Waldo Neilsen took over leadership of the Singing Quakers for one year. Coming from an A Capella background, Neilsen wanted to start an additional ensemble that would be voices only. He named this touring choir the “A Cappella Choir” to distinguish it from the Singing Quakers.

The City of Wichita was presented with an “All-American City” award, an award given annually to 11 cities on the basis of citizen participation and achievements. Look Magazine and the National Municipal League were co-sponsors of the award. Friends University’s Singing Quakers provided music at City Hall when the “All-America..Read More

Friends University celebrated it’s 100 anniversary! The Singing Quakers performed at the Centennial Kick-Off event on September 21, 1998. The event was attended by students, faculty, staff, past presidents and local political leaders. The Singing Quakers performed the “Friends University Hymn” at the event.  The vocal ensemble then joined the..Read More

The ensemble took their music abroad to Italy and Austria, performing in churches and cathedrals with an orchestra. During their trip, they toured the Mauthausen Concentration Camp and sites from the Sound of Music.

Because of World War II, the only sports tournaments held this year were those sponsored by the Woman’s Athletic Association. Sports included basketball, speedball, baseball, swimming, badminton, tennis and archery. The Singing Quakers was now an all-women ensemble.

Charles Finney became director of the Singing Quakers. Due to global and economic stress of World War II, music tours were difficult to organize and support as the country’s attention focused on the war effort. Finney replaced the spring tour with a spring opera, planned during a Music Department Music..Read More

In its sixty-fifth year, the university launched plans for a new Fine Arts Building. President Roberts justified the project saying, “The Music Department has made its headquarters for years in an antiquated frame structure which has serious space and heating deficiencies.” The new 460-seat auditorium, complete with classrooms and practice..Read More

In the summer of 2000, the Singing Quakers toured throughout Australia. They performed in the Sydney Opera House and snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef.

On September 19, the university celebrated the grand unveiling of the new Riney Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hundreds were in attendance for the special program. The $7.8-million-dollar renovation, led by Shelden Architecture, Simpson Construction, and Hein Landscaping, included an expanded entrance, spacious art gallery, chapel addition, expanded black box..Read More