St. Joseph High School Albums

The following audio recordings, called "needle drops," have been digitized from vinyl albums by Mike Swanson.

The vinyl albums that were used for these conversions were graciously provided by Ren Baldwin, Jim Talbot, and Allison Whittier Kurtz. Thanks to all of you!

Due to the age and quality of the source vinyl records, these audio files will not sound as pristine as modern digital recordings. However, every effort has been made to convert them as faithfully as possible. Other than the removal of common distortions (hiss, clicks/pops, crackle, hum/rumble), no equalization has been performed on these tracks.

To download a file to your computer, right-click each link, then choose "Save As...".

You can also listen to all albums as part of this YouTube playlist, and join the alumni on our Facebook group.

Enjoy!

 

The Christmas Album (1979)

Thanks to Ren Baldwin for providing a vinyl album for this conversion.

The Christmas Album

Audio files (MP3, 44.1kHz, 16-bit):

High resolution images:

Credits:

  • Dennis L. Bowen, Ensemble, Choir, Glee Club Director
  • Renard L. Baldwin, Freshman Choir Director
  • Mr. George Lamphere, Organist
  • Recorded by Chris Willis
  • Produced by Lou Everett
  • Graphic design by Robert R. Giese

 

Choral Department 1977-1978

Thanks to Ren Baldwin for providing a vinyl album for this conversion.

Choral Department Cover 1977-1978

Audio files (MP3, 44.1kHz, 16-bit):

High resolution images:

Credits:

  • Mr. Renard L. Baldwin, Director
  • Mr. Dennis L. Bowen, Director

 

Bicentennial Celebration (1976)

Thanks to Ren Baldwin for providing a vinyl album for this conversion.

The Performing Arts Department of St. Joseph Public Schools
Presented a celebration of America’s Bicentennial
May 21, 1976
Dickinson Stadium, St. Joseph, MI

This celebration of America’s Bicentennial was presented by all Fine Arts students grades 5 -12. It was an outdoor performance presented in the school district football stadium. All vocal students were seated on risers on the field behind the massed bands and orchestras. Vocal students were dressed in red, white, and blue to form the American flag.

A focal point of the performance was composition combining all students, vocal, bands, orchestras in a piece titled “Helmsman of Nations”, commissioned by the Fine Arts Department. The composed and conducted by Dr. Eugene Butler, Johnson County College, Overland Park, Kansas. This occasion was the premiere performance for “Helmsman of Nations”.

The Fine Arts Staff at the time of this celebration:

  • Mrs. Elsie Buck – Fifth Grade Choir
  • Mr. Gordon Formsma – Fifth Grade Choir
  • Mr. Larry Ernst – Sixth Grade Band
  • Mr. Vito Tenerelli – Milton Jr. High Bands
  • Mr. William B. Tower – Milton Jr. High Choir
  • Mr. Renard L. Baldwin – Upton Jr. High Choir and Bands
  • Mr. Dennis L. Bowen – High School Choirs
  • Mr. Robert W. Brown – High School Bands
  • Mr. Fred Erbach – Jr. High and High School Orchestra
  • Miss Betty Theisen – Speech and Drama Department

Community participants:

  • Mr. Robert Sill – Soloist
  • Mrs. Charlotte Wenham - Narrator
  • Mr. Steve Sizer – Reader
  • Mrs. Edwin E. Dwan
  • Mr. Franklin Smith – Mayor of St. Joseph
Bicentennial Celebration

Audio files (MP3, 44.1kHz, 16-bit):

High resolution images:

Credits:

 

Choral Department 1970-1971

Thanks to Ren Baldwin for providing a vinyl album for this conversion.

Choral Department 1970-1971

Audio files (MP3, 44.1kHz, 16-bit):

High resolution images:

Credits:

  • Mr. Dennis L. Bowen, Director
  • Lu Ann Sila, Accompanist

 

Choral Department 1973-1974

Thanks to Jim Talbot and Ren Baldwin for providing two vinyl albums for this conversion.

Choral Department 1973-1974

Audio files (MP3, 44.1kHz, 16-bit):

Department

Choral Ensemble

Girl's Glee Club

Concert Choir

High resolution images:

Credits:

  • Mr. Dennis L. Bowen, Director

 

Songs of Christmas (1985)

Thanks to Allison Whittier Kurtz for providing the vinyl album for this conversion.

From the back cover:

The Freshman Choir, The Glee Club, The Choral Ensemble, and The Concert Choir each participate in three major public concerts during the school year. They also serve as a nucleus for the annual Broadway musical presented each year. In addition they are active in the community answering numerous requests for performances.

Mr. Dennis L. Bowen received both his bachelor and master of music degrees from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He served as choral director for the Summer High School Institute at Northwestern University for two summers. He has been the director of choral activities and related productions at St. Joseph High School, St. Joseph, Michigan for twenty-five years.

St. Joseph High School, St. Joseph, Michigan is situated on Lake Michigan in the heart of the nation's fruitbelt. There are approximately 1000 students in four grades. It has an extremely active music department including: 3 bands; a jazz ensemble; orchestra; music theory program; plus the four choirs. Its music facilities are among the finest in southwestern Michigan with 3 rehearsal halls, 14 practice rooms and a 982 seat auditorium.

The music department would like to thank the high school staff and administration for their on-going support of the music program as well as for the arrangements for the recording of the album.

Our sincere thanks go to the Board of Trustees and the members of the First Congregational Church of St. Joseph for allowing the use of their facilities and organ for the making of this album.

Songs of Christmas

Audio files (MP3, 44.1kHz, 16-bit):

High resolution images:

Credits:

  • Mr. Dennis L. Bowen, Director
  • Betty Woodland, Organist