Children of God Oratorio History

This series, arranged by topic, presents an overview of the oratorio’s conception, development, and performances.  Detailed historical accounts written by Clara Chassell Cooper, which she presented as speeches or submitted for magazine publication, are included here. Newspaper and magazine clippings, including a magazine article by Rolf Hovey, also provide in-depth information on the oratorio.

Press releases, campus announcements, other promotional items, performance programs and program drafts, and photos are contained in this series. Also included are copyright documents; biblical quotation guidelines from the National Council of Churches; biographical information on Thor Johnson and Normand Lockwood; copies of some of Lockwood’s other choral scores; Cooper’s administrative notes on oratorio details; and Cooper’s notes and outlines for presentations she gave on the creative process involved in developing the libretto.

Arranged by person as well as chronologically, this series contains correspondence regarding various aspects of the oratorio’s development and performances. The material covers a time span from 1953 to 1980.