Wortman, Dr. Allen (Al), 1935-. Collection, 1969-1995

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0232

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Dr. Wortman was a faculty member in the Music Department from 1966 through 1995 where he was also the director of several groups on campus. The Dr. Al Wortman collection is a collection of scrapbooks from the Ellis Street Singers between 1969 and 1995. This collection also contains a scrapbook from the Mankato State University Concert Choir between 1981 and 1991. In addition, there is a collection of audio recordings of the Ellis Street Singers and other miscellaneous groups.

This Collection has been divided into three series.

Ellis Street Singers: The Ellis Street Singers series is a collection of scrapbooks the group made between 1969 and 1995. These scrapbooks were often made by a member or several members of the group each year. The scrapbooks consist of pictures from the Ellis Street Singers training camp, as well as pictures throughout the year. There are also thank you notes from different places and people where the Ellis Street Singer performed. The Ellis Street Singer included newspaper clipping from the Mankato Free Press and news or press releases from the college. There was almost always, although not always at the beginning of the album, a roster of members for the year and the schedule of events that would take place throughout the year.

There was scrapbook given to Dr. Wortman from an Ellis Street Singer alumnus, Steve Ruzicka. This album is from 1982, and it shows the Ellis Street Singer on their Mexico trip.

The scrapbooks were in three-ring binders upon the arrival at the Southern Minnesota Historical Center. For preservation, the scrapbooks have been taken out of the binders. The unique order in the binder was preserved in placing the scrapbook in folders. The folders marked ‘covers’ consist of the covers of the binders, which had pictures and important papers glued to them.

Concert Choir: Dr. Allen Wortman was the Concert Choir director at Mankato State University between 1981 and 1991. Throughout the years as director, Dr. Wortman collected programs of the events put on by the Concert Choir as well as some photographs that were taken during that same time. Included with this series are lists of all the songs performed by the Concert Choir between 1981 and 1991, as well as lists of all the members, which years they were a part of Concert Choir, and what vocal range they sang in. There is also a Concert Choir pencil and Dr. Wortman’s name tag in the collection.

The scrapbook was in a three-ring binder upon the arrival at the Southern Minnesota Historical Center. For preservation, the scrapbook was taken out of the binder. The unique order in the binder was preserved in placing the scrapbook in folders. The folder marked ‘covers’ consist of the covers of the binder, which had a picture and a list of the songs performed by the group.

Audio and Video: These recording are mostly Ellis Street Singers, but there is also a Woman’s Chorus selection as well as an instrumental selection. None of the recordings were done professionally, but are recordings that Dr. Wortman or a member of the group recorded at the performance. Some of the audio files were originally reel to reel recordings, but have been digitized to help preserve the quality of sound. There is also a collection of cassette tapes, a few VHS tapes of the performances and three 8mm film.

Dates

1969-1995

Conditions Governing Use

There are some restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply. There may be some restrictions with duplicating the audio.

Biographical / Historical

The Ellis Street Singers began in 1969 under the direction of Dr. Al Wortman. Many students had the idea to form the group and asked Dr. Wortman if he would lead them. The group consisted of members from Mankato State College who where full time students interested in music. There was a yearly audition to be a part of the Ellis Street Singers, as well as to be in the band that played for the group. The Ellis Street Singers consisted of usually 12-16 singers and 1-6 musicians, but the numbers varied each year. The selection the Ellis Street Singers performed were popular music from the time, jazz music, and musical theater pieces. These pieces were selected by the students. Every Christmas, for the last 20 years of the group, the Ellis Street Singers performed shows at Cannon Falls, often up to 22 shows over the holiday season. The group would perform throughout Southern Minnesota and always included a trip over spring break or at the end of the year. Over the years, the group went to many different performance locations including Canada, Mount Rushmore, New Orleans, New York, Australia, and two goodwill tours to the Soviet Union. The 1995-1996 academic years were the last years of the Ellis Street Singers due to the retirement of Dr. Wortman. For the last Christmas Concert at Cannon Falls, the Ellis Street Singers performed songs they had done in previous years, and had Ellis Street Alumni come and sing with them. There have also been a few reunions of the Ellis Street Singers.

This information was compiled from the Ellis Street Singers Collection and an interview with Dr. Wortman. For more information on the Ellis Street Singers, please see http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=4003144259&v=wall&ref=ts

Choir as a class for credits began in the 1971-1972 academic year. This group was an audition based group that preformed on campus as well as throughout the area. In 1981, the group became known as Concert Choir, but still had the same premise as Choir. Dr. Wortman led the first Concert Choir group on campus and continued to direct the Concert Choir through 1991.The Concert Choir performed classical music, which was mostly religious. Sometimes the music was spiritual in nature, but the group never performed ‘pop’ music. This group is still ongoing today.

This information was compiled from the Mankato State University Bulletin and the 1971 Katonian. For more information about the Music department, please see

http://www.mnsu.edu/music/

Extent

6.00 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Dr. Wortman was a faculty member in the Music Department from 1966 through 1995 where he was also the director of several group on campus. The Dr. Al Wortman collection is a collection of scrapbooks from the Ellis Street Singers between 1969 and 1995. This collection also contains a scrapbook from the Mankato State University Concert Choir between 1981 and 1991. In addition, there is a collection of audio recordings of the Ellis Street Singers and other miscellaneous groups.

Bibliography

Dr. Allen Wortman was born January 7, 1935 in Le Claire, Iowa. He attended Central College in Iowa for his B.A. where he majored in Music and minored in German. He then attended the University of Northern Colorado for his M.A. and Ed.D in Music. In 1966, Dr. Wortman joined the faculty at Mankato State College and in 1969 he directed the Ellis Street Singers. From 1972 through 1976, Dr. Wortman served as the chair of the Music Department. Dr. Wortman directed many of the choral performances on campus before 1981, but this was when he became the director of the Concert Choir at Mankato State University. During his time at Mankato State University, Dr. Wortman was involved with 60 musicals, directed the Waseca Corral, the Minnesota Valley Corral, directed the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and held 40 music contests. In addition to being the director, he also acted in plays and operas on campus. In 1991, Dr. Wortman retired from direction the Concert Choir, but continued to direct the Ellis Street Singers until 1995, when he retired from Minnesota State Mankato. Since retirement, Dr. Wortman has continued to be active with the music department at Minnesota State University. He directs two choirs in Tucson, AZ, where he spends winters. Dr. Wortman also works with the music for the community theater.

This information was compiled by an interview with Dr. Wortman and by his folder in the University Advancement collection, MSU ARC 200.