Augustana Choir 80th reunion concert

By David Sharos

NAPERVILLE, IL — Music brought them together.

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Naperville Saturday, more
than 270 alums from Augustana College came together for a whirlwind
day of rehearsal leading to a special performance showcasing their
musical talents.

The singers ranged from those in their 80s to kids who are still
attending classes at the college. Some came from international
locations as far away as Finland, while another domestic alum
traveled all the way from Seattle.

Along with being alumni, the one thing they had in common was
all have been members of the Augustana College choir.

“This is like the most super-charged sorority-fraternity ever,”
said Naperville resident and Augustana alum David Westman, 52, who
said he attended the college from 1976 through 1980. “We never
belonged to any of the traditional groups like that on campus, so
this is the closest thing to it.”

The former and current choir members met between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. to learn and rehearse about a 75-minute musical program to be
conducted that night by former and current conductors from the
college.

“We have the total package of directors that have overseen the
program for the past 40 years,” Westman said.