Handel Oratorio Society

Abstract The Handel Oratorio Society is a choral society composed of Quad City community members and local college students. It began in 1880 under the name Augustana Handel Oratorio Society and was founded by former Augustana College president, Olof Olsson. The Society is most famous for its Christmas season performance of George Frederic Handel's Messiah, which was first performed 12 April 1881. Charles Wuorinen's piece, The Celestial...

Abstract Henry Veld conducted various choral groups associated with Augustana College, including the Augustana College Choir and Handel Oratorio Society, in the mid-twentieth century. During his tenure at Augustana, Veld took the choir on annual tours where they sang in 33 of the United States, three Canadian provinces, and five European countries. In 1955, the choir appeared on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town television program where they sang "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," from the musical...