Title
Subject
Description
Program for a television special shown Monday, Dec. 4, 1868, hosted by Ralph Bellamy. Includes photos of performers, historical notes and the score for "Illinois Sings" a song written by Frank McNulty.
Creator
Publisher
Date
Contributor
Format
Language
Identifier
Coverage
Transcription
ILLINOIS SINGS
A Sesquicentennial of history and song starring 13 Prairie State musical groups and Chicago-born Ralph Bellamy
A COLOR TELEVISION SPECIAL presented by ILLINOIS BELL TELEPHONE MONDAY, DEC. 4 9 to 10 P.M.
ILLINOIS SINGS
A salute to our state: 150 years young!
Host Ralph Bellamy and talented young people of Illinois team up for a musical spotlight on our state. What better way to begin our Sesquicentennial celebration than by a song-filled visit to the landmarks of our heritage--rich farm lands...colorful waterways...proud cities where sturdy frontiersmen, bold leaders and dream-filled immigrants shaped the Prairie State into today's vital community.
Illinois Bell Telephone is proud to present this color television special produced by WBKB-TV, Chicago. Filmed at 11 locations around our state, this second Illinois Sings focuses on the past, present and promise of our state.
Ralph Bellamy, distinguished for his stage, screen, television and radio performances, began his acting career with a young group that played in Chicago-area schools, churches, theatres, tents and any other place which would hold an audience.
The title song, composed for the show by WBKB-TV's Frank McNulty, rings with pride in our state. You'll find your copy of "Illinois Sings" at the center of this booklet.
Tune in Illinois Sings on these stations Monday, Dec. 4, 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Champaign/Danville, WICD Channel 15 Chicago, WBKB-TV [Channel] 7 Harrisburg, WSIL-TV [Channel] 3 Moline/Rock Island WHBF-TV [Channel] 4 Peoria WIRL-TV [Channel] 19 Quincy WGEM-TV [Channel] 10 Rockford WREX-TV [Channel] 13 Springfield/Decatur WICS [Channel] 20
Host Ralph Bellamy (left) takes you through 150 exciting years of history that come alive through the scenes and music of Illinois Sings.
At the George Power farm near Cantrall--where Lincoln tried his first law case--the Glenwood Singers of Glenwood High School, Chatham (below) get ready for the first state fair of 1853. Their song is "Springfield Fair."
On the front Cover
Member of the Stephen Decatur High School Honor Choir sing out the promise and accomplishments of the Prairie State with the show's title song. This Decatur group was filmed at the Pleasant Plains farm of John W. Lehman and at Springfield.
ILLINOIS SINGS
From The WBKB-TV Production "Illinois Sings"
Words and Music by Frank McNulty (ASCAP)
Allegro Piano Verse
When you talk about a state with lots of history, There's a state that beats 'em all, and it's no mystery; It's the prairie state by name and it won its way to fame, No finer place to be. Illinois.
We've got corn, soybeans, livestock, and fertile land--We've got railroads, airlines, waterways at our command; So, if ever you're in doubt what we've got to sing about, [shouted]Take a look! at Illinois and see.
Copyright 1967 by Frank McNulty
Chorus
Illinois sings! Illinois sings! From the cities, the busy highways, to the country, the country by-ways, You'll hear a voice that rings out loud and clear, Illinois is a state with a promise, Where good and plenty abound; You can bet that we're proud of, The state we belong to, sing a song to: Illinois Sings! Illinois Sings! To the nation, to all creation, we proudly sing its praises. Let's make those rafters ring lift up your head and sing out! Illinois, let's hear those voices ring out! Illinois, come on and sing, Illinois Sings!
The 150 voices of the Plainfield High School Grand Choir (above) ring with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" as Illinois Sings takes you to Lincoln's tomb in Springfield.
Throughout its 150-year history, Illinois has attracted rugged pioneers. Recreating a scene of early settler days are Park Ridge's Len Dressler and Mrs. John Carroll of Springfield, singing the century-old folk song, "El-A-Noy." Illinois Sings also travels to the sylvan beauty of Morton Arboretum to salute the strong immigrants who brought their proud cultures here. Gay old-world costumes contrast the Arboretum greens as the Guilford High School Swedish Folk Dancers from Rockford and Chicago ethnic groups with German, Polish and Irish cultures perform national dances. Judy Birr, Chicago's Luther High School North, sings "Wiegenlied" (Brahm's Lullaby) in German.
Chicago was "open house to the world" during the 1893 Columbian Exposition--today landmarked by the Museum of Science and Industry, the remaining building from the fair and "stage set" for (left) the Clef Dwellers of Quincy High School's "Gay '90s Medley."
The showboat also had its day in Illinois. Step aboard as the Louisiana Brass--a six-man Dixieland band from New Trier High School, Winnetka (right)--play "That's A Plenty."
Illinois' role in wars is a proud part of its history. The Civil War's "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" is played smartly by the 88-student Richwoods High School Band of Peoria. And you've never heard "Anchors Aweigh" carried off better than the version by the Blue-jacket Choir of Great Lakes (left).
Today in Illinois is as exciting as its history. Pretty Lucie Cook (above) of Table Grove's V.I.T. Community High School sings "A Wonderful Day Like Today" as she enjoys the rides at Western Illinois County Fairgrounds in Griggsville. Swinging along the girders of a high rise, Robert Aseltine, Glenbard East High School of Lombard, sings "Before The Parade Passes By."
Films of both the first and second Illinois Sings programs will be loaned without charge to clubs, church, civic and school groups soon after the second program is telecast. A third film capturing the qualities of our state--"The Promise"--is also free to groups who want to show it. Please contact your Illinois Bell Telephone business office to arrange bookings.
Illinois Bell Telephone Part of the Nationwide Bell System