Sveas Söner (The Sons of Sweden) chorus presents its 125th annual spring concert this Sunday at Bethesda Covenant Church in Rockford. The director of the male chorus, as it happens, is neither male nor Swedish.
Sherry Dreyfuss says she was a bit surprised when she was approached by Sveas Söner.
“They came to me in the fall of 1999, asking me to apply for this position. And these are my degrees, music, with majors in voice and choral directing, so that’s certainly up my alley. But I said, I don’t have a Swedish bone in my body, but I’d be happy to come and audition, and I was hired.”
The core of Sveas Söner’s repertoire consists of Swedish songs, so, Dreyfuss says, she immediately began to work on her Swedish pronunciation, and to learn the language, at least well enough to sort out the meaning of the music. She expects no less of the men, many of whom, like herself, are not of Swedish extraction.
“I’ve always felt that whenever you sing in whatever language, you sing correctly.”
That goes for the notes, as well as the words. Dreyfuss says she and the group have clicked ever since. Dreyfuss says the group has been able to achieve much, even with its small numbers. Part of that is picking the right music, part a dedication to maintaining the highest standards of performance. But there’s something else, Dreyfuss says, that goes back to the chorus’ roots.
“Not only do they enjoy pulling their music together, this is a social life for them as well, and it’s sort of similar to what you read about, what happens in the old communities in Europe. It’s just an evening out that they can enjoy and then sing.”
Dreyfuss says she encourages the men to involve their wives in the chorus’ activities, and has hosted gatherings at her house. She says all this fosters a feeling of family that has helped keep the group going.
Dreyfuss says keeping up membership is still a struggle. And the outlook remains uncertain for many such organizations. But, she says, there might be a solution.
Dreyfuss’ success with Sveas Söner attracted the attention of similar group, The Harmony Norwegian men’s chorus in Rockford. Dreyfuss began directing them two years ago. The group is dealing with many of the same issues as Sveas Söner.
“So I think we’re going to have plans this summer to see if they can join together. I’m having the Norwegian men sing on the Sveas Söner program this Sunday. They have, of course, a little different repertoire, but then I’m having six pieces that they’ll sing together. This is my answer, as a musician, as a choral director, to you see all these ethnic groups shrinking.”
Dreyfuss says, if it works out, the combined choir would gain a larger repertoire, along with an increased base of support. But she is clear each chorus would maintain its integrity within the larger group. She says the heritage of ethnic music is a beautiful one, and she’ll do what she can to keep it alive.
