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Michigan Chorale/Youth for Understanding Collection

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Michigan Chorale/Youth for Understanding Collection

MS 2008-23

Item Data

Title: Michigan Chorale/Youth for Understanding Collection

Collection Number: MS 2008-23

Scope and Content: Music Director Robert Pratt's oral history recounts his experiences with the choir from 1964 to 1973. The interview , which was done on June 26, 2008, is 90 minutes long.

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Storyteller: Pratt, Robert

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Language: english

Type of Resource: sound recording

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Genre: personal narrative

Extent: 1 file, 51 MB

: born digital

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Technical Access Note: Researchers will need an audio player to access this file.

Subject: Youth for Understanding (Organization)

Subject: Choral music

Subject: Choirs (Music) -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor

Subject: Music -- Michigan -- Societies, etc.

Subject: Student exchange programs -- Michigan

Subject: Michigan Chorale -- Archives

Subject: Michigan Youth Chorale -- Archives

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Inclusive Dates: 2008-06-26

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Location of Originals: Archives of Michigan

Use Restrictions: Please contact the Archives of Michigan for permission to publish.

Access Restrictions: To preserve the original items, this collection is only available online.

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Biography or Historical Note: The Michigan Chorale or Michigan Youth Chorale showcased vocal talent selected from participating high schools. The chorus was associated with the Youth for Understanding Teenage Exchange Program, which was founded by Rachel Andresen in c. 1951. The purpose of the program was to acquaint students from foreign countries with American culture by having them live with Michigan families and attend local high schools. The exchange program soon expanded and gave Michigan students the opportunity to study abroad. Mrs. Andresen melded the exchange program with the music program by requiring that all vocalists qualify as exchange students before auditioning for the Chorale. Later, the Michigan Chorale was renamed the Youth for Understanding Chorale.Lester McCoy conducted fthe first tour to Germany (1958) and subsequent tours to Europe and South America (1958-1963). McCoy developed the program format of sacred and secular works, madrigals, spirtuals, folksongs and popular show tunes. Robert Pratt took over the Michigan Chorale in 1964. Pratt added international folksongs sung in the languages of the countries being visited by the group. The Michigan Chorale rehearsed weekly from November through June in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They toured during the summer and students were housed with foreign host families. At the end of each tour, a homecoming concert was held in Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Robert Pratt Oral History

Interview with Robert Pratt, Director of the Michigan Chorale, 1964-1973. Interviewed by Helen Taylor, Archivist.

Archives of Michigan https://michigan.gov/archivesofmi