Curtis Hansen, 1920-2011, founding member of ACDA

Curtis E. Hansen, age 90, of Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2011.  As one of seven original founders of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in 1959, he was the only one remaining until his death.  After graduation from Amery, WI High School and St. Olaf College (where he studied and sang with F. Melius Christiansen), he earned a Masters degree from the Minneapolis College of Music. He began his teaching career in Luck, WI, and went on to Brainerd, MN, where he developed an outstanding choral music program.  His choirs performed at state and national music educator’s conferences and conventions.  In addition to being a founder of ACDA, he also was a charter member and elected as ACDA National Vice-President.  He also served as president and vice-president of the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA).  His honors included being the recipient of ACDA-MN’s F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award and being inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame.  He was a long-time member of the Bloomington Medalist Band, a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis since 1963, and held membership with the American Legion in Brainerd, MN.  He became the music editor of Schmitt Hall and McCreary (Minneapolis) in 1963 after which he founded Curtis Music Press in 1977 which provided new music for school and church choirs.  He first served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy Band and later was commissioned as an officer in the amphibious forces that made a D-Day landing at Omaha Beach (France) and in Okinawa in the Pacific. 

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lorena and his sister Bonnie Wolff.  He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Muriel; daughters, Mary E. Farrell of Vienna, Austria and Jeanne (Chris) Rosauer of Girdwood, AK; sister, Helen Fuhs of Anchorage, AK; two grandsons; and nieces and nephews.

 

A celebration of Curtis Hansen’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 5 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409.  Memorials are preferred to the F. Melius Christiansen Endowment Fund (www.fmcendowment.org), Bethlehem Church Capital Campaign Fund or the donor’s choice. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM prior to the service.  Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

 

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Minnesota, Edina Chapel (952-924-4100).

 

Curtis Hansen was interviewed by Diana Leland on May 5, 2008, as one of ACDA’s founders.  To view that video, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVMuygADCYo

 

Cards may be sent to:   The Family of Curtis Hansen 

                                 Edina Park Plaza – #308

                                 3330 Edinborough Way

                                 Edina, MN  55435