Albert Pearson Stewart
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Albert Pearson Stewart | |
|---|---|
 Al Stewart with the score to "Hail Purdue" (Joseph L. Bennett, Boilermaker Music Makers, 1986) | |
| Born | September 15, 1907 Lafayette, Indiana, US |
| Died | January 27, 1991 West Lafayette, Indiana, US |
| Education | Purdue University, DePauw University, American Conservatory of Music |
| Occupation(s) | Founder & Director, Purdue Musical Organizations |
| Spouse | Charlotte Friend Stewart (Mar. 1933) |
| Website | https://www.purdue.edu/pmo/ |
Albert Pearson Stewart was the first director of the Purdue University Musical Organizations (PMO) and began work in 1933.[1] Stewart directed the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, Purduettes, and other singing groups until his retirement in June 1974. Stewart received an honorary doctoral degree in music from DePauw University[2][3] and was given the title of director emeritus at Purdue after retirement.[4][5][1]
Early life[edit]
Albert Pearson Stewart was born on September 15, 1907 in Lafayette, Indiana.[5][4] He was the son of Methodist minister Olin Scott Stewart and Ethel Pearson.[6] Stewart lived most of his life in Lafayette, West Lafayette,[7] and a number of small towns in the area.[8][5] After his father's death from stomach cancer at the age of 39,[7] Stewart and three siblings grew up in poverty.[7][9]
Stewart's father Olin was a Methodist minister and choir director.[6] Albert Stewart received exposure to singing and musical performance by attending his father's church services.[13] Young Albert was named for the Reverend Albert L. Miller, the leader of Olin's church.[6] Recognizing that his son demonstrated a knowledge of melody and lyrics, Olin would bring Albert to the podium for an occasional solo.[13] According to Bennett, for Albert Stewart this represented a "first delicious taste of the spotlight".[13] After his father's death, Albert continued to participate in church musical activities.[14] Throughout his life, sacred music remained his favorite.[14]
Despite being a "highly respected, though poor, family",[14] Stewart's mother Ethel paid for his piano lessons for 15 years[14] Stewart became what he considered a good pianist, but he liked voice and singing better.[14] Stewart had also received five years of private voice lessons as a youth.[15]
During high school, Stewart worked in a local movie theater.[16] He saw the opening of Al Jolson's movie The Jazz Singer, the first "talkie".[16] Stewart learned vocal techniques from watching this and other films and recognized and appreciated the appeal of popular music.[17][18] The theater job also led him to connections in local theater including parts in productions at Lafayette's historic Mars Theatre[19] and West Lafayette High School.[17] Stewart sang in the First Methodist Church choir which was directed by Paul T. Smith, a Purdue professor and director of the Men's Glee Club. Professor Smith sent Stewart an invitation to join the Purdue Glee Club[17] but died of a ruptured appendix while Stewart was still in high school.[20]
Education[edit]
As a Purdue freshman, Stewart starred in a local production at the Mars Theater named Ad Noise, a musical satire of the advertising business.[21][19] Stewart enjoyed campus life and sang in the Glee Club which was directed by Professor Smith's widow Helen Faust Smith.[21] Stewart left Purdue after his first year and worked for the Lafayette Life Insurance Company.[21]
A chance meeting with Stewart's namesake, Methodist minister Albert L. Miller,[22] led to Stewart enrolling at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana to study music.[23] While at DePauw, Stewart sang a leading role in a production of "The Mikado".[24] Stewart worked under the tutelage of DePauw music school dean Dr. Robert McCutcheon who was an important influence.[25] Stewart liked learning music at DePauw, but extreme financial hardship forced him to leave Greencastle in June 1930 and return to Lafayette.[26][4]
After becoming established at Purdue as the head of the Purdue Musical Organizations,[27] Steward was urged by Purdue President Edward C. Elliott to get more formal music education.[28] Stewart selected the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and attended in the summer of 1938.[28] Stewart and his wife Charlotte rented an apartment in Chicago during the Conservatory summer session.[28] Their first child Sonya stayed with them and was watched during the day by student Wilma Deckard.[28] In their tiny apartment, Sonya slept in a dresser drawer which was pulled out and set on two chairs each night.[28]
In 1960, Stewart received an honorary doctoral degree in music from DePauw.[2][3]
Charlotte Friend[edit]
Stewart met Charlotte Friend, his future spouse,[30] in the summer of 1930 after returning from DePauw.[31] Friend had been a home economics major at Purdue[31] and was also an accomplished soprano singer who would later perform with the Purdue Men's Glee Club.[32] Most of Friend's siblings were also musical performers,[32] and her family home was a popular spot on campus.[33]
Later, after obtaining a reasonable salary, Stewart and Charlotte married in 1933.[30]
Career[edit]
In the summer of 1930, Stewart became a voice teacher at the Lafayette Conservatory of Music.[15][34] Despite the economic hard times of the Great Depression, the Conservatory was able to attract many students.[15]
In September 1930, Stewart responded to a request by Carolyn Shoemaker, dean of women at Purdue University, to direct the Purdue Women's Glee Club.[35][4] Stewart had the glee club rehearse twice a week, and he was able to hone his skills in working with musical groups.[36]
Stewart had the idea of asking Purdue University to fund a choir.[37][4] At the time, Purdue had no school of music and was considered an engineering and agriculture college.[38] He met with Purdue president Edward C. Elliott in his office, who, according to Bennett, stated the following:Stewart responded by asking Elliott if he could at least be allowed to use the Purdue University Choir name to establish a singing group, and Elliott agreed.[40]"Never! Never, as long as I am president, will this university spend one damn penny for music on this campus, young man. Get that through your head!" [38][39]
Stewart modeled the new choir after the one he had sung with at DePauw. Realizing that appearance was important, Stewart ordered a set of academic robes for the choir and charged them to Purdue University Choir with no idea how he was going to pay for them.[40] Resistant at first, President Elliott agreed to pay for the robes.[41] This was the first step towards Elliott becoming Purdue University's greatest musical benefactor and the namesake for Purdue's Elliott Hall of Music.[41] Elliott also realized that the Purdue Musical Organizations was bringing positive public relations to the University.[41]
Purdue Men's Glee Club[edit]
Stewart assumed leadership of the Purdue Men's Glee Club in 1932.[43][1] He was now in charge of the Purdue University Choir along with both Men's and Women's Glee Clubs.[43] President Elliott expected all Purdue choral groups to pay their own way just as athletic teams did at the time.[43] Stewart began to refer to the separate groups as the Purdue Musical Organizations, and he received some funding from Indianapolis pharmaceutical businessman Josiah K. Lilly Sr. who sent regular checks in support.[43][44][45]
Stewart initially used various rooms around the Purdue campus and had been unable to find a permanent location for practice with the glee clubs.[44] After practicing in the home of Robert Bruce Stewart, then comptroller of the university and no relation to Al Stewart, a room on the top floor of Purdue's University Hall became available with R.B. Stewart's assistance.[44][46]
When students returned in the fall of 1932, Stewart decided to look for off-campus venues to promote the glee club.[47] Stewart was able to book his "Purdue Concert Choir" at the Circle Theater in Indianapolis during the Thanksgiving weekend.[47] This opportunity led to several more off-campus shows in Indianapolis.[48] Stewart also began to obtain offers from other colleges interested in starting or building singing programs.[48] President Elliott, hearing that Al Stewart had been receiving offers from other colleges, decided to pay Stewart a salary and keep him at Purdue.[48] Financial stability allowed Stewart to marry Charlotte Friend (June 25, 1933) and rent a small home in West Lafayette.[49][30]
With President Elliott's support Stewart was able to grow the Purdue Musical Organizations.[27][50] Stewart began to promote the Men's Glee Club claiming:Stewart made the Men's Glee Club the headliner.[51] He began to mix popular and novelty songs into the sets of traditional and religious music.[51][52] Stewart claimed to be able to read any particular audience and know which mix of songs would elicit the best response.[51] For this reason Stewart never published programs ahead of time and his singers needed to be prepared to sing any number of songs.[51][53]"There is something about a male group that people react to. It's powerful, and it's sexy. You can produce emotional highs and lows that you can't get with anything else."[51]
By the time the new Elliott Hall of Music was completed in 1940, the Men's Glee Club was a headliner and, according to Bennett, "worthy of such an arena."[54] Changes in popular music had ushered in a demand for more vocalists, and Stewart made a wise decision to make the Men's Glee Club his headliner.[54][55]
Kenneth Knowles was a Glee Club singer of Stewart's and later became a professional singer in Indianapolis.[56] Knowles and other students who sang with Stewart say that he directed mostly with his eyes.[56] Knowles said, "The great lesson I learned is watch the director... I could focus on Al and just screen everything else out."[57]
Stewart's approach to teaching and performing music was summed up by his motto: "No fun without music and no music without fun."[4][58]
Fowler Hall[edit]
In the Spring of 1937, President Elliott bequeathed Fowler Hall to the Purdue Musical Organizations.[51] Stewart now had a dedicated building and staff.[59] Fowler Hall contained office space, a 500-seat performing hall, a pipe organ, and pianos.
Fowler Hall was demolished in 1954 to make way for today's Stewart Center,[60][61] named for R.B. Stewart.[62] A new Fowler Hall was established in Stewart Center and sits approximately where the old building was located.[60]
PMO Christmas Shows[edit]
In 1933 Al Stewart utilized Fowler Hall to establish an ambitions Christmas show.[64][4] Featuring traditional and religious music, the free show drew a crowd of 200 people.[64] Despite what he perceived as low turnout, Stewart put on a Purdue Musical Organizations Christmas show the following year.[64] Attendance was better and would increase year by year.[64][65] Eventually the show would be performed in the new Elliott Hall in 1940[64] and second and third performances were added to satisfy demand.[64] In 1954, under the direction of Purdue President Frederick Hovde, admission was charged for seating.[64][66] In 1968 six shows were scheduled,[67] and in subsequent years only five shows were scheduled in deference to the needs of student singers.[68]
Ever since, more than 30,000 people watch the PMO Christmas Show every year. The show is a money maker for the Purdue Musical Organizations and helps to fund scholarships and travel expenses.[68] According to Bennett, "the Purdue Christmas extravaganza may be the most successful amateur production in the country."[68] In 1998, the American Bus Association listed the PMO Christmas Show in its list ot top 100 events in North America.[69]
Elliott Hall of Music[edit]
In 1938, it was announced that a new music hall would be built at Purdue.[28] Purdue President Edward C. Elliott petitioned state and federal funds to build the Hall, and it was constructed by the Works Progress Administration and completed in 1940 at a cost of $1.2 million.[70][71][72] At its dedication, the Purdue Music Hall featured the largest indoor seating capacity of any theater in the United States and had acoustics designed by Floyd R. Watson of the University of Illinois faculty.[73] Watson had designed the acoustics for the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.[74]
In 1958, two years before Elliott's death, the university trustees suspended the rules concerning the naming of buildings and named the music hall the Edward C. Elliot Hall of Music.[74][75]
Purdue on the Home Front-Carnegie National Sing-Off[edit]
The approach of World War II brought an appreciation of group male singing in a military context.[54] Purdue and Al Stewart were ready to help with the war effort.[76][77] An influx of men in uniform on campus led Stewart to organize military glee clubs which sang in uniform.[76] After the war, Purdue's enrollment swelled[78][79] with returning soldiers who took advantage of the G.I. Bill to pay for college.[76]
Expecting to be drafted, Stewart considered enlisting.[76] Stewart was told by President Elliott that his name was on file as an "essential" staff member and that he wouldn't be drafted.[76] In return, Stewart led war bond rallies and put on shows to boost morale during a difficult time in American history.[76][80][81]
Stewart also arranged to have a prominent singer, Rudy Vallee, perform a war bond rally and patriotic show in the Hall of Music.[82][83]
Stewart and the Men's Glee Club received national recognition by traveling to New York City and performing in the Carnegie National Sing-Off.[84] Fred Waring announced the competition on his radio show in early 1942, and his intention was to find the best college glee club in America.[84] Waring's representatives traveled the United States evaluating different college singing groups.[84] Purdue won the Midwest regional championship and was able to compete at Carnegie Hall in New York City.[84][85][81] Other competing teams included Dartmouth, Oklahoma, Elmhurst, Washington and Lee, and Rochester.[86] Purdue achieved second place after Rochester[9][86][87][88] and also gained national recognition after the Carnegie Sing-Off.[86][87]
Purduettes[edit]
After the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entrance into World War II, the male population of Purdue dropped significantly. Men remaining on campus were subject to travel restrictions.[90][91] Stewart was unable to travel with the Men's Glee Club, and he decided to employ female singers as a headliner.[91][81]
Stewart organized the Purduettes which consisted of 13 Purdue coeds picked for their "musical ability, looks, and personality".[91] The Purduettes were an "instant hit" and were booked for a state loan company convention in Indianapolis and a district Rotary Club convention.[91] Stewart took the Purduettes on an eastern tour which ended with a performance for the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York.[91]
Despite the enthusiast response to the Purduettes, Stewart received some criticism from people who thought that the singing group was "too suggestive."[92] Not finding this to be credible, Stewart responded by allowing his own daughters Sonya and Joanna to become Purduette members.[92][93] In 1963, Joanna Stewart married James Brice McNeely, a member of the Glee Club.[94]
The Purduettes were later expanded to nearly three times the original 13 members[95][96] and the group remains popular to this day.[97] The Purduettes celebrated their 80th anniversary in 2022.[97]
Victory Varieties[edit]
Al Stewart established West Lafayette as an entertainment "oasis" with Victory Varieties.[99] Starting in 1943, for a quarter century, some of the nation's top entertainment acts performed at the Elliott Hall of Music, and the roster includes popular music and comedy performers from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.[99] The name "Victory" applied to the war effort and was later used with Purdue athletic teams.[99][100]
Victory Varieties Performers include:
- Louis Armstrong[98][18]
- Beach Boys[101][102]
- Chicago[103][104]
- Harry Belafonte[18][105]
- Pat Boone[106][18][100]
- Victor Borge[18][107]
- Jack Benny[101][18][108]
- Ray Charles[108]
- Rosemary Clooney[101][109]
- Nat King Cole[98][18]
- Bill Cosby[101]
- Jimmy Dean[110][111]
- Tommy Dorsey[101][112]
- Mike Douglas[99][18]
- Duke Ellington[101][18][113]
- Jose Feliciano[101][18][114]
- Eddie Fisher[115][100]
- Robert Goulet[18][116]
- Danny Kaye[101][117]
- Bob Hope[101][118][107]
- B.B. King[103][119]
- The Kingston Trio[101][120]
- Gene Krupa[101][121]
- Johnny Mathis[101][122]
- Barbara McNair[110][111]
- Vaughn Monroe[101]
- Bob Newhart[103][123]
- Nitty Gritty Earth Band[103][108]
- Peter, Paul, & Mary[124][125]
- Rare Earth[119]
- Sha-Na-Na[104][126]
- Frank Sinatra[101][100][124]
- Ed Sullivan[101][127]
- Fred Waring[101][128]
- Igor Stravinsky with Woody Herman's band [99][18]
- Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis[129][100]
- Simon and Garfunkle[101][122]
Victory Varieties made Purdue a well-known entertainment venue and led to opportunities for Stewart and his singers such as a 1956 trip to Alaska to entertain U.S. troops with Bob Hope.[115][130] The Alaska show also featured Mickey Mantle, Ginger Rogers, Jerry Colonna, and famous Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.[115][131]
Stewart resigned from the Varieties committee in the late 1960s citing a change in student musical tastes—they wanted "a lot of loud rock music"—and the rising costs of hiring entertainers.[132][100] The university officially disbanded the program in August 1971.[103]
Postwar success[edit]
The influx of soldiers seeking an education led to a golden age for the Purdue Musical Organizations.[133] Buoyed by the 1942 success of the Carnegie Sing-Off in New York,[84] Stewart provided well-received performances and experienced an enhanced reputation.[133] Stewart and the Glee Club embarked on a six week tour of Europe and performed in Paris, Luxembourg, and Germany.[134][135][136] The tour emphasized German performances and acted as a goodwill ambassador to help repair postwar relations between the United States and Germany.[137][138] Stewart also experienced a formal meeting with Queen Elizabeth II.[139][136]
Stewart spearheaded an effort to promote "industrial music" as a way to improve the morale-and profits-of large corporations.[140][141] He worked part time for nine years with the Marshall Field's department stores in Chicago in order to manage an employee chorus.[140][142] Stewart also directed the Indiana Home Demonstration Chorus which met once a year at Purdue and had 2,000 members.[140][143] In 1954, Stewart led the group to sing during a national convention held at the Hollywood Bowl in California.[144][145] In 1959, the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported that the Indiana Home Demonstration Chorus was the world's largest chorus of women's voices.[143]
Al Stewart and the Purdue Glee Club performed two songs on the Nov 13, 1955 episode of the Ed Sullivan Show and videos of these performances are posted on YouTube.[146][147][148]
1956 Republican Convention[edit]
Stewart considered himself a "solid Republican" and was asked to be the master of ceremonies for the 1956 Republican convention.[144][149] Stewart had met Mamie and President Eisenhower at the previous convention in 1952.[149] Stewart shared duties with actor Wendel Corey and musical performers included Irving Berlin and Nat King Cole.[149] At the Sunday finale, the Purdue Glee Club combined to sing with the Virginia Military Institute Glee Club and the Morgan State College Choir.[150]
Stewart drew the praise of Vice President Richard Nixon who, addressing Al Stewart, stated: "The Purdue Glee Club certainly performed most ably and we thoroughly enjoyed their singing. The inspiring 'Peace on Earth' in which you directed the combined chorus was a real highlight of the afternoon."[150] After the 1956 election year, the Purdue Glee Club sang at the second inauguration of President Eisenhower in 1957.[152][153] The Glee Club singers performed "Mamie" for Mamie Eisenhower as they passed by the president's reviewing stand.[153]
Students[edit]
Al Stewart's singing programs provided unique opportunities for many of his student singers.[133]
One of the original Purduettes later found success in show business.[92] Dorothy "Doree" Martin, a soloist, piano accompanist, composer, and arranger, left the Midwest to pursue a songwriting career on the West Coast.[92] Her song "Sixteen Reasons", sung by Connie Stevens, became a hit record in the early rock-and-roll era.[92][154]
J. Peter Smith spent one semester at Purdue before serving in the army on the European front.[133] Returning after the war, Al Stewart introduced Smith to Indiana philanthropist Glen Hillis of the Indiana Society of Chicago.[133] Hillis funded Smith's musical training at Indiana University after Smith had graduated from Purdue, and he later went on to star in the Broadway musicals South Pacific, Wish You Were Here, and Two's Company under his professional name Pete Kelley.[133][155] Kelley later worked in television, TV advertising, and music publishing.[155]
Neil and Jeanne Smith were Glee Club members who later married.[144] After graduation, Neil Smith joined the U.S. Army where he was assigned to replace Steve Lawrence as a soloist in the United States Army Band.[156] The Smiths moved on to careers in broadcasting and consulting in Washington D.C.[156]
A student from Germany, Holger Schmidt-Hamann, attended Purdue and sang with the Purdue Glee Club.[157][158] Schmidt-Hamann had been sponsored by a southern Indiana businessman, but he always seemed to need money.[157] The Stewart's helped[159] Schmidt-Hamann by providing various odd jobs for money.[157] Schmidt-Hamann aspired to be a professional singer in Germany and left Purdue after one year.[157] Later, during a Glee Club Trip to Europe, Stewart and Mickey McGuire visited Schmidt-Haman's home which turned out to be an estate featuring servants, a ballroom, limousines, and a Steinway grand piano.[160] Schmidt-Haman had been the son of one of the largest automobile retailers in the world and was now running the family business.[160][159] Schmidt-Haman had attended Purdue because he wanted to pursue both music and engineering.[160][158][159] Under the stage name Holger Van Barden, Schmidt-Haman has performed all over the world, and he later retired to West Lafayette.[161] According to an article in the Dec 23, 1992 edition of the Journal & Courier, Schmidt-Haman had difficulties with his immigration status and faced deportation.[162] In 1994, Schmidt-Haman became involved in the restoration of Adams Mill, a historic community center in Cutler, IN.[163] The article describes Schmidt-Haman as "a singer and Purdue University engineer."[163]
Sheila Klinker, who would later serve in the Indiana House of Representatives, transferred from Butler University to Purdue and sung with Al Stewart's Glee Club.[156][164] Klinker had worked as a professional singer before attending Purdue and had toured the Midwest performing with Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrews Sisters, and Jerry Lee Lewis.[156] Under Stewart's tutelage, Klinker claimed that she developed the ability to speak in front of large groups.[156] Klinker later began a career teaching in the Lafayette School Corporation and eventually ran for the Indiana congress.[156] Klinker has represented Indiana House District 27 since 1982.[165]
Bob Ford performed as a bass soloist from 1968 through 1972.[166][167] He later became president of the PMO Club which was dedicated to fundraising.[166] While singing, Ford also played for the Purdue varsity basketball team and ended up as the twelfth leading career scorer in Purdue history.[168][169] Ford went on to become the general manager of WLFI-TV in Lafayette and was the "color man" for Purdue basketball game telecasts.[169][170] Bennett relates how Ford enjoyed walking across campus in full formal dress on his way to a concert.[166] At this time in the late 1960s and 1970s, the Purdue campus experienced some of the social upheaval present at other schools. Students "dressed down" in tattered clothing and scruffy body hair.[166] Al Stewart was not fond of these changes, and he maintained the Glee Club as a conservative, "pro-university" organization that enforced a dress code and required short hair.[166][169]
One Glee Club member, James Brice McNeely of Lafayette, received a very special opportunity from Al Stewart.[171][172] McNeely married Stewart's daughter Joanna on August 31, 1963.[94] Joanna had sang with the Purduettes, and McNeely had also sang with the Men's Glee Club honorary, the Purduesirs (also directed by Al Stewart).[94]
Accolades & organizations[edit]
In 1972, Stewart was named an honorary alumnus of Purdue University.[173] He had also been granted an honorary doctorate in music from DePauw University in 1960.[28][3]
Stewart was one of the founders of Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette.
Stewart was the director of the Tippecanoe County Heritage 75*76 Board which was tasked with celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Lafayette, Indiana and the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial year.[174] The Heritage 75*76 Board raised funds to construct a rotating sculpture named Ouabache to commemorate the two anniversaries.[174] The sculpture was installed in downtown Lafayette near the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in 1976.[175] The sculpure was later moved in 1995 to a location overlooking the Wabash River.[175]
Stewart and the Glee Club participated in a multiple sclerosis (MS) campaing for several years as a community affairs project. In 1964-1965, Al Stewart served as the chairman of the MS Hope campaign in Indiana, a charity to raise money to fight multiple sclerosis.[176] Project Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronaut Major Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, a 1950 graduate of Purdue, served as honorary chairman.[176] As part of the campaign, Glee Club members canvased West Lafayette for donations.[176] Over the years, the Glee Club had raised over $11,500 dollars door-to-door as well as from benefit performances at Clowes Hall in Indianapolis.[177]
Retirement[edit]
Stewart entered the 1970s knowing that Purdue's mandatory retirement policy would require him to step down, and he retired in 1974.[56] He suffered from painful arthritis in the knees but otherwise remained in excellent overall health and was reluctant to retire.[173]
In the summer of 1972, Stewart accompanied 122 singers to Hawaii where they performed at the Honolulu Concert Hall and the "Shriner's Hospitals for Crippled Children."[179] The singers consisted of the Varsity Glee Club, Purduettes, and Purdue Extension Chorus.[179] Up to this time, along with the Hawaiian trip, Purdue singers had performed in over 35 countries.[179]
Held on Mar 22, 1974, nearly 6,000 people attended Stewart's last concert at the Elliot Hall of Music.[173] Representing thirty years of Stewart's musical programs, more than 300 former Glee Club members joined Stewart on stage.[173] Stewart also received thousands of letters thanking him for providing the opportunity to be part of the Purdue Musical Organizations.[173]
In the late 1980s, declining health prevented Stewart from participating in campus events.[4] Brian Breed, then director of PMO, arranged an 83rd birthday party at Stewart's home in 1990.[4] Breed brought many different students from the various musical groups along with a card signed by 300 students.[4] Stewart was moved by the organizations he created and that young people continued to participate.[4] Instead of singing, Stewart "wept with joy."[4]
Death and legacy[edit]
According to his obituary published in the Lafayette Journal & Courier, Al Stewart died on Jan 24, 1991 at his home in West Lafayette.[5] He had been in "failing health" for several years.[5] Charlotte Stewart had preceded him in death on July 19, 1984.[180]
The Albert P. Stewart Directorship Endowment of $1.5 million was established to help fund the Purdue Varsity Glee Club.[181]
Stewart's life and word at Purdue are explored in Joseph L. Bennett's Boilermaker Music Makers: Al Stewart and the Purdue Musical Organizations published in 1986 by the Purdue Research Foundation.[9][4]
Citations[edit]
- ^ a b c "Stewart's 31 Years of Service Have Seen Purdue Glee Club Built Into One of the Best". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 15, 1964. p. 50. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 131-132
- ^ a b c "Al Stewart To Receive Honor From DePauw". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Apr 20, 1960. p. 7. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Norberg, John (Jan 25, 1991). "Purdue Legend Al Stewart Dies". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 1, 8. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Deaths: Albert P. Stewart, 83, retired musical director". Lafayette Journal & Courier. January 26, 1991. pp. 8 (B2). Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 11
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 14
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 12
- ^ a b c Purdue News Service (October 9, 1986). "No Fun Without Music, No Music Without Fun".
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 10
- ^ Bennett, Joseph (Mar 22, 2024). "University of Notre Dame Mail - Re Al Stewart Wikipedia Article (Bennett).pdf" (PDF). Email. Retrieved Mar 25, 2024.
- ^ Griffel, William (Mar 25, 2024). "University of Notre Dame Mail - RE Albert P. Stewart Wikipedia Article (Griffel).pdf" (PDF). Email. Retrieved Mar 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 13
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 16
- ^ a b c Bennett, p. 46
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 17
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 18
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kriebel, Bob (13 Nov 1997). "Show biz vignettes, as told by Al Stewart". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 94, 105. Retrieved Dec 2, 2023.
- ^ a b "All-Men Revue Ready To Make Bow Thursday". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 1, 1927. p. 12. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 21
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 22-23
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 26
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 28
- ^ "Albert Stewart Gets DePauw Opera Role". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Apr 8, 1930. p. 8. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 36
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 38-39
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 67
- ^ a b c d e f g Bennett 1986, p. 79
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 40
- ^ a b c "Friend-Stewart". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jun 26, 1933. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 41
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 42
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 43
- ^ "Glee Clubs In Sacred Concert". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jul 29, 1931. p. 3. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 47
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 48
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 49
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 50
- ^ "About Elliott Hall". Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 52
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 53
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 165
- ^ a b c d Bennett 1986, p. 56
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 57
- ^ "Head of Drug Firm Expires". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Feb 9, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 61
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 62
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 65
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 66
- ^ "Glee Club Review Promises Treat". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Apr 7, 1934. p. 9. Retrieved Mar 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Bennett 1986, p. 68
- ^ "Purdue Glee Club Will Sing". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 9, 1935. p. 3. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Matter, Kathy (Apr 2, 1993). "Happy 100th Birthday Glee Club". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 21, 28. Retrieved Mar 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 89
- ^ ""Loyalty Meeting" Here Tonight". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 24, 1936. p. 20. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 144
- ^ Norberg, John (Jan 30, 1991). "In remembrance: Stewart brought out the best in people". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 17. Retrieved Mar 24, 2024.
- ^ Norberg, John (Dec 3, 1989). "PMO pioneer recalls Christmases past". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 47. Retrieved Mar 30, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 69
- ^ a b "Eliza Fowler Hall 1903-1954". Purdue Campus Facilities and Buildings Historic Database. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ Hawkins, Barbara (Jun 18, 1954). "Purdue's Eliza Fowler Hall Razed After 51 Years As Cultural Center But Another Of Name Will Be Built". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 13. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ "Stewart Center (STEW) 1958-Present". Purdue Campus Facilities and Buildings Historic Database. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 64
- ^ a b c d e f g Bennett 1986, p. 75
- ^ "Christmas Cantata Features Purdue Holiday Music Treat". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 18, 1939. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "Purdue Christmas Convo Warm, Gay, and Solemn". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 20, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "What's Happening". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 11, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 76
- ^ "Big Wheels honor Purdue's Christmas Show as Top 100". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 28, 1997. p. 45. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 80
- ^ Willard, Jack (April 1, 1954). "Purdue Engineer". Vol. 49, no. 6. pp. 46–47. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ Cullen, Kevin (Jan 9, 1978). "Elliott Hall on way to top". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 3. Retrieved Mar 14, 2024.
- ^ "Prof. Watson Lectures to Musicians Tonight". The Daily Illini. Jan 7, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b Topping, Robert W. (1988). A Century and Beyond: The History of Purdue University. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press. pp. 232–233. ISBN 0-911198-95-4.
- ^ "Union-Annex Now Memorial Center". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Apr 17, 1958. p. 8. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Bennett 1986, p. 90
- ^ "Convocation Pays Tribute to 23 Purdue Dead in This War". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Aug 1, 1942. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "World War II dominated life in the '40s". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 30, 1979. p. 97. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Rizzo, Angelyn (Jun 25, 1971). "Record Growth Sweetens President Hovde's Purdue Years". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 19. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "Bond Rally Goal Fixed Is $100,000". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 21, 1945. p. 1. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Glee Club's Signature Signature Often Brings Audiences to Their Feet". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Apr 22, 1967. p. 36. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 92
- ^ "Many Expected to want to Hear, See Rudy Vallee, Band". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 6, 1943. p. 9. Retrieved Mar 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 5
- ^ "Purdue Glee Club Is Selected for National Contest". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Mar 24, 1942. p. 13. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 7
- ^ a b "Duke Glee Club President Describes New York Visit". The Durham Herald Sun. Jun 7, 1942. p. 4. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "Purdue Students Are Happy Over Glee Club Feat". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jun 4, 1942. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 113
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 111
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 112
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 116
- ^ "375 Purdue Students Offer Two Nights of Yule Music". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 13, 1951. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Miss Joanna Stewart, James McNeely Married". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 2, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved Mar 14, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1980, p. 114
- ^ "Purdue Musical Organizations To Hold Auditions For Season". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 14, 1965. p. 43. Retrieved Mar 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Purduettes". Purdue Musical Organizations. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 104
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 99
- ^ a b c d e f James, Paul (Sep 6, 1969). "$200,000 Is Way Too Much To Earn 66 Grand". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 30–31. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Bennett 1986, p. 100
- ^ "Victory Varieties To Open Sept. 20". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 10, 1968. p. 56. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Show Must Go On". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 4. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Advertisement: Victory Varieties Homecoming Special". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Oct 22, 1970. p. 9. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ "Victory Varieties Show to Feature Harry Belafonte". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Apr 12, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 101
- ^ a b "Bob Hope, Victor Borge Varieties Headliners". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 24, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Ray Charles, Benny to Headline Purdue's Final Two Victory Varieties". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Oct 21, 1967. p. 17. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ "Rosemary Clooney Heads Varieties Bill". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 17, 1960. p. 15. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b Bennett 1986, p. 98
- ^ a b "Jimmy Dean Booked For Oct. 9-10 'Varieties'". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 26, 1964. p. 16. Retrieved Mar 13, 2024.
- ^ "Tommy Dorsey Show is Coming". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 23, 1944. p. 4. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ McClure, Charles (Mar 23, 1974). "Duke Ellington, at 73, Still Captivating". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 14. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ Metzger, Cathy (Nov 15, 1969). "Feliciano: From The Need Of A Poor Boy Comes A Great Talent". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 40. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 106
- ^ "Goulet Varieties Headliner". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 2, 1966. p. 14. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Ushers, Audience Help Stage Show". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 22, 1947. p. 3. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Advertisement: Opening Victory Varieties". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 18. Retrieved Mar 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Thornburg, Ron (Aug 4, 1972). "Blues, Rock, Easy Sounds Top Fall Series". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 19. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Kingston Trio Due Mar 8". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jan 31, 1963. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Dorsey, Krupa and Company in Show". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 19, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Kriebel, Bob (Jul 8, 2007). "Legendary visits to the area continue". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 27. Retrieved Mar 21, 2024.
- ^ Arganbright, Frank (Oct 20, 1962). "Bob and Joanie Chat After Shows In Hall of Music". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 30. Retrieved Mar 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "Advertisement: Victory Varieties 22nd Year". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 3, 1963. p. 9. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Peter, Paul, and Mary in Varieties Leadoff". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Aug 31, 1963. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Music Hall Lists Part Of Card". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Aug 28, 1973. p. 44. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Stars who've appeared on the Elliott stage". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Sep 29, 1990. p. 32. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Waring, 50 Pennsylvanians Next on Victory Varieties". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Oct 31, 1953. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ "Martin and Lewis On Varieties Bill". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 18, 1950. p. 12. Retrieved Mar 21, 2024.
- ^ "Glee Club Lands Safely in Alaska". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 20, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "Glee Club Thrilled By Trip to Alaska". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Dec 24, 1956. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 108-109
- ^ a b c d e f Bennett 1986, p. 120
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 122
- ^ "Spreading Our Fair Names". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 1, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Stewart's Singers Complete Plans For Concert Tour Through Europe". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jun 4, 1953. p. 21. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 121
- ^ "Children's Choir to Sing Oct. 19". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Oct 9, 1954. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 123
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 128
- ^ "Industry Studies Uses of Leisure". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Feb 17, 1954. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 16, 2024.
- ^ "Albert P. Stewart Leads Field Choir". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Aug 9, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Song Books Will Be Distributed". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Aug 12, 1959. p. 24. Retrieved Mar 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 129
- ^ Hawkings, Barbara (Aug 14, 1954). "Singers to Converge on City for Trip West". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 1.
- ^ Kriebel, Bob (Nov 20, 1977). "Act II of Al Stewart memories". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 86–87. Retrieved Mar 29, 2024.
- ^ Purdue Glee Club & Albert Stewart "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" on The Ed Sullivan Show, retrieved 2024-03-20
- ^ Purdue Glee Club & Albert Stewart "Indiana" on The Ed Sullivan Show, retrieved 2024-03-20
- ^ a b c "Stewart Returns From National GOP Convention". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Aug 28, 1956. p. 9. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "World Farm Group to Hear Glee Club". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 11, 1957. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 15, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 143
- ^ "Nixon promises aid to Glee Club". The Purdue Exponent. Mar 8, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Inaugural 'Thrill of Thrills' For Glee Club Delegation". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jan 23, 1953. p. 4. Retrieved Mar 18, 2024.
- ^ "Biography: Connie Stevens". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved Mar 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Music Meet Exhibitors Include Artists, Stars". The Roanoke Times. Apr 7, 1959. p. 15. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Bennett 1986, p. 130
- ^ a b c d Bennett 1986, p. 138
- ^ a b Norberg, John (Dec 23, 1992). "Schmidt-Hamman was no ordinary singer". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 8. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c Freyberg, Bill (Dec 3, 1960). "German Glee Clubber Faces Unusual Dilemma". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 25, 37. Retrieved Mar 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 139
- ^ Matter, Kathy (Dec 25, 1978). "Great singer got his start at Purdue". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 21. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ Norberg, John (Dec 23, 1992). "Hoping for a miracle". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 1, 8. Retrieved Mar 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Rahner, Mark (May 6, 1994). "Back to Life". Lafayette Journal & Courier. pp. 29, 34. Retrieved Mar 27, 2024.
- ^ "Resignation surprises, disheartens". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jun 7, 1989. p. 2. Retrieved Mar 13, 2024.
- ^ "County GOP power ebbing". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Nov 13, 1982. p. 8. Retrieved Mar 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 141
- ^ "Basketball Star Ford Makes Glee Club Team". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jul 26, 1968. p. 18. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ "Robert Ford - Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame". Hoops Hall: Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ a b c Bennett 1986, p. 142
- ^ Stippler, Rick (Feb 25, 1983). "Ford shares Boiler basketball history". The Purdue Exponent. p. 25. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 105
- ^ "Direction From the Top". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 29, 1965. p. 5. Retrieved Mar 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Bennett 1986, p. 145
- ^ a b Norberg, John (Aug 31, 1976). "Rotating Sculpture Ready". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 1. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ a b McClure, Julie (Apr 25, 2002). "'Ouabache' sculpture captures spirit of river, community". Lafayette Journal & Courier. p. 22. Retrieved Mar 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Grissom Enlisted as Indiana Honorary Chairman for MS". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jul 13, 1965. p. 15. Retrieved Mar 18, 2024.
- ^ "Glee Club Solicits $1,880 in MS Drive". Lafayette Journal & Courier. May 18, 1974. p. 4. Retrieved Mar 20, 2024.
- ^ Bennett 1986, p. 140
- ^ a b c "Singers 'Capture' Pacific Island". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jul 7, 1972. p. 45. Retrieved Mar 21, 2024.
- ^ "Mrs. Albert P. Stewart". Lafayette Journal & Courier. Jul 19, 1984. p. 4. Retrieved Mar 14, 2024.
- ^ "Al Stewart Directorship Endowment". purdue.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
References[edit]
Joseph L. Bennett's book is often cited in this Wikipedia article. Permission to use material from Bennett's book was obtained from the head of the Purdue Musical Organizations.
Bennett, Joseph L. (1986). Boilermaker Music Makers: Al Stewart and the Purdue Musical Organizations. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue Research Foundation. ISBN 0-931682-21-5.
Kriebel, Robert (2019). Ross-Ade: Their Purdue Stories, Stadium, and Legacies. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press. ISBN 978-1557535221.
External links[edit]
- Purdue Musical Organizations: Extended History
- Purdue Varsity Glee Club
- Purdue University Archives & Special Collections: Stewart, Albert Pearson
- PVGCDB (Purdue Varsity Glee Club Database)
- Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music
- Dr. Albert P. Stewart Directorship Endowment
- Purdue News: No Fun Without Music, No Music Without Fun
- Purdue Glee Club & Albert Stewart "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" on The Ed Sullivan Show
- Purdue Glee Club & Albert Stewart "Indiana" on The Ed Sullivan Show
- PVGCDG: Those Were the Days
- Stewart, Robert Bruce