The Devils Lake world., 1922-10-04

lewis Lake, N. u.
gard have been active in its choir for
over thirty years.
During this decade, whenever extra
musical talent was needed, either for
concerts, funerals, weddings or pub
lie occasions, individuals from these
church choirs were called upon and
responded most generously.
At the beginning of the next decade
and of the new century-there was an
impetus to musical interest-and the
rest was the production of the cantata
of Queen Esther by local talent. 1t
was an ambitious effort and given
with marked success to a crowded
house in Wineman's Hall.
Herman Huesgen took the part of
Mordecia, while Dan Humphreys was
King Ahasuerus. Mrs. Stoner, Queen
Esther; H. Stuart, Haman; Anna STEM
son, Prophecies, Curtis Brainard, Beg
gar; Mrs. Grant, Mordecai's Wife;
Mrs. John S. Haslam, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Haig, Mary Cairns, Mrs. Louis
LaRue took leading roles and fifty
or more young men and women sang
in the chorus. Mrs. Silver Serumgard
, was the accompanist.
The next notable event was the con-
cert of the Norwegian Student Sing
ers from the University of Christiania,
Norway. 1t was held in the old armory
on the corner of Seventh street and
Kelly avenue, on June 5, 1905. There
were two programs, one in the after
noon and one in the evening, and be-
tween the two space was cleared
near the stage and a picked band of
Sioux warriors from Fort Totten
danced the war dance, the hunters
dance and other Indian dances for the
entertainment of the students. It rain
ed all day but the armory was crowd
ed to the doors at each performance,
People came over hundred miles to
hear the singers. Everybody, irrespec-
tive of nationality, enjoyed the songs
even the Indians.
Financially, it was the best day the
students had on their trip to the Uni
ted States and netted them eighteen
hundred dollars.
It was big day for the students,
they especially enjoyed the Indians,
and as a token of friendship. Chief
Little Fish and Director Grondahl ex-
changed bonnets. The war bonnets
and other trophies presented by the
local committee to the student sing
ers now constitute one of the most
treasured possessions of the ethnolo-
gical museum of the University of
Norway.
| The committee in charge was: Silver
Serumgard, chairman, DR.. Thor Noel
Ter, A. A. P. Odegaard, B. ]. Ness and
Tosten Brudeseth. These signed the
guaranty. It was the first time the
city relied that it was the center
of the Lake Region.
In 1911 the State Federation of
Women's Clubs had its annual conven-
tion in Devils Lake. A feature of this
convention was concert given by
musical talent gathered from all over
the state. Mrs. Siver Serumgard was
in charge of the program and she was
able to procure the services of the
best talent at the Wesley Conserva-
tory of Music, the colleges at Fargo
and the Normal schools. The noted
violinist Professor Lampert, now
dean of the Department of Music at
the University of Kentucky, accom-
panied by Professor Rowland and
Miss Cordelia Hard, pianist, and Miss
Anderson, vocal soloist, came over
from the conservatory, and Miss
Schlosser held up the banner for Val
ley City. The concert was a success
both from an artistic point of view
and financially, and very substantial
amount was added to the Federation
Endowment fund.
In the fall of 1909, the first organ.
lied effort was made to form a pure.
ly music club, it was called the Mon.
day Musical, and the moving spirits
were Mr.. and Mrs. c. A. Dodge and
daughters, Mr.. and Mrs. Silver Serum.
gard, Mrs. Falger, Miss Mary Cairns
Mr.. Earl Duell, and Miss Mary Bren.
nan, and others too numerous to men
tion. c. A. Dodge was president. A
musical program was given every 9th
er week with instructive talks on mu
sical subjects by various members
' This club was active until Tho en,.;no