Kelsey, Verne, 1897-1982
Person
Dates
- Existence: July 12, 1897 to June 17, 1982
Biographical
Verne Kelsey was born on July 12, 1897 at Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Maplewood Academy in Minnesota for two years, and another two at Sheyenne River Academy in North Dakota, finishing in 1917. Kelsey had a natural talent for music, but his father’s church school teacher salary was not enough to afford lessons. Therefore, he received little early formal musical training. He was largely self-taught. Pursuing a music career, Kelsey moved to San Francisco, California, in the early 1920s, becoming acquainted with many musicians who nurtured his talent.
In 1929 Kelsey was called to teach at Canadian Junior College in Alberta, where, because of his independent study, he was able to pass degree examinations from the Toronto Conservatory of Music and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London.
From 1933 to 1943, Kelsey and his wife, Irma, worked in various conferences in the United States doing evangelism and teaching at church schools. In 1944 they moved to Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University), where Kelsey finally received a BA degree in Music and minor in German and Mathematics. He taught at Emmanuel Missionary College until his retirement in 1962, along the way earning a Master of Music (1945) and a Doctor of Fine Arts (1951) from Chicago Musical College.
In 1929 Kelsey was called to teach at Canadian Junior College in Alberta, where, because of his independent study, he was able to pass degree examinations from the Toronto Conservatory of Music and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London.
From 1933 to 1943, Kelsey and his wife, Irma, worked in various conferences in the United States doing evangelism and teaching at church schools. In 1944 they moved to Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University), where Kelsey finally received a BA degree in Music and minor in German and Mathematics. He taught at Emmanuel Missionary College until his retirement in 1962, along the way earning a Master of Music (1945) and a Doctor of Fine Arts (1951) from Chicago Musical College.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Verne Kelsey Papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 50
Content Description
The collection covers much of Kelsey’s life, including his (1) General biographical information, (2) Education, and (3) Career. Also within this collection is Kelsey’s (4) Correspondence, compiled over the years, a large portion of which were with his close friend and musician Hans Moldenhauer. The next section, (5) Writings, contains some of Kelsey’s articles in the College paper, clippings about him, and other writings he compiled. A large portion of this collection is dedicated to Kelsey’s...
Dates:
1897 - 1975