HISTORY OF THE MIT WOMEN'S CHORALE
Since 1933, this musical organization, established at MIT by
Willian Scatchard and supported by the Women's League, has given women
in the MIT community an opportunity to sing together and has provided a
cultural and social setting for making friends.
The first singers were wives of MIT faculty, staff and students. An influx of new members joined in the 1940's; their husbands worked at the Radiation Lab housed at MIT during World War II. In 1951, the wives of Harvard faculty were invited to join, and in 1973 all women of the MIT and Harvard communities were welcomed to the group.
The membership has always been international, representing more than 25 countries. While the music sung has been primarily original compositions for women's voices by such composers as Pergolesi, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Poulenc and Britten, the national and ethnic diversity of the Chorale has been reflected in a repertoire of folk songs sung in original languages. The Chorale boasts an impressive library of music, developed and catalogued over the years.
Most of the Chorale's concerts have been at MIT, including performances at International Night. In addition, they have performed at Radcliffe's Hilles Library, the Fogg, the Gardner and the DeCordova Museums, Massachusetts General Hospital, nursing homes, retirement communities and area churches. In 1967, they were featured on Channel 5's "Dateline Boston" program.
Since its founding, the Chorale has had but five conductors. Mrs. Scatchard, the first director and founder, was with the group for 33 years, dividing her time each week between teaching music at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and developing the Chorale at MIT. Mrs. Scatchard was succeeded by Katherine Bitter from 1965-1967. Lucille Ravven became conductor in 1968 and continued until 1980, except for spring, 1970, when Elaine Koloseike led the Chorale. From 1971 to 1980, the Chorale had two conductors: Nancy Kushlan Wanger became co-conductor with Lucille Ravven and together they prepared the Chorale for concerts which they conducted alternately. Since 1980, Nancy Kushlan Wanger has been the sole conductor of the Chorale; Lucille Ravven remained devoted to the Chorale as Associate Conductor and artistic consultant until her death in 1987.
The Chorale has always had talented, dedicated and congenial accompanists. They are, chronologically: Helen Ross, Sylvia Griffith, Virginia Plunkett, Anna Korda, Ellen Staelin, Bette Fogg, Miriam Segal, Charles Carlson, Karlaine Rice, Michi C. K. Chan, Julie Crofoot, Lori Lerman, Corie Nichols, Susan Johnson, Ingrid Eppelsheimer, Ellen Staelin, who rejoined us for one semester, and now Adele Kraus. They have given of themselves, as have the conductors and the members, with enthusiasm and concern for the total project.
The voices that have filled the Emma Rogers Room every Thursday night in rehearsal for over 75 years belong to women who have shared their gifts of song with each other and with the community.
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MIT Women's Chorale
Last updated: April 2000