Cultural Heritage Foundation of the AUSS



The AUSS Cultural Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation who’s objective is “to preserve, promote, and cultivate the Swedish language, customs, traditions, music, art and culture.”

The Foundation, which is an outgrowth of the AUSS, has its own officers and board of directors. It is recognized as a 501 (c) (3) by the IRS, and contributions are tax deductible.

Archives

PRESERVING HISTORY

Singers' Museum Room

The Singers' Gallery, a room in the Midway Village Museum in Rockford, Illinois, was officially dedicated on April 20, 1976, with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in attendance. The room contains AUSS memorabilia and old photographs.

Swenson Center Archives

The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois holds the official archives of the AUSS. The Swenson Center has also digitized, with the support of the AUSS Cultural Heritage Foundation, many of these materials including Musiktidning, A Century of Song, and some sound recordings. Below are links to these digitized materials and to inventories of the archives and the Voedisch music collection available at the Swenson Center.

A Century of Song

The digitized book A Century of Song by Lilly Setterdahl, 1992. This one hundred year history of the AUSS includes information on national conventions, divisions, individual choruses, AUSS presidents and directors, concert tours to Sweden, a history of Musiktidning, images, and more. Available at: http://bit.ly/ AUSSdigitalproject

Sound Recordings

Some digitized sound recordings from AUSS Conventions and concerts throughout history. Available at: http://bit.ly/ AUSSdigitalproject

Musiktidning

The digitized official newsletter and journal of the AUSS. First printed in Swedish in 1906, articles began appearing in English with some regularity in the 1940s. By 1955, the paper was mostly in English. When searching the collection, try keywords in both languages. Available at: http://bit.ly/ AUSSdigitalproject

Voedisch Music Collection

See a list of the sheet music available at the Swenson Center from the Bob Voedisch Music Collection. This music collection is part of the archival collection, but a separate inventory is listed. Inventory available at: http://bit.ly/ voedisch

Photograph Inventory

The Swenson Center holds over 500 photographs of AUSS members and concert images from the 1890s onward. Available is an inventory of these photographs. Inventory available at: http://bit.ly/ AUSSphotographs

Other Archives

The Swenson Center holds the official archives of the AUSS. These records include minutes and reports from 1896-2000s, Musiktidning, correspondence, records from individual choruses, records from the divisions, scores of music performed, photographs, and some sound recordings. See a list of all the records available. To access materials, contact the Swenson Center. List available at: http://bit.ly/ AUSSarchives

PROVIDING SUPPORT

Music Scholarship

The Foundation administers an annual scholarship, given to a deserving college student, or students, with, preferably, a major in music or, secondly, a minor in music. Click here for Music Scholarship details.

Financial Support

The Cultural Heritage Foundation helps AUSS choruses with grants to each group. The Foundation also contributes to each convention to help defray expenses. And, to encourage growth of the AUSS, the CHF also makes grants to new choruses.

Click here for Grant Application for AUSS choruses

Click here for the Special Purpose Grant Application for AUSS choruses

ACCEPTING DONATIONS

If you enjoy Scandinavian music, and would like to support Scandinavian choruses, AUSS song conventions, tours, and new start-up choruses, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to this worthy cause. You don’t have to be a member of the AUSS to support the CHF! Tack så mycket!

Mail a check along with this Donate to the CHF to the CHF address on the form.

Other Opportunities to Support the CHF:

  • Lifetime membership for $1,000.
  • Lump sum gift of equities (stock, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) cash, or valuables.
  • Multi-year pledge (three to five year) of equities or cash.
  • Designated beneficiary on life insurance policy or remainder of IRA 401(k) or similar retirement fund or trust instrument.
  • Designate the CHF as the beneficiary in a charitable remainder trust.