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United Arts Alliance sings the praises of Severing

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Richard Severing works with a group of choral singers at UW-Rock County on 02-11-10. Severing is being inducted in the United Arts Alliance Hall of Fame this year.

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Carl Balson

JANESVILLE — Dick Severing has devoted his life to music.

“Music is life to me. Without it, I’m not sure there’s much of a reason to continue. It expresses everything that we cannot say in words,” he said.

Severing, 65, of Janesville is talented in a variety of musical disciplines—from playing various instruments to composing, teaching and leading. For his contributions to the arts in Rock County, he’ll be inducted March 14 into the United Arts Alliances’ 2009 Arts Hall of Fame.

When told of the honor, Severing said he “was overwhelmed, humbled and surprised.”

Those who know how Rock County has benefited from Severing’s artistic endeavors were not surprised.

“Dick has impacted the lives of countless persons in the immediate area,” one nomination reads.

He has served as vocal music director at Lake Mills High School and later as vocal music director and music department chair at Delavan-Darien High School. Today he conducts the Choral Union, is music director of the choir/music program at Cargill United Methodist Church in Janesville and lecturer of music at UW-Rock County.

Severing considers working with community choral music as his biggest accomplishment to the growth and health of the arts.

“There’s a real reward working with people that are not professionally trained and taking them to a point that they feel good about what they have done. None of these groups I’ve worked with are by audition. They welcome everyone of all abilities and ages,” he said.

Susan Blumer—voice professor, choral director, vocal coach and organist/accompanist inducted into UAA’s Hall of Fame last year—said this about Severing: “Without Dick’s love, concern and commitment, Choral Union might never have survived. His influence is felt in so many aspects of music in this community. He is a gem, which we all should treasure.”

The Choral Union started more that 125 years ago at Milton College.

It focuses on major choral works from composers such as Bach and Vaughan Williams. It has even tackled difficult modern composers such as John Rutter.

Severing was introduced to music as a boy by his father, who would play violin while Severing played guitar.

“We would do all kinds of folk songs, pop songs and songs from the 40s. That was just a wonderful time in my life,” he said.

Even so, Severing said he has had to work hard at being successful with music.

“I’m not gifted like some people who sit down and play piano really well. I have to work on it,” he said.

However, Jeff Suarez, associate professor of music at U-Rock, considers Severing a pillar of the Rock County music community.

“He is knowledgeable when it comes to choir and vocal music and with many other aspects of music, including philosophy of teaching, music of the 20th century and historical performance practices. He is doing an exemplary job of improving the choir program (at U-Rock).”

Severing said he enjoys teaching so much he has no plans of ever giving up classroom work, at least not until he can’t do it anymore.

“It’s so invigorating. It seems I learn something new everyday,” he said.

Pam and George Kiskunas, who have worked with Severing in the Cargill United Methodist Church Choir, sang Severing’s praises.

“His passion for music is contagious to all that have the privilege of working with him. He is a kind, humble person who gives from his heart and soul the music, which runs deep within him. We are honored to write this (nomination) letter to salute Severing, who gives endlessly to this community through his musical gifts.”

Pioneer of the arts also being honored

Known as a pioneer in the Rock County arts community, Carl Balson of Beloit meets all criteria to be eligible for 2009 induction into the Arts Hall of Fame, wrote the Beloit Civic Theatre Board of Directors in its nomination letter.

The selection committee obviously agreed and will induct Balson, along with Richard “Dick” Severing, on March 14 for significant contributions to the growth and well being of the arts in Rock County.

Balson, 77, “has lived most of his life in Rock County and has created, taught, produced, presented, volunteered for and actively supported the arts,” said the board’s letter.

In 1956, Balson began working at Beloit College as a professor of theater arts, director of both the audiovisual services department and of the language lab, parliamentarian for the Academic Senate and director of the college radio station and Beloit Access Cable Television. An Actors Equity union member, Balson also performed in shows at the New Court Theatre, Beloit, and at the New American Theater, Rockford, Ill.

“His passion for theater has been an inspiration to me as an actor, director and theater teacher,” wrote Barry Nyquist of Rockford, Ill., in his nomination letter. “I’m a much better theater person for knowing him.”

One of Balson’s greatest loves was working with students; including many who achieved notoriety through their stage, TV, film and broadcasting careers.

“Carl was a fine teacher both of theater and broadcasting and has many students now doing magnificent work across the country,” wrote Jane Threinen, a Beloit College alumna, in her nomination letter.

Donna Thorson, costume designer at Beloit College who worked with Balson until his retirement in 1998, agreed.

“Students and faculty loved Carl,” she wrote.

Balson was a magician and member of the International Order of Magicians, a sought-after emcee for community programs and service groups, was well known for his work in community theater and played in the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.

Balson continues to serve on the Beloit Civic Theater and Beloit Public Library boards of directors.