Grand Forks Oratorio Society Records

Collection — Container: Two folders

Identifier: OGLMC-412

Scope and Contents

The Grand Forks Oratorio Society Records primarily consist of programs from their annual music festivals, typically held in May. The collection also includes a booklet summarizing the financing and use of the Grand Forks Auditorium, a project spearheaded by the Oratorio Society. Additionally, there is later correspondence regarding the ownership of the Auditorium.

Dates

created: 1907-1922
Other: Date acquired: 09/14/1977

Creator

Grand Forks Oratorio Society (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

Responding to requests for the creation of a choral group, the Grand Forks Oratorio Society was established in 1907. In May of that year, the inaugural spring music festival was held at the Metropolitan Opera House. Professor George A. Stout of Wesley College was the first conductor, while John W. Ogren was the first choir master. Ogren later became president of the society. Perhaps the most significant involvement of the Oratorio Society in the community was its leadership role for a new auditorium. As a result, the Grand Forks Auditorium was built at what was then North Fifth Street and Dakota Avenue and was completed in time for the third festival in May 1909. The Grand Forks Oratorio Society appears to have remained active into the 1920s.

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