Articles Page
This area documents the history of the Chorus through articles and clippings. Enlarge documents as needed. For previews and reviews of specific concerts that include significant history, see also the programs page.
[1940|1945|1950|1955|1960|1965|After 1970]
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Founding Director: Richard B. Westbrock (below right) received his early musical training in Detroit prior to Inland general manager Wallace Whittaker appointing him as director of the Inland Children's Chorus in 1936. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1936: The Inland Children's Chorus first performs on December 20, 1936. Inland general manager Wallace Whittaker, who established the Chorus, comments on the performance. Included are photos of Richard Westbrock, founding director, and Raymond Sovey, Broadway theatrical designer who staged the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1937: A society section article reports that the Boy and Girl Scout campaign will conclude by featuring the Chorus. The originators have "set for themselves the goal of making it the finest industrial children's choir in the world." Click on the image below to view.
June 1937: Newspapers include photo features on the Chorus as it prepares to perform at the closing of the area Boy and Girl Scout combined campaign. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
June 1937: Several newspapers cover the first public concert of the Inland Children's Chorus on June 4, 1937. The program lists the members names and the music performed. Click on the image below and scroll to view. See also the programs page.
June 1937: The Inlander profiles those at Inland who participated in the staging for the Scout campaign performance. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
September 1937: The Inlander publishes a report on a picnic given for Chorus members at Dayton's Triangle Park. Click on the image below and scroll to view. See also the snapshot album for original photos from this event.
Fall 1937: The Dayton Philharmonic Association and newspaper articles preview the first Chorus appearance with the Orchestra at its December 21 concert. One article states that the Chorus is now "part of the musical life of Dayton, and one of its most important cultural developments." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1937: The Dayton Daily News profiles Broadway theatrical designer and two-time Tony Award nominee Raymond Sovey. A key figure in Chorus history, Sovey describes why he took time from his busy New York schedule to work in Dayton on the staging of the Chorus." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1937: The Dayton Daily News announces the upcoming concert and praises the Chorus as "that beautiful organization established last year through the ambition and generosity of Wallace Whittaker." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1937: The Dayton Journal states that the Chorus "may be described as Dayton's preservation and interpretation of the best traditions of Christmas" and notes that the Chorus "has come to be recognized as one of the outstanding groups of its kind in the United States." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1937: The Inlander includes photos of Chorus members and comments from newspaper reviews of the first concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
March 1938: Inland management announces that increasing applications to the Chorus require establishing specific regulations for membership. Click on the image below to view.
June 1938: The Dayton Herald reports briefly in an entertainment news column that "because of economic necessities, the public spring concert of the Inland Children's chorus will be abandoned this year." Click on the image below to view.
July 1938: A major newspaper feature announces the upcoming season of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The third concert will feature the Chorus, most notably in its "annual appearance." Click on the image below to view.
December 1938: See an announcement and the draft script for an interview to be broadcast on WHIO radio with Inland's Wallace Whittaker and Chorus Director Richard Westbrock. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1938: The Dayton Daily News notes the upcoming concert and reports that logistics prohibited the Chorus from accepting an invitation to perform in Baltimore for the National Federation of Music Clubs. Click on the image below to view. 
December 1938: Two articles report that out-of-town music critics will be guests of Inland general manager Wallace Whittaker at the upcoming concert, "one of the social-musical highlights of the holiday season." Click on the image below and scroll to view. 
November 1939: A society section feature describes the Chorus at practice and offers insight into how music and performance can transform children into a chorus, as described elsewhere, with "professional finesse." Click on the image below to view.
December 1939: The Inlander includes photos of the concert group and Chorus members with Wallace Whittaker, founding general manager of Inland. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
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December 1940: A society section column reports on the interactions of Chorus members with director Richard Westbrock at a rehearsal for an upcoming concert. Click on the image below to view.
December 1940: The Dayton Daily News includes a Section Two front-page feature with behind-the-scenes photos of a dress rehearsal with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for the upcoming concert. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1940: The Dayton Herald reports on the staging of the Chorus by Broadway theatrical designer Raymond Sovey who returned to refine his work. Click on the image below to view.
December 1940: Newspaper clippings report that the Chorus will broadcast The Story of Bethlehem (23min) from the Dayton Art Institute over WLW radio in Cincinnati. A rare script of the broadcast reflects a world facing war. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
August 1941: The Inlander publishes photos from the annual picnic at LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park near Middletown, Ohio. Included are original and unpublished photos. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: Two Newspaper articles describe an upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert was performed ten days after the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: The Chorus will broadcast to over 100 stations of the CBS network, one article notes the Chorus "derived from a small children's chorus from 20 years ago" appearing on an Inland employee Christmas program. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: Newspaper announcements describe the nation-wide broadcast of the Chorus as "General Motors' Christmas Card to America." One article refers to the "professional finesse" of the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: Dramatic front pages list the CBS national radio broadcast of the Chorus. The Dayton Herald also marks the first performance of Deeds Carillon with a striking nighttime photo by James Keen. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: The Inlander features a photo of the Chorus performing with the Dayton Philharmonic and images from the annual party only two weeks after Pearl Harbor. Wallace Whittaker, General Manager, looks forward to a future when "uncertainty will have been removed." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
June 1942: Three newspapers report the appointment of John D. O'Brien to replace Wallace Whittaker as Inland General Manager. Whittaker founded the Chorus during the Depression while it gained national prominence. O'Brien nurtured the Chorus for nearly twenty years, for example, adding the popular winter series at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
June 1942: Chorus performs on a remote broadcast from the Dayton Art Institute for a CBS program addressed to soldiers in the Air Service Command throughout the world. Click on the image below to view.
January 1943: Music critic A. S. Kany reviews this first performance of the popular winter series at the Dayton Art Institute that would continue beyond 1970. No program is available for the concert, but these articles list the selections performed. Broadway theatrical designer Raymond Sovey expresses "excitement" working with the Chorus. Click the image below and scroll to view.
May 1943: The Inlander offers hope in the midst of World War II as it describes upcoming concerts in which the children will "raise their lovely voices to inspire new hope and prophecy of happier days to come." Click on the image below to view.
December 1943: The Inlander and newspapers report that the Dayton Philharmonic has added an additional performance with the Chorus to accommodate popular demand. No program is available for this concert, but the articles list the selections performed. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1943: The Christmas issue of The Inlander features a dramatic cover with illustration art by George Harr. The issue includes a concert photo and announces upcoming broadcasts on radio stations WHIO and WING. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1944: The second Chamber of Commerce concert is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Julia Shaw Carnell, "donor of the institute building to the city." This website does not have a program for the concert, but these articles list the selections performed. Click on the image below to view.
April 1944: The Chorus performs during the visit to the Dayton Art Institute of Francis Henry Taylor, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Taylor predicts a renaissance of art and religion in the coming post-war era. Click on the image below to view.
May 1944: The Inlander cover shows Angela Mae Lehman who concludes eight years with the Chorus. A four-page spread includes photos of Chorus members and their families as well as a preview of upcoming concerts. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
October 1944: The Billboard magazine includes a feature article ("Dayton Plans Top Big Name '43-'44 Series") that lists Chorus performances on December 16 and 17. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
Fall 1944: The Inlander cites words of appreciation from Angela Mae Lehman, a charter Chorus member (1936-1944) and a newspaper notes her performance two years later at her high school graduation. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
October 1944: Photo features report the visit to Dayton of Milton J. Cross, known as "the voice of the Metropolitan Opera." The Chorus performed and presented an autographed record album to Mr. Cross. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1944: The GM national employee magazine features the Chorus on its cover. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1944: The Dayton Sunday Journal-Herald includes a cover article with two-page photo spread on the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1944: The Dayton Daily News includes a photo of Chorus members Linda Crumb and James Lehman in an article describing a pair of upcoming concerts with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below to view.
December 1944: An article notes the recent extraordinary publicity about the Chorus, which is rapidly becoming "a Christmas institution in Dayton," and notes the times the Chorus will be heard on two Dayton radio stations. Click on the image below to view.
December 1944: The Inlander includes a concert Chorus photo and notes that both WING and WHIO radio will broadcast "The Story of Bethlehem" by the Chorus on Christmas Eve. Click on the image below to view.
December 1940: A society section column reports on the interactions of Chorus members with director Richard Westbrock at a rehearsal for an upcoming concert. Click on the image below to view.
December 1940: The Dayton Daily News includes a Section Two front-page feature with behind-the-scenes photos of a dress rehearsal with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for the upcoming concert. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1940: The Dayton Herald reports on the staging of the Chorus by Broadway theatrical designer Raymond Sovey who returned to refine his work. Click on the image below to view.
December 1940: Newspaper clippings report that the Chorus will broadcast The Story of Bethlehem (23min) from the Dayton Art Institute over WLW radio in Cincinnati. A rare script of the broadcast reflects a world facing war. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
August 1941: The Inlander publishes photos from the annual picnic at LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park near Middletown, Ohio. Included are original and unpublished photos. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: Two Newspaper articles describe an upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert was performed ten days after the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: The Chorus will broadcast to over 100 stations of the CBS network, one article notes the Chorus "derived from a small children's chorus from 20 years ago" appearing on an Inland employee Christmas program. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: Newspaper announcements describe the nation-wide broadcast of the Chorus as "General Motors' Christmas Card to America." One article refers to the "professional finesse" of the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: Dramatic front pages list the CBS national radio broadcast of the Chorus. The Dayton Herald also marks the first performance of Deeds Carillon with a striking nighttime photo by James Keen. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1941: The Inlander features a photo of the Chorus performing with the Dayton Philharmonic and images from the annual party only two weeks after Pearl Harbor. Wallace Whittaker, General Manager, looks forward to a future when "uncertainty will have been removed." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
June 1942: Three newspapers report the appointment of John D. O'Brien to replace Wallace Whittaker as Inland General Manager. Whittaker founded the Chorus during the Depression while it gained national prominence. O'Brien nurtured the Chorus for nearly twenty years, for example, adding the popular winter series at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
June 1942: Chorus performs on a remote broadcast from the Dayton Art Institute for a CBS program addressed to soldiers in the Air Service Command throughout the world. Click on the image below to view.
January 1943: Music critic A. S. Kany reviews this first performance of the popular winter series at the Dayton Art Institute that would continue beyond 1970. No program is available for the concert, but these articles list the selections performed. Broadway theatrical designer Raymond Sovey expresses "excitement" working with the Chorus. Click the image below and scroll to view.
May 1943: The Inlander offers hope in the midst of World War II as it describes upcoming concerts in which the children will "raise their lovely voices to inspire new hope and prophecy of happier days to come." Click on the image below to view.
December 1943: The Inlander and newspapers report that the Dayton Philharmonic has added an additional performance with the Chorus to accommodate popular demand. No program is available for this concert, but the articles list the selections performed. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1943: The Christmas issue of The Inlander features a dramatic cover with illustration art by George Harr. The issue includes a concert photo and announces upcoming broadcasts on radio stations WHIO and WING. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1944: The second Chamber of Commerce concert is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Julia Shaw Carnell, "donor of the institute building to the city." This website does not have a program for the concert, but these articles list the selections performed. Click on the image below to view.
April 1944: The Chorus performs during the visit to the Dayton Art Institute of Francis Henry Taylor, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Taylor predicts a renaissance of art and religion in the coming post-war era. Click on the image below to view.
May 1944: The Inlander cover shows Angela Mae Lehman who concludes eight years with the Chorus. A four-page spread includes photos of Chorus members and their families as well as a preview of upcoming concerts. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
October 1944: The Billboard magazine includes a feature article ("Dayton Plans Top Big Name '43-'44 Series") that lists Chorus performances on December 16 and 17. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
Fall 1944: The Inlander cites words of appreciation from Angela Mae Lehman, a charter Chorus member (1936-1944) and a newspaper notes her performance two years later at her high school graduation. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
October 1944: Photo features report the visit to Dayton of Milton J. Cross, known as "the voice of the Metropolitan Opera." The Chorus performed and presented an autographed record album to Mr. Cross. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1944: The GM national employee magazine features the Chorus on its cover. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1944: The Dayton Sunday Journal-Herald includes a cover article with two-page photo spread on the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1944: The Dayton Daily News includes a photo of Chorus members Linda Crumb and James Lehman in an article describing a pair of upcoming concerts with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below to view.
December 1944: An article notes the recent extraordinary publicity about the Chorus, which is rapidly becoming "a Christmas institution in Dayton," and notes the times the Chorus will be heard on two Dayton radio stations. Click on the image below to view.
December 1944: The Inlander includes a concert Chorus photo and notes that both WING and WHIO radio will broadcast "The Story of Bethlehem" by the Chorus on Christmas Eve. Click on the image below to view.
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January 1945: Former Chorus member Barbara Cameron is hired as vocalist on WLW in Cincinnati replacing Doris Day. Cameron's career would range from appearing with the Cincinnati Symphony to writing and performing The Road Runner Show theme for Warner Brothers. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
Spring 1945: An article states that the Chorus is "the first of its type to be established by an industrial concern" as it describes a series of upcoming concerts. Click on the image below to view.
September 1945: A newspaper spread refers to the appearance of the Chorus as "One of the most colorful and inspiring musical programs of the entire Yuletide Season." Click on the image below to view.
December 1945: Newspaper articles describe the upcoming concert and the Christmas Eve broadcast on two radio stations. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1945: The Dayton Herald reports that Charles F. Kettering -- head of research at General Motors for 27 years and renowned American inventor, engineer, and philanthropist -- will speak at the upcoming concert. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1945: Broadway theatrical designer Raymond Sovey returns often to Dayton to supervise the stage decor for upcoming concerts. One review states that Sovey added "new and extremely effective lighting effects" that reached their climax with the stage bathed in a soft blue haze as the chorus sang "Silent Night." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1946: At the spring concert J. D. O'Brien announces the formation of the Linden Center Children's Chorus under Inland sponsorship. See his comments and an article the year following the announcement. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
September 1946: Major ads and a publicity piece describe the upcoming musical season. Milton Cross, "voice of the Metropolitan Opera," calls the Chorus "one of the most unique and inspiring programs of its kind in the country." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1947: Two articles describe upcoming performances with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and one highlights the graduation of 16-year-old Patty Weaver, the only chorus member to have sung for ten years. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
March 1948: Several articles describe upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. No program is available for this concert, but these articles list the selections performed. Click on the image below to view.
Spring 1949: The Dayton Daily News shows Chorus member and newspaperboy Thomas Pfeiffer with director Richard Westbrock preparing for a series of concerts at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
December 1949: Chorus members Barbara Bilbrey, Jeanne Lamoreux, Dan Topp, and Darrell Lauer are featured in a newspaper photo clipping announcing the upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic. Click on the image below to view.
January 1945: Former Chorus member Barbara Cameron is hired as vocalist on WLW in Cincinnati replacing Doris Day. Cameron's career would range from appearing with the Cincinnati Symphony to writing and performing The Road Runner Show theme for Warner Brothers. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
Spring 1945: An article states that the Chorus is "the first of its type to be established by an industrial concern" as it describes a series of upcoming concerts. Click on the image below to view.
September 1945: A newspaper spread refers to the appearance of the Chorus as "One of the most colorful and inspiring musical programs of the entire Yuletide Season." Click on the image below to view.
December 1945: Newspaper articles describe the upcoming concert and the Christmas Eve broadcast on two radio stations. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1945: The Dayton Herald reports that Charles F. Kettering -- head of research at General Motors for 27 years and renowned American inventor, engineer, and philanthropist -- will speak at the upcoming concert. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1945: Broadway theatrical designer Raymond Sovey returns often to Dayton to supervise the stage decor for upcoming concerts. One review states that Sovey added "new and extremely effective lighting effects" that reached their climax with the stage bathed in a soft blue haze as the chorus sang "Silent Night." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1946: At the spring concert J. D. O'Brien announces the formation of the Linden Center Children's Chorus under Inland sponsorship. See his comments and an article the year following the announcement. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
September 1946: Major ads and a publicity piece describe the upcoming musical season. Milton Cross, "voice of the Metropolitan Opera," calls the Chorus "one of the most unique and inspiring programs of its kind in the country." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1947: Two articles describe upcoming performances with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and one highlights the graduation of 16-year-old Patty Weaver, the only chorus member to have sung for ten years. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
March 1948: Several articles describe upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. No program is available for this concert, but these articles list the selections performed. Click on the image below to view.
Spring 1949: The Dayton Daily News shows Chorus member and newspaperboy Thomas Pfeiffer with director Richard Westbrock preparing for a series of concerts at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
December 1949: Chorus members Barbara Bilbrey, Jeanne Lamoreux, Dan Topp, and Darrell Lauer are featured in a newspaper photo clipping announcing the upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic. Click on the image below to view.
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January 1950: Newspaper clippings announce that Robert Connair hopes to start an alumni organization for former members of the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
May 1950: Newspaper reviews praise the spring performance and note that the Chorus sang Ketelby's "In a Monastery Garden" in tribute to the late Joseph V. Cuni who "had been active in all arrangements for the chorus since its inception." Click on the image below to view.
December 1950: A clipping shows Richard Westbrock directing Chorus members as they prepare for an upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below to view.
June 1951: An editorial in the Journal Herald praises the appointment of Inland's John D. O'Brien to the Dayton-Montgomery county public library board of trustees and his commitment as an industrial leader to cultural institutions. Click on the image below to view.
October 1951: A full-page ad for the upcoming symphony season includes a photo of Richard Westbrock and notes that the Chorus, one of the "outstanding in the country," will perform during at the Christmas program. Click on the image below to view.
December 1951: The Chorus will be heard nationally on a Christmas Eve broadcast narrated by ABC news analyst Henry J. Taylor and promoted in many local newspapers, such as The Jackson Sun (Tennessee). Click on the image below to view.
January 1952: Newspapers highlight the upcoming national television appearance of the Chorus on Steve Allen's "Stars for Polio." Steve Allen was the first host of NBC's The Tonight Show. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1952: The Chorus begins its 16th season at the Dayton Art Institute. No program is available for the concert, but this article lists the selections performed. Click on the image below to view.
March 1952: Charter Chorus member Angela Mae Lehman is shown in a publicity photo and "making a name for herself on Broadway--but the name is Joan Lamont," according to an article in The Dayton Daily News. Click on the image below to view.
February 1953: Newspaper photos show a tailor measuring boys for their costumes and other Chorus members arranging flowers for the March 1 performance at the Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
September 1953: The noted columnist Marj Heyduck publishes Robert Connair's appeal to reach graduates "to take part in the biggest venture of the chorus" (the Nicolas Cantata). Click on the image below to view.
December 1953: Eileen Slattery is featured in Debussy's "The Blessed Damosel." The Journal Herald reports that for eight years she "was a member of the Inland Children's Chorus" and now a senior at the Cincinnati College of Music. Click on the image below to view.
December 1953: Eleazar de Carvalho (left), conductor of the Rio de Janeiro Symphony Orchestra, congratulates Hugh Ross and Richard Westbrock on the world premier stage production of Benjamin Britten's Saint Nicolas. Various related articles were published and a reception for the principals was hosted by civic leader Miriam Rosenthal. Click the image below and scroll to view. See also the concert program for "Who's Who" and professional photos of Hugh Ross and David Lloyd.
February 1954: Chorus members Patrick Caulfield and Beverly Hoover are shown in a newspaper article describing the upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
July 1954: A newspaper article shows Chorus member Charles Marshall II in his Eaton suit that he will wear when he is formally presented to the American ambassador in Copenhagen, Denmark. Click on the image below to view.
January 1950: Newspaper clippings announce that Robert Connair hopes to start an alumni organization for former members of the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
May 1950: Newspaper reviews praise the spring performance and note that the Chorus sang Ketelby's "In a Monastery Garden" in tribute to the late Joseph V. Cuni who "had been active in all arrangements for the chorus since its inception." Click on the image below to view.
December 1950: A clipping shows Richard Westbrock directing Chorus members as they prepare for an upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below to view.
June 1951: An editorial in the Journal Herald praises the appointment of Inland's John D. O'Brien to the Dayton-Montgomery county public library board of trustees and his commitment as an industrial leader to cultural institutions. Click on the image below to view.
October 1951: A full-page ad for the upcoming symphony season includes a photo of Richard Westbrock and notes that the Chorus, one of the "outstanding in the country," will perform during at the Christmas program. Click on the image below to view.
December 1951: The Chorus will be heard nationally on a Christmas Eve broadcast narrated by ABC news analyst Henry J. Taylor and promoted in many local newspapers, such as The Jackson Sun (Tennessee). Click on the image below to view.
January 1952: Newspapers highlight the upcoming national television appearance of the Chorus on Steve Allen's "Stars for Polio." Steve Allen was the first host of NBC's The Tonight Show. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1952: The Chorus begins its 16th season at the Dayton Art Institute. No program is available for the concert, but this article lists the selections performed. Click on the image below to view.
March 1952: Charter Chorus member Angela Mae Lehman is shown in a publicity photo and "making a name for herself on Broadway--but the name is Joan Lamont," according to an article in The Dayton Daily News. Click on the image below to view.
February 1953: Newspaper photos show a tailor measuring boys for their costumes and other Chorus members arranging flowers for the March 1 performance at the Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
September 1953: The noted columnist Marj Heyduck publishes Robert Connair's appeal to reach graduates "to take part in the biggest venture of the chorus" (the Nicolas Cantata). Click on the image below to view.
December 1953: Eileen Slattery is featured in Debussy's "The Blessed Damosel." The Journal Herald reports that for eight years she "was a member of the Inland Children's Chorus" and now a senior at the Cincinnati College of Music. Click on the image below to view.
December 1953: Eleazar de Carvalho (left), conductor of the Rio de Janeiro Symphony Orchestra, congratulates Hugh Ross and Richard Westbrock on the world premier stage production of Benjamin Britten's Saint Nicolas. Various related articles were published and a reception for the principals was hosted by civic leader Miriam Rosenthal. Click the image below and scroll to view. See also the concert program for "Who's Who" and professional photos of Hugh Ross and David Lloyd.
February 1954: Chorus members Patrick Caulfield and Beverly Hoover are shown in a newspaper article describing the upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
July 1954: A newspaper article shows Chorus member Charles Marshall II in his Eaton suit that he will wear when he is formally presented to the American ambassador in Copenhagen, Denmark. Click on the image below to view.
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January 1955: Published obituaries and editorials lament the sudden death of founding director Richard B. Westbrock. John D. O'Brien, General Manager, writes that "Richard Westbrock's influence will be felt for a great many years in our community." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 1955: John D. O'Brien states in The Inlander and in earlier newspaper reports the company's intention to continue the Inland Children's Chorus. He describes why an industrial corporation would sponsor such an activity. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
Summer 1955: The Inlander and two newspapers announce the appointment of Joseph P. Geiger who directed the Chorus from 1955 to 1970. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
September 1955: The Dayton Daily News profiles charter Chorus member June Albers who will appear in Kismet and other performances in Australia and New Zealand. Click on the image below to view.
December 1955: The GM national employee magazine includes a feature article on the Chorus ("one of the country's outstanding children's singing groups") with behind-the-scenes photos. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1956: Two newspaper articles announce upcoming performances that will include Franck's "Panis Angelicus" and Moeller's "The Happy Wanderer." Shown below (from left) are Nancy Donisi, Joe Sharp, and Frances Little. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1956: Concerts at the Dayton Art Institute often included multiple performances to accommodate large audiences. Click on the image below to view.
April 1956: The Inlander announces the Chorus graduates and the upcoming spring concert. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: The Journal Herald announces that the Inland Children's Chorus will perform with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time under the direction of Joseph Geiger. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: The Journal Herald shows Director Joseph Geiger with Chorus members in preparation for the upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: A photo clipping from The Dayton Daily News shows Joseph Geiger rehearsing Chorus members for the upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: The Christmas issue of The Inlander features a full front-page illustration and a second page report on a joint concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1957: Newspaper articles report on two upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. One clipping features a photo of six members from two families. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
July 1957: A photo feature shows images from the annual picnic at LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park. Click on the image below to view.
September 1957: Former Chorus member Lt. William (Bill) McCord is profiled in The Daily Ardmoreite because he will direct the Ardmore, Oklahoma Civic Chorus. The article states that he was a soloist with the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1957: The Christmas issue of The Inlander includes a feature article on the Chorus with photos in the practice room at The Loretto. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1958: Chorus members Linda, Danny, and Beverly Hoover are featured in a photo with an article about two upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
May 1958: An article reports on the Chorus members who graduated at the recent concert and describes the tribute given for the 50th anniversary of General Motors Corporation. Click on the image below to view.
April 1959: A clipping announces Chorus members who graduated at the recent concert. Click on the image below to view.
Fall 1959: A news clipping reports that Joseph P. Geiger has 245 children rehearsing, seventy of which are "new this year and many will find a place in the famed singing group, which is starting its 24th season." Click on the image below to view.
December 1959: A cover feature includes photos of Chorus members who will participate in the upcoming Christmas concert, which will mark the sixth year for Joseph Geiger as Director of the Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
January 1955: Published obituaries and editorials lament the sudden death of founding director Richard B. Westbrock. John D. O'Brien, General Manager, writes that "Richard Westbrock's influence will be felt for a great many years in our community." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 1955: John D. O'Brien states in The Inlander and in earlier newspaper reports the company's intention to continue the Inland Children's Chorus. He describes why an industrial corporation would sponsor such an activity. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
Summer 1955: The Inlander and two newspapers announce the appointment of Joseph P. Geiger who directed the Chorus from 1955 to 1970. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
September 1955: The Dayton Daily News profiles charter Chorus member June Albers who will appear in Kismet and other performances in Australia and New Zealand. Click on the image below to view.
December 1955: The GM national employee magazine includes a feature article on the Chorus ("one of the country's outstanding children's singing groups") with behind-the-scenes photos. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1956: Two newspaper articles announce upcoming performances that will include Franck's "Panis Angelicus" and Moeller's "The Happy Wanderer." Shown below (from left) are Nancy Donisi, Joe Sharp, and Frances Little. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1956: Concerts at the Dayton Art Institute often included multiple performances to accommodate large audiences. Click on the image below to view.
April 1956: The Inlander announces the Chorus graduates and the upcoming spring concert. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: The Journal Herald announces that the Inland Children's Chorus will perform with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time under the direction of Joseph Geiger. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: The Journal Herald shows Director Joseph Geiger with Chorus members in preparation for the upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: A photo clipping from The Dayton Daily News shows Joseph Geiger rehearsing Chorus members for the upcoming concert with the Dayton Philharmonic. Click on the image below to view.
December 1956: The Christmas issue of The Inlander features a full front-page illustration and a second page report on a joint concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1957: Newspaper articles report on two upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. One clipping features a photo of six members from two families. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
July 1957: A photo feature shows images from the annual picnic at LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park. Click on the image below to view.
September 1957: Former Chorus member Lt. William (Bill) McCord is profiled in The Daily Ardmoreite because he will direct the Ardmore, Oklahoma Civic Chorus. The article states that he was a soloist with the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1957: The Christmas issue of The Inlander includes a feature article on the Chorus with photos in the practice room at The Loretto. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1958: Chorus members Linda, Danny, and Beverly Hoover are featured in a photo with an article about two upcoming performances at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
May 1958: An article reports on the Chorus members who graduated at the recent concert and describes the tribute given for the 50th anniversary of General Motors Corporation. Click on the image below to view.
April 1959: A clipping announces Chorus members who graduated at the recent concert. Click on the image below to view.
Fall 1959: A news clipping reports that Joseph P. Geiger has 245 children rehearsing, seventy of which are "new this year and many will find a place in the famed singing group, which is starting its 24th season." Click on the image below to view.
December 1959: A cover feature includes photos of Chorus members who will participate in the upcoming Christmas concert, which will mark the sixth year for Joseph Geiger as Director of the Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
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February 1960: Chorus members "Bunny" Loges and Don Stevens are shown in one of two articles previewing the upcoming concert at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
May 1960: The Inlander shows Chorus graduates honored and the "senior chorus" introduced at the spring concert. Another photo shows GM's top executives who reportedly attended the concert. Click on the image below to view.
November 1960: The Inlander announces the Silver Anniversary Concert with a front-page spread on the history of the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1960: The Dayton Daily News announces the Silver Anniversary concert with a photo of Chorus members John Stevens, Diann Thomas, and Don Stevens. The Journal Herald praises the tradition of the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1961: The Inlander includes photos from the Silver Anniversary concert and announces the retirement of John D. O'Brien who is presented plaque from members of the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 1961: An article announces 19 members to graduate at the upcoming concert. Click on the image below to view.
April 1962: A newspaper article reports on a special concert performed for the Civic Music Association on Saturday, April 14 at the National Cash Register Company Auditorium. The article includes a listing of the music performed by the Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1963: A feature article with photos describes a typical Chorus practice. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1964: An article includes behind-the-scenes photos from the Christmas concert. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
March 1964: The Dayton Daily News reports that 1958 Chorus graduate Ludlow Hallman will join the Santa Fe Opera. Click on the image below to view.
April/May 1964: The Inlander and a newspaper announce details of the program and the graduates to be recognized at the upcoming spring concert on May 12. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 1960: Chorus members "Bunny" Loges and Don Stevens are shown in one of two articles previewing the upcoming concert at the Dayton Art Institute. Click on the image below to view.
May 1960: The Inlander shows Chorus graduates honored and the "senior chorus" introduced at the spring concert. Another photo shows GM's top executives who reportedly attended the concert. Click on the image below to view.
November 1960: The Inlander announces the Silver Anniversary Concert with a front-page spread on the history of the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1960: The Dayton Daily News announces the Silver Anniversary concert with a photo of Chorus members John Stevens, Diann Thomas, and Don Stevens. The Journal Herald praises the tradition of the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1961: The Inlander includes photos from the Silver Anniversary concert and announces the retirement of John D. O'Brien who is presented plaque from members of the Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 1961: An article announces 19 members to graduate at the upcoming concert. Click on the image below to view.
April 1962: A newspaper article reports on a special concert performed for the Civic Music Association on Saturday, April 14 at the National Cash Register Company Auditorium. The article includes a listing of the music performed by the Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1963: A feature article with photos describes a typical Chorus practice. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1964: An article includes behind-the-scenes photos from the Christmas concert. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
March 1964: The Dayton Daily News reports that 1958 Chorus graduate Ludlow Hallman will join the Santa Fe Opera. Click on the image below to view.
April/May 1964: The Inlander and a newspaper announce details of the program and the graduates to be recognized at the upcoming spring concert on May 12. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
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May 1965: Dayton USA profiles the Chorus in a feature article with photos. The article details the contribution to the community and educational value to young people that comes from performing before large audiences. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1965: An article quotes Chorus graduates who reflect on the value of their experience and includes a photo with Judy Westbrock, the last of the founding director's children to participate. Click on the image below to view.
May 1965: A Journal Herald article laments the decline of industry music organizations, such as orchestras and choruses. The Inland Children's Chorus is cited as a notable exception. Click on the image below to view.
November 1965: A cover article announces the upcoming concert that will include "special stage effects." Click on the image below to view.
December 1965: The Inlander introduces James A. Will as the new accompanist for the Chorus and describes upcoming television appearances on Dayton's NBC affiliate. Click on the image below to view.
January 1966: A photo feature describes the 1965 Christmas concert at Memorial Hall and television appearances on the Johnny Gilbert Show. Click on the image below to view.
May 1966: Graduating Chorus members suggest the educational power of music and performance through "self-discipline" and "satisfaction out of working to entertain people." Click on the image below to view.
May 1966: The Dayton Daily News reports the largest number of graduates to take part in their last concert with the Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1966: A newspaper insert announces the television appearances of the Chorus with entertainer Johnny Gilbert who later became the announcer and distinctive voice of the television game show Jeopardy! Click on the image below to view.
December 1966: The Inlander reports and a newspaper ad announces that the Chorus will appear on Johnny Gilbert's television special "Christmas at Home." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1967: The Inlander features both the 1966 Christmas concert and television appearances with Johnny Gilbert. Click on the image below to view. Click on this link to view Johnny's 1967 interview at the Stratford House in Dayton with legendary talk show host Mike Douglas [courtesy of Johnny Gilbert - 2019].
December 1967: A photo clipping shows the concert and junior choruses in a scene from the 1967 Christmas concert at Memorial Hall. Click on the image below to view.
January 1968: A cover article describes a White House performance by former Chorus member Joy Clements (Joyce Marie Albrecht) and her substantial career as a lyric coloratura soprano at the Metropolitan Opera. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1968: An entertainment listing features former Chorus member Joseph Merrill Albrecht (and brother of Joy Clements) who will perform with his wife Peggy at Wright State University in A German Requiem by Brahms. Click on the image below to view.
April 1968: A cover article describes two generations of Chorus members: LaDonna (Beatty) White and her daughters Marilyn Jean and Gretchen. The upcoming concert on May 14 will honor the Chorus graduates. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1968: The Inlander eulogizes long-time general manager J. D. O'Brien and announces the retirement of Marcella Sprauer who is shown with a Chorus scrapbook she has maintained. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1968: A photo feature shows a scene from the May 14 concert and includes photos of graduate Mark Magee and the Chappie's family Chorus alumni. Click on the image below.
February 1969: The Journal Herald announces that the Chorus will premiere at its upcoming concert "Dayton, The City Beautiful" with music by Joseph Geiger and James Will and lyrics by Miriam Page. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 1970: The Inlander announces the Chorus graduates and the upcoming May 12 concert at which "former Chorus members Joan and Jane Boston, Alfred Wimmers and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Schamel will be featured soloists and dancers." Click on the image below to view.
July 1970: Inland's T.O. Mathues writes parents on the official dissolution of the Inland Children's Chorus, which Betty Dietz reports in The Dayton Daily News. The Dayton Journal Herald publishes a parent's response. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1965: Dayton USA profiles the Chorus in a feature article with photos. The article details the contribution to the community and educational value to young people that comes from performing before large audiences. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1965: An article quotes Chorus graduates who reflect on the value of their experience and includes a photo with Judy Westbrock, the last of the founding director's children to participate. Click on the image below to view.
May 1965: A Journal Herald article laments the decline of industry music organizations, such as orchestras and choruses. The Inland Children's Chorus is cited as a notable exception. Click on the image below to view.
November 1965: A cover article announces the upcoming concert that will include "special stage effects." Click on the image below to view.
December 1965: The Inlander introduces James A. Will as the new accompanist for the Chorus and describes upcoming television appearances on Dayton's NBC affiliate. Click on the image below to view.
January 1966: A photo feature describes the 1965 Christmas concert at Memorial Hall and television appearances on the Johnny Gilbert Show. Click on the image below to view.
May 1966: Graduating Chorus members suggest the educational power of music and performance through "self-discipline" and "satisfaction out of working to entertain people." Click on the image below to view.
May 1966: The Dayton Daily News reports the largest number of graduates to take part in their last concert with the Chorus. Click on the image below to view.
December 1966: A newspaper insert announces the television appearances of the Chorus with entertainer Johnny Gilbert who later became the announcer and distinctive voice of the television game show Jeopardy! Click on the image below to view.
December 1966: The Inlander reports and a newspaper ad announces that the Chorus will appear on Johnny Gilbert's television special "Christmas at Home." Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1967: The Inlander features both the 1966 Christmas concert and television appearances with Johnny Gilbert. Click on the image below to view. Click on this link to view Johnny's 1967 interview at the Stratford House in Dayton with legendary talk show host Mike Douglas [courtesy of Johnny Gilbert - 2019].
December 1967: A photo clipping shows the concert and junior choruses in a scene from the 1967 Christmas concert at Memorial Hall. Click on the image below to view.
January 1968: A cover article describes a White House performance by former Chorus member Joy Clements (Joyce Marie Albrecht) and her substantial career as a lyric coloratura soprano at the Metropolitan Opera. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
January 1968: An entertainment listing features former Chorus member Joseph Merrill Albrecht (and brother of Joy Clements) who will perform with his wife Peggy at Wright State University in A German Requiem by Brahms. Click on the image below to view.
April 1968: A cover article describes two generations of Chorus members: LaDonna (Beatty) White and her daughters Marilyn Jean and Gretchen. The upcoming concert on May 14 will honor the Chorus graduates. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1968: The Inlander eulogizes long-time general manager J. D. O'Brien and announces the retirement of Marcella Sprauer who is shown with a Chorus scrapbook she has maintained. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 1968: A photo feature shows a scene from the May 14 concert and includes photos of graduate Mark Magee and the Chappie's family Chorus alumni. Click on the image below.
February 1969: The Journal Herald announces that the Chorus will premiere at its upcoming concert "Dayton, The City Beautiful" with music by Joseph Geiger and James Will and lyrics by Miriam Page. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 1970: The Inlander announces the Chorus graduates and the upcoming May 12 concert at which "former Chorus members Joan and Jane Boston, Alfred Wimmers and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Schamel will be featured soloists and dancers." Click on the image below to view.
July 1970: Inland's T.O. Mathues writes parents on the official dissolution of the Inland Children's Chorus, which Betty Dietz reports in The Dayton Daily News. The Dayton Journal Herald publishes a parent's response. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
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December 1995: Matt Phelan (below right), former member and Atlanta graphic design executive, developed a tribute publication as well as restored recordings on cassette tape that he distributed free of charge. A front-page Dayton Daily News article was based on his work and his extensive scrapbook (1936-1943). Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 2008: A biography of Sister Dorothy Stang, The Greatest Gift, traces her early life that includes her time in the Chorus. The book focuses on her death as she worked to preserve the Amazon Basin in Brazil. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 2010: Former members meet at Wright State University to establish the Inland Children's Chorus Collection and the partnership of Special Collections and Archives with InlandChorus.com. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2012: Special Collections publishes an "Out of the Box" blog posting noting the 2012 Luncheon and exhibit of items to be delivered to Wright State University. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2013: Two print versions an article appear in the Dayton Daily News the week prior to the 2013 annual luncheon. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
August 2013: The Sunday Dayton Daily News "Life and Arts" section includes a front-page article on the Chorus by staff writer Meredith Moss with photos by Peter Wine from the 2013 luncheon. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2014: Meredith Moss includes an announcement with details of the upcoming luncheon in the Sunday Dayton Daily News "Life and Arts" section. Click on the image below to view.
April 2015: An article with photo in the Sunday Dayton Daily News "Life and Arts" section announces the upcoming exhibit and luncheon. Click on the image below to view.
December 2016: A blog features a Chorus performance two weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack and the U.S. entry into World War II. The posting was written by M. Ruth Myers, author of the Maggie Sullivan mystery series. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2017: Click on this link to watch a video by Journalist Lisa Powell of the Cox Media Group profiling the Chorus history and see a screen capture of her online article. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 2017: The front page of the "Life" section of the Dayton Daily News includes a Chorus story by Lisa Powell based her April 2017 online History Extra photo feature and video. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2018: This year's luncheon and exhibit is announced in Local Focus postings of upcoming events. Click on the image below to view.
May 2018: A photo with caption in the Dayton Daily News shows Toni Vanden Bos (center), Wright State University archivist, receiving a certificate as an honorary member of the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
August 2018: A blog posting describes a May 1946 Chorus concert that reflects the hopes of post-World War II America and a 2018 concert directed by a former Chorus member that may have justified these hopes. Click on the image below scroll to view.
April 2019: Two articles in the Dayton Daily News announce the annual exhibit and luncheon of former members of the Inland Children's Chorus on April 27. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 1995: Matt Phelan (below right), former member and Atlanta graphic design executive, developed a tribute publication as well as restored recordings on cassette tape that he distributed free of charge. A front-page Dayton Daily News article was based on his work and his extensive scrapbook (1936-1943). Click on the image below and scroll to view.
February 2008: A biography of Sister Dorothy Stang, The Greatest Gift, traces her early life that includes her time in the Chorus. The book focuses on her death as she worked to preserve the Amazon Basin in Brazil. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
May 2010: Former members meet at Wright State University to establish the Inland Children's Chorus Collection and the partnership of Special Collections and Archives with InlandChorus.com. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2012: Special Collections publishes an "Out of the Box" blog posting noting the 2012 Luncheon and exhibit of items to be delivered to Wright State University. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2013: Two print versions an article appear in the Dayton Daily News the week prior to the 2013 annual luncheon. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
August 2013: The Sunday Dayton Daily News "Life and Arts" section includes a front-page article on the Chorus by staff writer Meredith Moss with photos by Peter Wine from the 2013 luncheon. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2014: Meredith Moss includes an announcement with details of the upcoming luncheon in the Sunday Dayton Daily News "Life and Arts" section. Click on the image below to view.
April 2015: An article with photo in the Sunday Dayton Daily News "Life and Arts" section announces the upcoming exhibit and luncheon. Click on the image below to view.
December 2016: A blog features a Chorus performance two weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack and the U.S. entry into World War II. The posting was written by M. Ruth Myers, author of the Maggie Sullivan mystery series. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2017: Click on this link to watch a video by Journalist Lisa Powell of the Cox Media Group profiling the Chorus history and see a screen capture of her online article. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
December 2017: The front page of the "Life" section of the Dayton Daily News includes a Chorus story by Lisa Powell based her April 2017 online History Extra photo feature and video. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
April 2018: This year's luncheon and exhibit is announced in Local Focus postings of upcoming events. Click on the image below to view.
May 2018: A photo with caption in the Dayton Daily News shows Toni Vanden Bos (center), Wright State University archivist, receiving a certificate as an honorary member of the Inland Children's Chorus. Click on the image below and scroll to view.
August 2018: A blog posting describes a May 1946 Chorus concert that reflects the hopes of post-World War II America and a 2018 concert directed by a former Chorus member that may have justified these hopes. Click on the image below scroll to view.
April 2019: Two articles in the Dayton Daily News announce the annual exhibit and luncheon of former members of the Inland Children's Chorus on April 27. Click on the image below and scroll to view.