most charming re-
nembrances Of the st. Olaf tour are
with The name of Miss
Gjertsen. Her clear voice,
nth the rich, warm tone sang in the
carts wherever the journey went.
young and enthusiastic and lovely.
ne flung but her voice clear as a bell.
ave OF a full heart and a rich tai
"-Minneapolis Journal. |,