A History of the Musettes

Musettes in 1976

A History of the

Musettes Ladies Chorus

By Alberta M. Hoover and Linda W. Cluff

The Springville Musettes Ladies Chorus was organized in December of 1949 at the home of Elmina Madsen, just three weeks before Christmas.  Organizers Alberta M. Hoover, Leah Huff and Mrs. Madsen called together a group of sixteen women who had expressed interest in forming a performing group, not just to provide an opportunity for expressing their musical gifts and talents, but for the cultural enrichment of the community.  Alberta Hoover would direct the group and Leah Huff
was elected President.  A string quartet was invited to accompany the chorus of at least fifteen to twenty voices, along with the piano accompaniment by Oleah Sargent.  Rehearsals were scheduled to begin the first of January 1950.

1974

In January, the newly elected officers of the Musettes met to write a constitution and by-laws to govern the group and to make their plans for upcoming events.  Though it contained very strict rules of commitment and attendance, the constitution was voted on and passed by the group.  This constitution is still used by the group today with a few revisions and amendments added over the years.  The Musettes met monthly as a club for the first five or so years, in addition to their weekly rehearsals, where they had lessons on music subjects and served refreshments.

The Musettes joined the National Federation of Music Clubs and participated in their many activities.  One of these was the Choral Festival in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square, held annually in the springtime.  This event was sponsored by the Deseret News and Telegram in which federated choruses throughout the state participated.  Each chorus came dressed in their special attire, which made a beautiful display as well as the rendering of beautiful music.  It was a special activity for the Musettes and they considered it a great opportunity to be able to participate.  The entire group of 400 participants sang in a finale number led by a guest director, who was Crawford Gates that year.  The Choral Festival continued for six or seven years and was later held in the Provo Tabernacle, sponsored by the Federated Music Clubs and the Utah State Institute of Fine Arts.

1964

The Musettes' first appearance was for the Utah Federation of Music Clubs Convention, which was held in the Joseph Smith Auditorium at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

Their first concert was presented May 31, 1950 in the Springville Fourth Ward Chapel on Center Street. It was a benefit concert for the Springville Third Ward Priest Quorum, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Numbers from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" were rendered, with Merle Schreiner as the Reader.  The string ensemble consisted of Ileen Bird, Colleen Lewis, Thora Johnson and Carol Kreth.  Piano Accompanists were Oleah Sargent and Leah Huff, with Bess Mendenhall at the organ.  Alberta Hoover directed and Vera Zobell and Dorothy Hafey were soloists.  The chorus members included Odessa Child, Dorothy Hafey, Edna Hansen, Leah Huff, Beth Jensen, Merle Schreiner and Vera Zobell, Sopranos; Elda Jensen, Elmina Madsen, Bess Mendenhall, Imogene Thorn, Melba Wheeler, and Luella Wilson, Second Sopranos; Gladys Averett, Lenore Bills, Ina Christensen, Minerva Jessee, Wilda Oakley, Afton Palfreyman, and Oleah Sargent, Altos.  From this very first appearance and throughout the years, it was required that the choral music be memorized.  The Musettes take pride in their ability to be able to meet this requirement even still to this day.  There have been very few occasions that they have held music to perform.

The Musettes meet for rehearsals each week during the months of September through May, taking the summer off.  They prepare and present two concerts per year as a public service, one at Christmastime and the other in the spring.  Other performances include religious services, public and civic club meetings, socials, funerals, conventions, etc.  Many small groups from the chorus provide musical selections for various events as well.  Never has the chorus charged for their concerts.

1994

For a number of years, the Musettes chose music from well-known composers as themes for the spring concerts given each year.  Numbers from the "Nutcracker Suite" included: The Overture, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Russian Dance, Chinese Dance, Dance of the Fairy Flutes, Trepak and Waltz of the Flowers.

Songs of Irving Berlin were: Always, Alexander's Ragtime Band, There's No Business Like Show Business, God Bless America, White Christmas, Say It With Music and Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.

Strauss Concert: Tales from the Vienna Woods, Beautiful Blue Danube, Waltz of the Seasons, Voices of Spring and Vienna Life.

Peter DeRose: When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver, Deep Purple, Wagon Wheels, I Heard A Forest Praying, God Painted A Picture and God Is Ever Beside Me.

Cantatas: Resurrection Morning, by B. Cecil Gates and Remember Me by Janice Kapp Perry.

Many of the spring concerts over the years have been of a patriotic theme, paying tribute through song to our great United States of America, our wonderful state of Utah, and the fair city of Springville, which is all of the above.

        

Some of the Musettes' favorite programs have been those using Broadway showtunes or hits from the movies.

1990

Over the years, the Musettes group has offered scholarship cash awards to deserving music students to encourage them to develop their musical talents.  To provide funding for this, they held a one-time huge rummage and bake sale in the former Friel's furniture store on Main Street (later occupied by Vaud Hanks Furniture) after it had closed and was standing empty.  This netted enough money to start this fund.  When a sufficient amount had built up in interest, they held a scholarship contest with judges to select the recipients, or they had the music department heads at the high school select the deserving students for the awards.

        

The Musettes celebrated their thirtieth year anniversary in June of 1980 with a special concert, "Say It With Music".  This was held at the downtown Villa Theater, which was offered by the management at no charge.  Wonderful memories were shared with new and former members.  The numbers included: Say It With Music, Just Hum A Little Tune, The Impossible Dream, Look For the Silver Lining, Lucky Little Cricket, Echo Song, By the Bend of the River, Voices of Spring, Romance, Climb Every Mountain, Sunrise, Sunset, Springville, Tomorrow and Collect, directed by Alberta Hoover, and accompanied by Betty Francis. During the performance, tribute was paid to the long-time Director and Accompanist, Alberta Hoover and Oleah Sargent.  Alberta was presented with a life-sized portrait of herself, and each with a beautiful silver plate on which was engraved their name and "Thirty Years of Dedicated Service".  The footnote on the program reads: "Our membership includes 47 members, with 194 children, 226 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 5 known children on the way and 4 known grandchildren coming soon".

2000

On Wednesday, June 7, 2000, another special concert program was presented to celebrate the Musettes’ fifty-year Golden Jubilee at the Springville High School auditorium.  The concert theme, “Stronger With Time” featured music selected from past concerts, including Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers, which was sung by the Musettes at their very first concert, presented in May 1950.  There were so many favorites and no time to sing them all.  So Director Linda Cluff arranged three medleys, combining parts of many in one.  There was a medley of patriotic songs, another of favorite love songs, and a third “songs of music” medley, all which had been performed by the Musettes over the years.  Other songs included Malotte’s The Lord’s Prayer, God Painted a Picture, Let There Be Peace On Earth, America-Land of the Restoration, You’re a Grand Old Flag (with special words honoring Alberta Hoover), The Big Brown Bear, Frog Capers, and The False Prophet.  Names and addresses of as many former members as possible were collected, and special letters of invitation to this concert were sent, telling them they would receive recognition.  Halfway through the program, all former members with five years of service or more were recognized with a certificate stating their years of service with the group, as well as recognition for serving as a Musettes president, if they had.  Recognition was also given if they had been a director or accompanist.  All charter members in attendance were seated on the stage, and given flowers.  Several had passed on.  The concert ended with Stronger With Time by Carl Strommen, violin obligato, Michelle Fitzgerald.  Co-directors for the evening were Linda Cluff and Marlene Button.  Accompanists were Betty Francis, Carolee Strong and Loris Hayes. Judith Wright was the president. A reception with refreshments was held immediately following the concert in the high school Little Theater.  Old costumes were collected by Colleen Schrader and displayed, and old friendships were renewed as memories were shared.

2006

  

Those who have served terms with the Musettes as directors, assistant directors, or co-directors over the years were Alberta M. Hoover, Afton Palfreyman Thomas, Linda Cluff, Janette Knight, Shauna Patrick, Marlene Bachelder, Nedra Peterson Warner, Venita Roylance, Janet Parker, Marlene Button Lauritzen, LaNiece DeFreese, Mary Jo Taylor, Sandra Davis and Marsha Clark.  Oleah H. Sargent, Bess Mendenhall, Elaine Puckett, Betty Francis, Carolee Strong, Loris Hayes, Susie Seggar, Stephanie Wagstaff, Barbara Bartholomew, and Jackie Snelson have served as accompanists or assistants.

        

Oleah Sargent retired as accompanist for the Musettes after having served about thirty years.  She passed away in June 1992.

2009

Alberta Hoover retired as director, after serving for over thirty years, to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England.  She returned and rejoined as a singer, retiring in 1999 at the age of ninety.  She passed away May 1, 2006.

Linda Cluff retired as a co-director in December of 2014 after directing for over 30 years.

2011

        

2015

The success of the Musettes today is attributed to the caring attitude of each member doing her part, as well as attention to and abiding by the Constitution and by-laws established by sixteen women in 1950, with a few modifications to adapt to current times.  

Springville, Utah

September 1, 1998

Updated October 2015