Norwegian Ladies Chorus to hold annual music scholarship fundraiser this Sunday

This Sunday, March 4, is the annual Fishcake and Meatball Dinner to raise funds for the Norwegian Ladies Chorus’s Music Scholarship Fund. Over the years, the group has given thousands of dollars in awards and scholarships to students and high school music programs in the area. The dinner starts at 4 p.m. and will be held at the Leif Erickson Lodge in Ballard. The tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling Arlene 206-784-1290.

The group tells us that for the second year in a row, John & Bunny Sandvig are donating an original August Werner painting to be auctioned off at the dinner. Werner founded the Norwegian Ladies Chorus in 1936 while he was a professor of music at the University of Washington. The painting is called “Dørålseter in Rondarne, Norway”.

John & Bunny Sandvig, with the Werner painting. Photo courtesy Tim Hunter.

Here’s more information from the group about August Werner, artist of the painting and founder of the Norwegian Ladies Chorus.

August Werner, was born in Bergen, Norway on December 5, 1893. He received a B.S. from the College of Agriculture in Stend, Norway in 1913 and graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner performed as a baritone both in the United States and in Europe. He sang as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. He also performed as an invited soloist at various special events. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons and participated in recitals and in University opera productions. Werner directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Norwegian Ladies Chorus in Seattle. He also directed the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine. In addition, Werner acted as Director in Chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers’ Association.

Werner was also an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway’s history. Two of his sculptures located in Seattle are a bust of Beethoven at the University of Washington and a cast-bronze statue of the Norse explorer, Leif Erikson, presented to the Port of Seattle by the Leif Erikson League on Norway Day, June 17, 1962, at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Governor Albert Rosellini, Mayor Gordon Clinton, Icelandic Consul Karl Fredrick, Norwegian Consul Christen Stand, and others spoke at the dedication of the statue. Werner directed the Norwegian Ladies Chorus and Norwegian Male Chorus at the ceremony. The twelve foot high Leif Erikson statue, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle was created by Werner in partnership with Trygve Nakkerud, John Engan, and Einer Stende. The four-foot maquette of the Leif Erikson statue is in the collection of the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington.

Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.